The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-05-12
THE ROSE OF TUOLUMNE.
A NEW STORY BY BRET HARTE.

From the New York Times.
She gave him feverish kiss, and glided
back into the parlor, leaving Mr.. McClosky
perplexed and irresolute with the note in
his hand. He glanced at it hurriedly and
saw that it was couched in almost the very
words he had suggested. But a sudden ap-
prehensive recollection came over him; he
listened, and with an exclamation of dismay
he seized his hat and ran out of the house.
But too late; at the same moment a quick,
nervous footstep was heard upon the
with a light laugh of greeting Ridgeway
stepped into the room.
Jenny's finer ear first caught the STEP
Jenny's swifeer feelings had sounded the
depths Of hope, of joy, of despair, before he
entered the room. Jenny's pale face was
the only one that met his, self-possessed and
selfreliant when he stood before them. An
angry flush suffused even the pink roots of
RANGES beard as he rose to his feet; an
Ominous fire sprung into Ridgeway's eyes,
and a spasm of hate and scorn passed over
the lower part of his face and left the mouth
and jaw immovable and rigid.
Yet he was the first TO speak. 81 owe you
an apology" hesaid to Jenny, with a savue
scern that brought the indignant blood back
to her cheek, "for this intrusion, but / ask
no pardon for withdrawing from the only
spot where that man dare confront me with
safety"
With an exclamation of rage, Rance sprang
toward him. But as quickly Jenny stood
between them, erect and menacing. "There
must be no quarrel here, :" she said to Rance.
"Wbile / protect your right as my guest,
don't oblige me to remind You of mine as
your hostess" She turned with half-de-
l.sax
So was her father. Only Rance remained,
with look of ilt-concealsd triumph on his
face.
Without looking at him she passed toward
the door. When she reached 1t she turned.
You asked me a question an hour ago.
Come to me in the garden at nine O'Clock
to night and will answer you. But prom
Use me first to keep away from Mr.. Dent;
give me your word not to seek him-to
avoid him if be seeks you. Do you prom
Use? 1t is well7'
he would have taken her hand, but she
waved him away. In another moment be
heard the swift rustic of her dress in the
hall, the sound of her feet upon the stair, the
sharp closing of her b broom door, and all
was quiet.
And even thus quietly the day wore away,
and the night rose slowly from the valley
and overshadowed the mountains with pur-
pie wings that famed the still air into a
breeze, until the moon followed it and lulied
everything to rest as with the laying on OF
white and benedictory hands. 1t was a lovely
night, but Henry Rance, waiting impatiently
beneath a sycamore ut the foot of the gar
den, saw no beauty in earth or air or sky. A
thousand suspicious common to jealous
n ,ture, vague superstition of the spot.
nled his mind with distrust and doubt. "If
t lis should be trick to keep my hands off
nat insolent pup!" he mpttered, but even,
as the thought passed his tongue, a white
figure slid from the shrubbery near the
house, glided along the line of picket fence,
and then stopped, midway, motionless in
the moonlight.
TWAS She But he scarcely recognized her
in the white drapery that covered her head,
and shoulders, and breast. He approached
her with hurried whisper. Let us with
draw from the moonlight. Everybody can
see US here" 4u
said in the moonlight, Henry Rance" she
replied, coldly receding from his profered
hand. She trembled for moment, as If with
chill, and then suddenly turned upon him:
Hold up your head and let me look atyou!
I've known only what men are; let me see
what traitor looks likep'
He recoiled more from her white face than
her words. He saw for the first time that her
hollow cheeks and hollow eyes were blazing
with fever. He was no coward, but he would
have fed.
"You are i'll. Jenny" he said; you had best
return to the house. Another time"
"Stopi" she cried hoarsely; ''move from
this spot and III call for help! Attempt to
leave me now and I'll proclaim you the as
sassin that you are"
at was fair fight" he said, doggedly.
"Was it a fair fight to creep behind an un-
armed and unsuspecting man? Was it
fair fight to try to throw suspicion on some
one else? Was it fair fight to deceive me (?
Liar and coward that you arer'
He made stealthy step toward her with
evil eyes, and a wickider hand that crept
within his breast. She saw the motion, but
it only stung her to newer fury.
Ihe< hands,. open before him.