The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1888-05-03

SO1U Uluo eyes SpiEkleO Will cXCltG-
ment, the pale flush of her cheek deep
ened into rose, and Carlos, who saw
and read Alright the changes other face,
turned and walked sullenly away.
Belle, half intent ON revenging her.
self, half sincere in her admiration of
Ralph, passed the next two days very
much to her own satisfaction. Then
somebody, perhaps Carlos himself,
wrote Carlos to come and spend q few
weeks, nobody knew precisely where,
and Carlos went. The effect on Belle
was disastrous. When shefound that
he was really gone, she rushed at once
to Viva Harrington, her cousin.
ooh, Viva! he's gone! he's really
gone!"
"Who's gone!" said Viva, looking
up coolly from the sofa on which she
was lying.
"WhywCarlos!"
Belle threw herself on the floor near
Viva and leaned her head on the So
fa's edge.
II am perfectly miserable!"
"Why? you ask. Didn't I tell you
Carlos was gomez"
"Don't you mean. Lieut.. Austin?"
"No. Idon't! Tiresome thing!"
But whether this last referred to vi
via or the lieutenant this deponent
knoweth not.
"Who is tiresome-Carlos?" asked
Viva. "Well, Pm glad you have
your eyes open at last. I always
did think him prosy."
"Prosy! He's no such thing-he's
entertaining, and agreeable, and witty,
and lively, and fascinating, and the
dearest fellow in the world, and
haven't treated him WE'LL know !
haven't"
VIVA smiled scornfully.
"You should have thought OF that
sooner"
81 know I should. you hard-heart.
ed, cruel thing-but he did flirt with
Rose Kenyon, and 1 vas 81 angry! ]
wish / was dead!"
Just then came a tap at the door.
It was Ellen, Bellies maid.
"'Lieut. Austin wants to know if he
can see you, Miss Belle. Hesaidsome-
thing about being ordered off sudden
ly."
"Tell him I will be down in a mo-
ment, Ellen"
Viva said nothing, but she looked
volumes; but that didn't disturb
Belle. She gave a touch to her hair,
another to her eyebrows, shook out
the dress, smoothed her morning
skirt, settled her cuffs, and went down
to the drawing-room where Ralph was
%nervously waiting for her.
II am ordered off, Miss Belle" was
his first salutation. II must 60 with
in the hour"
ooh, dear, Lieut.. Austin, what can
we do without you?" +
"Will you care?" he said softly and
eagerly.
"Care? Why Of course I shall!
We shall all miss you."
Ralph seized her hand and carried
it to his slips.
"Belle, will you write to me?"
eyes, yes! Good-bye!" And Belle,
who really had the conscience to
be ashamed of herself, burst away
from his OBTAINING grasp. and ran to
her usual resource in time of trouble
Viva Farrington-and: ooh, what
shall I do? He will write to mel
am sure he will" she concluded, in
somewhat hysterical style. "Vivia,
don't sit there as ityou were a block,
but tell me what shall I dor"
"Belle, you are too provoking. You
are not worthy of either the lieutan-
ant or Carlos, and I have no patience
to see you playing battledore with
two warm, noble, hearts. II youhave
pink cheeks and yellow hair"
yellow hair!'''' Belle. had borne all
the rest patiently; but. this was too
much. Yellow hair she vas not guilty
Of. It was golden. Every one told
her SO. -
Viva, you are outrageous-my
hair isn't yellow, and you RI envious
because you wanted Ralph Austin for
yourself" And Belle sailed majestic
ally out Of the room, and unbosolned
herself no further to Viva harrington.
She was not happy, though, even in
the reception Of letters once or twice
q week from Lieut.. Austin; q blush
burned guiltily on her cheek when
joked about them, and she would let
no one post her letters for her. After
three weeks Carlos came back. he
was looking pale and worn-5y no
means the better for his trip.
She met Carlos with the protest lit
tie air III the world. II WAS not re-
pentant, it was not submissive, but it
argued strongly Of both. But in the
Midst Of her conversation there came
IN interruption.
There's aletter from the lieutenant,
Miss Belle. Jim, his man, brought it
on, miss, and begs a thousand par
dons because he couldn't come here
and deliver it last night"
Belle blushed a burning red as she
stretched out her hand for the letter,