Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1888-03-17

picious, but that seemed very long time
ago now. He had improved wonderfully of
late days: there were little traits of charac-
ter, of frankness, earnestnesG, generosity, one
could almost admire, but | was not going to
tell him so though he waited patiently as if
he expected something of the kind. As if
men were not vain enough in themselves,
without being told Of their accomplishments!
''You would not like anybody to say that
but yourself" | said, however; and it was
1 remark which did not commit me to any
/ thing.
"No should knock him down, prob
ably he replied, Especially if it were the
captain or that railway goods inspector fel-
low"
"Don't you like them?" asked innocently.
''Do your he rejoined.
'They are old friends, almost"
"You don't make your dodgers your
friendsl" he remarked.
'Not always"
~ should think not" he said, very scorn-
fully now.
''But these two gentlemen knew me when
was little girl"
"Ah. that makes difference, suppose;
that's why they are both so fond of you," he
added, with sigh.
Fond Of ne!'
You might marry either Of them to-mor-
row, if you cared to hold up your little
finger; can see that"
"What nonsensel"
''Oh, it's true enough, 4" he cried
laughed
"Then shan't hold up my little finger"
"That's right" he said; and he actually
drew long, deep breath, as though it relieve
| him to hear Inc say no; ''for that captains
pompous old noodle-a selfish party, who
stuck to my telescope whole week-and tht
railway man would fidget any woman out o.
her life in fortnight"
"Whats the matter with him"
| ''Hes an old woman, that's all"
"Upon my honor, you are very uncompl-
nentary in your verdict upon my dodgers. :"
81 hate your keeping lodging house, '" he
muttered
''My poverty and not my will consents" I
answered.
He was very silent for a long time now.
! The visitors had hurried homeward, or had
sought shelter like ourselves, the band had
ceased playing, the rain was coming down in
| earnest.
May ask a favor of you before I go back
to London~ he said suddenly and very
hoarsely.
"What is it,"
| "Will you say 'yes'T'
mot till l know what it is about" re.
! Piled, with spirit certainly not"
"Well, then," he cried, ''don't give me-
back that little bird carved. You said You
would, and it has been preying on my mind
that it will come flying back some day when
| least expect it and SO upset me terribly. I
want it hanging on your wall, to remind you
of me sometimes, you know; being bird
| like me, you see, it must. And though our
acquaintance did not commence auspiciously,
| still you have forgotten and forgiven,
haven't your
-yes-almost."
"And you'll keep that little carvingg"
! perhaps l will"
"Bless you, Jane-Miss Neild, mean.
! And now"-
! was getting alarmed at his vehemence,
and very much afraid Of what he would say
next. jumped up.
81 think will go home to Lily. She's all
alone, poor girl"
| "But it's raining cats and dogs"
81 don't mind the rain, and I'm fond of
cats and dogs" l said, tripping from the
shelter and struggling to open the umbrella
which Lily had lent to me.
"You have caught cold in the rain before
now" he said, dryly; "do stop few minutes
longern
"No,"I said, shaking my head, 81 would
rather not"
"Here, let me manage that thing for you,
then" he said, making dash at the umbrella,
opening it and holding it above my head, "if
you must run away; but you'll get very wet.
''Tve got my waterproof
eyes, but-oh, Lordr'
"What is the matter" exclaimed, as he
turned very red and white just as had seen
him on the fort only now he looked at me as
if were a ghost and my spectral appearance
had frightened him.
He did not reply at once, and cried
"Oh, what is the matter2 Aren't you well?
Won't you tell mes'
"Its all right; that is shall be all right
in a minute, he answered, i'll quite a new and
hard tone of voice; don't mind me-"
''What can it bes"
81 tell you it's nothing, Miss Neild;" he
said. "Don't take any notice of me, please.
had rather you didn't
1t was strange request, but l did not. !
maintained rigid silence, being little net
tied presently at his own silent movements at
my side, his steady stare ahead of him, the
stern expression on his face. He marched
along in so grave and dumb a fashion at last
that / could have slapped his face for him.
What did he mean by such behavior, won
deredl At the end of the jetty he brought
my heart into my mouth by suddenly roaring
OUT
"No, I'll never believe It'll It's magic, it's
lying dream, it's anything but this! can't
believe it of you; I'd rather jump into the
sea than think OF it for another moment"
"Think whats Good gracious! why don't
you tell mep'
"Think that you have deceived me all the
time You, too, of all the lot of them!"
"What have done, Mr. Birdp'
"This--this umbrella" he cried.
! 'WellW
'It-it's the umbrella dropped down your
area My fathers present; l can swear to it
anywhere They're my initials on that silver
collar, 'G. B. Oh! heaven and earth, to
fancy for one instant that you-Miss Neild,
I am going raying mad. Look at it, look
at It'll"