Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1889-11-02
TAKEN BY SIEGE.

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pool; she thought that her professional
life was exciting enough, and, unless
Helen had some invitation she could
not we'll refuse, she liked her to
pass a quiet evening at home. She
looked upon Rush as a godsend, for
he was interesting enough to keep
Helen from being bored by herself, and
as he was so young and without fortune
he did not come into line with possible
suitors for her sniece's hand. Rush was
very well satisfied with this arrange
ment. for it put him upon q very friendly
footing. Helen would see him when she
would not see men whom she regarded
with more favor in certain way, for
she did not feel that she had to put her
self out to entertain him. When West
Hastings referred to Rush's rather init
mate footing in the family, she replied
that he was "only boy" and seemed to
be very much amused that this man of
the world should regard him with the
slightest feeling of jealousy.
"Boys are often more dangerous than
they seem to be-" he replied, with a
slight scowl; for nothing annoyed him
more than to be laughed at, no matter
how gentle the laugh.
AS for Helen, she soon forgot the con.
versation. She liked Rush as COM
panion-"a nice young brother" was the
way she put it. Rush did not regard
Helen with so Platonic an affection. He
fell more deeply in love with her every
time he met her, and he was very much
afraid that he would betray himself.
Such a thing as that, he knew, would be
fatal. So he waited as patiently as he
could.
Constant dropping wears away
stone," he said to himself II shall hang
on and keep up my spirits as best l may.
In the meantime shall work for money
and position as no man ever worked be-
fore, and my time will come" Archie
Tillinghast, who could not but notice
Rush's devotion to Helen, said to him
one day, "Rush, old man, I hate to see
you playing tame cat to prima donna
Rush replied with a fierceness that
must have proved to his friend that if
there was anything Of the cat in his dis
position it certainly was not Of the tame
species. ''If another man had said that
to me, / would have made him measure
his length on the sidewalk. But / will
take good deal from you. Archie. No
more Of this, however"
"As you like. dear boy" returned
Archie; "but think you are cut out for
something better than to stand around
with hundred other men and burn in
cense before public singer"
"Your words are no doubt well meant,
Archie, but they are uncalled for. I am
content to be one of hundred now;
there is no reason I should not be; but
may outstand the ninety-and-nine, and
be swinging my censor all alone some
day." he said. laughingly; and, putting
his arm through Archie's, they continued
their walk in peace and quietness.
Archie made up his mind to say no
more upon the subject, no matter what
he might think. "As well try to sweep
the cobwebs out Of the sky with whisk
broom as to open mans eyes when he
is in this condition" he said to himself.
Rush was not always content with
himself or with his position. There were
times when he resented being treated as
boy. One night in particular he was
in lamentable state Of mind. He had
gone to the academy with Helen and her
aunt, and. naturally, expected to take
them home; but West Hastings came be-
hind the scenes with Uncle Lightfoot
Myers, Mrs. Dick Griswold and lot OF
other people to congratulate the prima
donna on brilliant evenings work, and
invited the whole party to supper at Del.
monico's.
Helen, who thought that Rush had
brought her to the theatre to accommo-
date her rather than for any pleasure to
himself, believed that he would be glad
of the release, and said, in her politest
tones: II won't trouble you to take me
home, Mr.. Hurlstone. Mr.. Hastings
and these good friends have kindly vol
unteered their services. 1t was very
good of you to bring me. Good night
she added, putting out her hand. He
bowed over it, but said nothing as he
turned to go. "Stay one moment" said
Helen, taking up one of the dozen bou.
quets that had been thrown to her. II
was Of red roses; they were not SO com
mon then as they are today. West
Hastings had sent it He always sent
the same, for he liked to hear people
say, as it fell upon the stage, "That is
from West Hastings; he always sends
those big red roses"
"Mr. Hurlstone, don't you want Q
rosea" And. choosing the finest one
from the bunch, she fastened it in hii
buttonhole.
"Thank you," he said. rather stifly. a:
he bowed himself out. He would have
felt better in his mind IL he had seen the
expression Of annoyance that passed
over West Hastings face and known the
cause But he didn't, and he went out
across the dimly lighted stage in a moH
unenviable frame Of mind.
"Am / tame cat, after alp" he asked
4. IL I.