Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1888-01-07
A W0MAH'S STORY.


cioven at intervals ny Rulien nasnes
OF lightning. The fisher folk had haul
ed high on the sands such lighter craft
as had lanGuidly fringed the shore a
few hours before.
The party OF people at the Ker cot.
tage had broken up and divided itself.
Most OF the ladies had taken refuge in
doors. The more adventurous who
had remained without sat silently
watching the sea.
"Storms in this region are so severe"
moaned lady at Frank Pendleton's
side. He was leaning in the open win
dow.
"You are not afraid-not nervous7"
asked the Count de la Croix's deep
voice OF some one in the gloom.
mo-" said Gwendolen Ker's clear
distinct tones in reply.
Frank moved little.
"Oh, Mr.. Pendletonl Won't you
close the Window" pleaded the lady
next him.
A binding fash rent the air, and
simultaneously with it came deafen-
ing peal. The ladies gave one shrek
and flew into the adjoining and inner
room. A rush of wind, which futtered
all the curtains, blew out some can
dies IN a sconce. A lamp fared.
Frank, Fastening to it, turned it rap.
idly. The next moment he found him
self in darkness.
He approached the window again.
The flashes were growing more fre.
quent. Peal followed peal. The wind
and the sea were rising. The name
less apprehension which had weighed
upon him all day, joined with this
disturbance of all the elements, set
the young mans usually steady
nerves quiverinR. No sound came
from the v0randa now. He thought
that all must have entered the house
in the confusion few moments ago.
Even as the thought crossed his
mind steady glare illumined the in
closed space before him with the clear
ness of day. Every object stood out.
gDE AllG glhhll Va dti eye elNN
distinct. A hand seemed to clutch at
Frank Pendlrton's heart. He had seen
the man who called himselfD la CroIx
as he leaned forward from the railing
against winch he stood. He had seen
the dark. keen, aquiline profile. the up
per part of the long, supple body, bent
toward the low chair where the con-
tour OF woman's form was sharply
outlined in black in the BLUSH light.
And he had seen Gwendolen's up.
turned face-with such C look upon it
as burned itself into his soul.
That night dire tragedy befell the
house OF ker. Its only daughter dis
appeared.
Mr.. Ker caused every blind to be
closed as though for death. To the
distracted mother he gavea command
never again, in his presence, to speak
his daughters name.
All the inheritance which should
have been hers was willed away into
other channels. Ard Gwendelon ker
for years an heiress, ''leader." the
queen. md beauty OF every gathering,
the darling Of these two proud old
people-after bearing the opprobriun1
az nine days wonder and sc andal
dropped out of the life that had
known her ms completely as though
death had passed over her roof and
claimed her for hrs own.
A ball was being given to night at
the house Of high official. To q
young North American lately arrived
in this South American republic q
naval officer and compatriot had ex
tended an invitation procured al
headquarters.
"Oh, you must come, Pendleton, y
urged the officer You will see somt
queer people and some queer Gus
toms"
Frank went.
1t was a crowded ball. There were
a number OF uniforms which gave iiE,
and brlliance to the scene, and q
number of pretty women, with deadly
white skins and black eyes which
seemed very expressive until they had
been looked at twice or thrice. But
the occasion seemed lacking in ANNA
ton. Or was it that to his Iadec
spirits all things now failed to appea
strongly.
Standing at one end of the Ions
room he became nervously conciou'
after a time OF glance fixed intently
upon HIM. He had always been very
sensitive to such impressions. HI
finally turned uneasily, and his eyes
met the direct gaze of woman u
white with quantity OF diamond;
shining about her.
He stood still while one might count
five. Then he crossed the room.
al was wondering whether yoI
would come" said clear, never.to
be forgotten voice. "You did mo-
seem to be enjoying yourself owe
there. Don't you like our style of en-
tertainments? j thought ] would lool
at YOU very steadily few moment;
and see il you would feel it and turn
remember OF yore your peeu.iarit!
in that respect.
The woman was at her ease, but TIN
man could not find 3 word. An'
when at last lie spoke it was to sa!
what most he would have liked &
have left unsaid.
40 think OF meeting you like this
Gwendolen,"
The old familiar name by which h
had called her since childhood ESCAPED
from his lips unawares.
The first faint trace of color swep
over her still, white, magnliicently
regular face.
"Don't he dramatic, Frank, VIII,
should you be? And don't rakeup tn
past. Have you seen my husban,
yet? There he is talking to the hand
some woman in yellow.
~ see Count de la Croix, yes, "