Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1885-01-16
HER C0NQUER0R.


would make them burn aud glimmer
with radiant glory at its first powerful
awakening.
Small wonder that men whose pulses
qu1vered at another's approach should
quicken as she drew near: that hearts
which beat so eooliy and steadily year
alter year throbbed with sudden un-
detinable feeling when she passed by.
Wherever sh,' moved, Ethel Burcome
seemed to she'd come subtle influence
ins)regnating erery masculine heart
with its strange intoxicating magnetism.
Wearied with the triumph3 Of :he win.
ter she had come to this little seaside
retreat, to the home of q former school.
mate named Vernon.
"Here at least can rest" she said
one day as she lay swinging in the pref.
ty hammock Mr.. Vernon had fastened
up between the rocks, within favorite
shelter by the sea.
II ana not so sure of that" laughed
Miss Vernon, glancing up from rather
shapeless mass of crewel work she was
idly endeavoring to disentangle.
why 80, dear Nell?' surely you
wouldn't expect one to conform to the
fashionable seaside custom of three tot.
lets day simply because that miserable
brother OF yours has threatened to visit
Us, and may drop down from the sky on
the station any hour within the next
tWeDty-four?"
"Ah, but do, Ethel. I don't want
to be ashamed of you. That old wrap.
per will do very we'll for Dick and my.
self, but would look horribly dowdy to
welcome visitor in.'
'But what if don't intend to vel.
come him-to see him, or have nvthine
to dowith him?"
II can't see how you will avoid it,
with such a contrary servant as ha ve
now no three meals day will be car
RED to anybody's room-of that am
certain. And unless Elliot will take bis
breakfast before you are up, his lunch
doors, l don't see how you can avoid
meeting him at meal times, not to men
ton other hours Of the day when you
will be sure to stumble on each other"
The discussion grew SO animated that
the whistle Of the afternoon train was
unneeuea. Ethel insisted on the nee
essity Of packing up Immediately; NJ rs.
Vernon as strongly insisted upon her
remaining.
"Don't.De foolish, dear; I was only
Joking. Probably Elliot is such con.
Grmed bachelor that he never gives q
woman's toilet an instant's consideration
now. He is not 80 formidable-only six
feet two in his stockings. You needn't
be 50 terribly alarmed at the thought OF
him, when the sight Of him didn't
trouble you very much once I fancy"
A fain! dush came over the proud,
handsome face; the eyelids dropped for
very shame that the woman opposite,
though her very best and since rest
friend, should know her secret. Years
before they had met, but she imagined
chat few knew Of that meeting. Eagerly,
rashly, Internationally he had sur
rendered, and Ethel--wrapped in
dreams Of conquest such as had never
entered the head of q female Alexander
disdained this easy victory, and cast the
the ynn9uishad from her.
Now he was coming Of his own accord
as firm in his consciousness OF power
and strength as she had once been in
hers; coming when he knew that the
object Of his first and only passion was
an inmate Of the home he had chosen
for bis summer abode. Ii he could thus
venture undismayed into the presence
OF one who formerly welded such a
subtle spell over his love dimmed senses,
why did her heart-whose beatings
hereto fore had never caused her the
slightest loss of appetite, or a moments
sleep at midnight-commeIlc to beat so
unanimously tn It she glanced timidly
down TO see if the snowy rufHes on her
bosom were ever SO lightly stirred by
the newlv-felt emotions within.
IF CO." she thought, she will be vain
enough to think cared SO much for him
--rceented of what said"
WELL said Mrs. Vernon, giving up
ul hope Of Strengthening out the obsti-
nate crewel work, you'll remain, I
guess. You needn't dress for dinner if
You don't choose to-do just exactly as
you like"
You may be sure OF that!" exclaimed
the girl, in such sharp, petulant tone
that Mrs. Vernon, in the large amount
OF experience which she managed to &C.
emulate during twenty years social con-
tlict with the world, OWNED at once how
the land laid.
Size wisely restrained her inclination
to torment her guest On the sudden
change of position which the couple had
suddenly assumed, and, taking E.thels
arm, slowly 10 / the way to the house.
Mr.. Vernon met them st the gate
81 suppose you know E!liot's here?"
no began.
'Why, ne; when did be Gomez" asked
Mrs. Vernon, feeling very perceptible
tremor creep along the arm on which
her hand was still resting.
'Came on the three o'clock train
didn't youlhear it? No fault Of the whistle
ifyou didn't. Blew loud enough to wake
me out OF the best nap I've had for I
don't know how long,"
"Where is he now?"
''Gone to the billiard room to have a
smoke, and won't be down till d inner.
Feels tired, be says. Well, We'll 90 up
stairs too. Come, Ethel" at the door
of her room Mrs. Vernon left her, and
hurried on to her own.
Dinner time came. The newly arrived
guest had exchanged greetings with her
sister and taken his place at her right
hand, and Mr.. Vernon had long ago
served the soup and fish, and the soli-
tary servant was coming in with the
chicken when Ethel entered, carelessly
brushing back the heavy velvet portiere
as she stepped oyer the threshold.
No longer in the wrapper of muslin
and lace which she had:hitherto been too
INDECENT to lay aside for the evening
meal, but radiant in dark crimson silk,
lilies Of the valley nesting in her gold
en- hair,
The handsome face opposite lit up for
one brief moment with a sudden
gleam Of involuntary admiration
which Ethels eyes were
not quick enough to catch; then voice