The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1888-07-14
.Sbov this lad 70 HE room John

Show this lad to his room. John"
Ito the servant who has answered. her
ring-'Come down stairs tonight wish
q hundred questions and l promise Ia
answer every one. For the present
adieu." And Ralph True leaves the
room. his face p uzzled. his brow cloud
ed.
Gerry. Pm afraid it's all up with
you now" Harry observes dolefully.
Nonsense. man! Can't you sec
that he is interested alreadyp"
The next day dawns bright and clear
and cold. Gerry informs them nj
breakfast that skating party is to be
formed directly after the meal. All
those not prepared with skates will be
supplied. she says.
Ralph True turns to her. al do not
skate. Will I stay at home?
mo indeed! Poor little boy. Twill
teach you how"
Daisy looks pity from her blue eyes,
and Ralph thinks how rarely pretty
these same eyes are.
"You do" Jerry says. Gomez
And they all rise from the table. An
hour later a merry group is on the riv-
er. Ralph is awkwardly trying to
stand on his skates while his eyes fol-
low little figure. skating alone, some
distance beyond the others.
watch your feet! Look out!" Ger
ry is expostulating, when with cry.
her awkward pupil dashes over the ice
as only an experienced skater can, to
where little figure is struggling in the
water. Gerry forgets her vexation in
her fright for her sister.
"Oh. Daisy. darling! Save her! save
her!' she cries. Ralph True has sue
ceeded in catching long braid of fair
hair, but as willing hands draw her from
the water, he looses his hold and dis
appears in the dark water. Some one
dives for him and saves him, but the
merry party of the morning return to
Hazledene with two unconscious bur-
dens. Ralph is none the worse for his
ducking the next morning, but Daisy
does not come down to the drawing
room until evening. when even then
she looks pale and languid. Ralph
gazes at her as he turns Geraldene's
music, and catching her eye he won
ders why she bushes so prettily and
why she turns away SO quickly.
'Chess?" Gerry rattles on, lido you
play it, True? Let us form set. You
and !, and Mr.. Sage, and-and"
DAISY" Ralph lreplies. The party
is soon formed. but somehow, Gerry
can never tell how, Daisy is Ralph's
partner, while her lot is cast with that
of Mr.. Sage. She looks at Daisy's
dropping face rather angrily, and when
the game ends declaring Ralph and
Daisy victors, she rises with small
grimace and goes over to her mother
at the other side of the room.
"Poor Gerry" Daisy says, COM
passionately. II think that you must
be a wonderful player. Mr.. True.
Gerry always wins at any game she
ever tries.'
'.Does shep" Ralph quizzes, sit will
do her good to get left sometimes.
Come cut Miss Daisy, and see the
Hudson by moo might. Do you feel
able?"
When they return sets are forming
for dance.
'Come," Gerry's clear voice cries.
I want you. True"
Ralph crosses to her side. "You
dancer
mo, do not"
"How am I to know but what you
are deceiving me like you did yester-
dayP"
Take my word for it"
won't you dance this set with
mep'
I'll walk through It.
.W-e.-l," doubtfully.
Never was Gerry so provoked.
Never was Ralph so delighted. They
manage to get through, somehow. and
when the music ceases, Ralph pauses
with a laugh.
do you like to dance with me-
Miss Gerryp'
'Nor' she cries. 60 away! hate
your
He walks away to little figure al
most lost in a great chair BY the open
CRATE.
"Will you dance the next with mep"
he asks.
Yes"
'Did you see how very awkwardly
I stepP"
Eyes. But I'm not afraid"
Geraldine looks after them in
amazement as they float past her.
.'Sold again." she murmurs. "What
in the world am I to do with such
MANI"
The days fly by. If person could
have judged as to the success of the
wager by the fact that Ralph and
Geraldine were often together, then,
indeed, Harry is in fair way to win.
Each excursion planned; each game
played; each tableau; each theatrical;
these two are partners. The fact that
quiet Daisy is often with them. too,
does not seem to count Harry is puz-
zled. And Gerry, herself, has to confess
that at last she has met man who
does not make love to her after one
weeks acquaintance. The friends who
are in the secret look on with interest,
not knowing who will win that most
unfortunate wager. They are plann ng
a masquerade bali
Each guest is to keep his own coun-
sci and not let a person know what
character he intends to personate.
Such mystery. such locked doors. such
secrets. as reign FOR week before the
eventful evening arrives, is wonderful