The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-09-07

risistiable power, for he had null pos
session of his own identity. He knew
whot an ass he was making of him.
self, but he could not act otherwise,
hard though he tried to do SO. And
now that Miss Steptoe was going
out he was filled with horror, for
how in her absence could he regain
control over himself Yet her WON.
anly bnshfulness and other charao-
teristicts having been impressed up
ON him, he could not utter one word
to stop her. "There she goes with
my spirit" he said to himself, shud-
dering. And when the door closed
| upon her, this careless soldier with
the big mustaehe actually began to
weep.
Miss Steptoe went upstairs to her
room and, with the speed and in
attention of man, put on heI man
tie and bonnet. There was no lin
gering at the glass;. no searching for
4 stray ribbons, no final plumming of
feathers. In wonderfully short
space of time she was out Of the
house and on her way to the Parade:
Mr.. Macnish. d poInpous little
man, who would have been startled
to learn that he was butt for every
Joker in Dullish; happened to be
staggering along in front of her:
She stepped up to him and slapped
him on the back.
swell, old chappie, where are you
off TOT" demanded this astonish-
ing little lady.
When Mr.. Macnish recognized Miss
Steptoe he nearly had an apoplectic
fit.
"Oh, you wagp' she exclaimed!
pointing at him.
"Good gracious!' gasped Mr.. Mae.
nish, falling back in alarm,
"Ta-ta," laughed Miss Steptoei
T'm bound for the Parade. YOU
are not going my way, SUPPOSE
Mr.. Macnish, with very shaky
knees; stood staring after her. ''The
woman's mad," he said at last.
"There can he no doubt about it. u
Then he turned and made for her
cottage as fast as his legs could
carry him.
Here another surprise awaited him.
Martha, who did not know that her
mistress had gone out, told him
there were number ofvisitors in the
drawing-room; should she show him
in? Yes" he replied in bewilder.
ment, and entered, peering about
like q traveller arrived at the dead
of night in astrangeland. He found
Professor Sobrinski speaking to an
entranced audience, but his arrival
caused a general flutter. His ex-
traordinary story created much
amusement, and while the mystery
was being explained to him there was
a good deal of laughter.
"Poor thing" exclaimed MIR.
Macnish, "she shouldn't have been
allowed out; call it an abominable
practical joke"
"My good SIR" said Professor
Sobrinski, you speak too fast. 1t
was Miss Steptoe herself who pro-
posed the experiment. She has
sacrificed herself in the cause Of
science"
Science be hanged" said Mr.. Mac
nish, "Fm going after her."
Captain Henniker rose eagerly.
"Allow me-" he said 81 ought to
have kept near her. l feel dreadtully
ill apart from her. If you will be
good enough to excuse me, l will go
after her." He looked doubtfully at
Professor Sobrinski.
"You may go" said the Professor.
Captain Henniker bowed and left
the room.
He felt obliged to proceed slowly and
sedately, eager as he was to regain
the society of Miss Steptoe. Besides
his anxiety to recover that part OF
himself with which he believed she
had walked off, her spirit was work
ing within him. anil while he shrank
from the contemplated act, he was
irresistibly impelled to make a. dec
laration of love. What a dolt
am" he kept saying to himself as he
went towards the Parade; 81 don't
care straw for the old trump and
yeti love you to distraction, my
darling. There, was there ever such
a horrible position? The words will
come out but they are not my words. y
Grassy banks. thinly planted with
shrubs, sloped down to the Parade,
a converted park by the side of the
sea. A few lamps twinkled along
the edge of the beach; they had just
been lighted when Captain Henniker
arrived. The breeze being chilly, he
was surprised to see q good many
people walking about, while a few
occupied seats near the little circular
erection where the band played in
the evening. in the distance was a
prim little figure sauntering along
as if the whole place belonged to her.
She stopped and spoke to nearly
every body she met, and as she
passed on again they gazed at her
in speeches. amazement. Miss Han
nah Steptoe they knew; but who was
this eccentric person who assumed
her guise and then startled them
with the most extraordinary speech
es and gestures? They gathered in
groups and pointed after her. There
was quite a commotion upon the
Parade.
If there was one thing more than
another that Captain Henniker alb
horred it was being mixed up in a
scene. He shuddered at the very
idea of making himself ridiculous,
and yet he went after Miss Steptoe,
and, though struggling against what
he was compelled to do. entered into
conversation with her and walked by
her side. The curious spectators OBJ
served that she dropped her flip
pant manner at once, but they did
not know what had caused the
change. They could not help, how
ever. being struck with Captain Hen
| mixers respectful attitude.
Il very much wanted to see you
| alone" he said, $50 / have taken the
liberty of following you. You can
guess what am going to say, can't
you?
"How should II"
t.0L x dorl;no hour Iowa wont