The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-05-18
CHAPTER V.

| CHAPTER V.
John, when he takes his place al
the breakfast table, seems to have re-
covered his equanimity; he even ap-
pears to be in an apologetic frame OF
mind.
ii am afraid you must think me a
dreadful bear, Miss Wolstencroft, he
says, addressing Robin. II never
even thanked you for the flowers this
morning; yeti do appreciate your kind
ness in arranging them"
II don't want any thanks" answers
Robin little brusquely. "Of course
| know 1t was very officious of me. l
don't suppose l should ever have
thought of taking them to your room,
only Blanche was constantly impress
ing it on me that it was forbidden
ground"
"An excellent reason for your visit, -
remarks John, trife sarcastically.
"a truly feminine reason" declares
Robin. '.She excited my curiosity.
There was something so delightfully."-
romantic and fascinating about a for
hidden room"
John gives short laugh.
"H you have taken such a fancy to
the room, he says slowly and thought
fully, II will leave it unlocked at night,
SO that you can have the run of it be-
fore breakfast"
glance up in amazement, and catch
lurking look of satire in my brothers
eyes; but, if he intends to annihilate
Robin by either eye, tone or manner,
he is vastly mistaken; his arrow flies
clean over her head, leaving her total
ly unscathed.
sWill you?" she returns, helping
herself for the second time to mar
malade. THAT is kind-only 1 am
afraid that if / know may go in every
morning the room will quite lose it's
charm"
Nevertheless Robin avails herself of
the permission, and from that time
forth Johns study is regularly sup
piled with fresh flowers, and the
window thrown open to the early sum
shine. Taking heart, l gradually in
troduce few little comforts which
have been hitherto wanting-we re-
cover his smoking chair with gaily-
lowered chintz. and q white fur mat
is placed in one corner for the accom-
mediation of Nell, who seems to be re-
gaining her lost place in her masters
heart.
During these early days of June the
weather is particularly bright and
warm, so my friend and 1 spend much
of our time in the open air, either
driving through the shady lanes or
wandering idly about the grounds and
garden.
1t had been decided that Harry must
make one more voyage before our
marriage; and as the hour of his de-
parture draws near he spends more
and more time daily at Podmore. l
must own that Robin is the most dis
Greet of girls-she seems to know in
stinctively when she is wanted and
when che is not, and thinks nothing of
absenting herself for hours together,
when she deems such course expo
dent.
"It must be very slow work, court
ing-isn't it?" she asks one day COM
passionately, after Harry is gone.
'tNot very-it is much slower for
you," ! answer, with a superior shake
of my head.
"Not bit of it, my dear. l have
my book and flowers, or if like can
go to sleep-in fact 1 am free; whilst
you must talk on one theme for hours
at a stretch. Ugh! / couldn't do it."
..In that case you had better make
up your mind to die an old maid.''
sOh, / don't see that!"-a little i'm
patiently. "Once you are married, it
is all right; but it is the counting /
could never stand. Now if a man
should ever propose to me"-doubt-
fully-''I should answer, i am quite
ready to marry you, only don't let's
have any engagement.
'.If any man asked you, that would
be your answer"
''No, of course not any man; but the
right man. / am sure'- speaking
with confidence-'sthatI could get him
into shape if we were once married;
hut could not-cou1d not possibly go
on saying sweet things to him for hours
together-it would be frightfully in
sipid."
''Ah, Robin, you are fancy free!
Wait till the right man comes"
81 am quite willing to wait; falling
in love always seems to sour people.
I suppose the fact is all the sweet
ness goes 10 the beloved object, and
their friends must put up with the
rest"
'.Am so cross then?"
''YouP Oh. no!"-and Robin laughs
a little. ''But then / really believe
you have more sugar in your tempera-
ment than most people. Now in my
constitution there is a strong dash of
pepper and mustard; but Hope no vine
gar
For some days after that first inva-
sion of my brothers sanctum John
seems brighter and more companions
BILE; then the old gloom settles down
and envelopes him once more. Instead
II remaining with us in the drawing
room after dinner, he creeps off to his
beloved study; it certainly iS very odd
and unsociable of him. Indeed, his |
conduct, instead Of improving, as / had |
hoped 1t would, under the Influence of |
3 stranger, becomes more eccentric |
than ever.
One evening / am quite startled by |
making new discovery regarding
him. Harry had been dining with us,
and it vas after eleven before he took
his departure, aunt Louisa at that time
being fast asleep in her chair; Robin
and /, instead of retiring at once to cur
rooms, remain chatting softly in the