Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-12-31

a beWildered Bless my Soul
Ida explained the situation briefly,
and-be it said to her credit with
perfect good mature; but Uncle Hai-
vey was overcome with remorse.
"What a blunder2' ne circulated.
"Bless me!' how could ! have made
itY"
The idea fitted through his nieces
head that be was precisely the person
most likely to have made it, but she
merely smiled
II mustn't miss my train now, " she
said. ut must be very near time for
it,"
Eyes, yesW rejoined Uncle Harvey.
Certainly. I'll see about it right
away"
His near-sighted eyes, rowing about
the depot, caught sight of an old gen
tleman from Breckenridge, special
friend of his.
"Well, there's Chanting haven't
seen him for a week Just wait till
speak to him moment, and he dart
ed off.
Ida waited five minutes - ten. A
train moved slowly out. Could it
have boon hersl Ida grew nervous.
She knitted her brows, and joined her
uncle.
"Ah, your train my dear, 2" said he,
briskly, as he perceived her. "I'll see
about il"
He started off with business like
air, but came back slowly.
cts gomez he announced, in o
dazed way. went just this minute,
they say. l don't see how it happen
ed; never made such blunder be
fore"
Ids gasped, and stood staring at her
uncle in despairing helplessness
Then, pulling herself together, she
turned to railroad official standing
near, who said glancing at her ticket,
in response to her agitated inquiry,
that the next available train was due
at one.
Two hours and half! But there
was no help for it,
She should not feel safe, however,
till Uncle Harvey was we'll out OF the
way; she felt that he was quite cape-
BILE of leading her into third blum
der. She interrupted his food of
speculations as to how the mistake
could have occurred.
"You mustn't wait far me, you
know" she said, with heroic sweet
ness; land you'd better take your
train, so as to be sure of it. It's al
ready made up"
She took his arm and fairly put
him aboard she saw him select seat
inside and open q paper, and knew
that he had already arrived at a
peaceful Hnconsciousnesso of her very
existence. Then she went into the
waiting room and sat down.
Two hours and a half She would
not be at home till late in the even.
ing, when they would have given
up expecting her What dreadful
day it had been
She wondered that she was still
alive; she wondered whether her hair
would not have turned little gray
by the time she reached home if she
ever did. She leaned hack and closed
her eyes despairingly.
Somehow Arthur Clifford was still
in her mind. She took
up her reflections where she had left
off before. Yes, OF course that was
the explanation-he had congratulate
ed himself upon escaping her. If he
hadn't would he not have asked her
again2 Te-bs-sure he wouldl He
had never cared for her-it was per-
fectly plain Eat he hadn't. 1t was
probable that he had even disliked
her. Well she was glad she had re-
fused him.
Nevertheless she took out her
and wiped a moisture
from her eyes. When she looked up
she gave violent start, and her face
grew brightly red.
Arthur Clifford was standig some
three feet away, and looking directly
at her. EIe came forward immediate
ly and sat down beside her.
Ida bit her lip. But tAe sight of
his friendly face had the odd effect of
lump into her throat and
tears to her eyes, she went and stood
by the window. And Arthur follow
"Oh what is the matter2' he whis-
pered bending anxiously over her,
quite forgetting the fact of her
there in his tender distress.
II don't know" said Ida, looking
up at him timidly through her tears.
That look was too much for the
young man
81 can't help i'll can't help it"
he burst out, II want you'll can't
live without youl There l had
made up my mind never to trouble
you again"
He looked down at her.
ooh, you don't care for me2' he
cried, rather wildly. Say itp
Eyes do" said Ida, firmly.
For there was no longer doubt in
her mind on that point.
There was little silence. The
hand-clasp, which in the publicity of
the place was all that could be ex-
seemed woefHlly inadequate
you haven't asked me how l came
here" said the girl, perhaps to cover
the humping of her heart; and she
related her misfortunes eloquently,
II ought to sympathize, said her
1oryar az ought IN hn t,nljtalu sorry