The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-05-04

| dancing, her round cheeks rosy with
the vigorous young life within her.
..Oh, will come, If first you let me
rest little!' l rejoin, making val
liant effort not to be uncivil on Robins
first dcy.
She seats herself beside me on the
garden bench, and lovingly caresses
Nell's curly head, which is at once
thrust upon her knees; then she locks
or rather stares-at me long and
earnestly.
"You are very much changed in the
last two years, Blanche" she says sud-
denly.
"Do you think so?'' | say, feeling
the warm blood creep over my usually
pallid cheeks.
''Yes; you have grown frightfully
quiet, pale, and languid-how is it?"
Il am all right; it is only because
your are in such overfowing health
and spirits yourself that you think me
delicate, - is my rather rude answer.
Robin however only laughs her low
CHEEKY laugh.
s'Yes, am strong" she says, look
ing down, with contented smile, at
firm round wrist, and re-arranging
the broad silver band which encircles
it; land am thankful for my strength;
it makes one somehow feel so happy"
YES" say vaguely. Il suppose
it must be a pleasant feeling"
Then Robin began to talk of her
northern home, her brothers and sis
ter, her various occupations and
amusements, until, listening to her, it
suddenly dawns upon me that my life
hitherto has been aimless and inco-
lent. This flashes across my brain
suddenly as l sit there on the seat be-
side my old schoolfellow; and then the
feeling of confidence which first drew
me towards Robin springs once more
into life.
"Robin,'' l say, edging nearer, and
putting my hand round her waist, 81
did want you so, dear. ! knew we
were all going to sleep, and worse
than to sleep, down here, and nothing
seemed to rouse us. AS you know, |
never had much energy, and what /
once possessed is all used up. Since
poor Jacks misfortune, we have been
going from bad to worse; we seem
settled in fog of gloom; and | am
afraid Jack will soon get past recovery,
unless we can rouse him"
Poor dear! There-don't fret!"-
and Robin laughingly wipes my eyes
with her own handkerchief. "They
ought to have sent you up to me, or
asked somebody here, or done some
thing" she declares, with her usual
energy.
"Oh, not that! / don't mind for my
SELF" / explain, in broken voice.
1--WE got Harry; but Jack seems to get
more and moremelancholy every day."
Robin looks at me a few moments
pityingly.
'.Bee Bee," she says then, 'you
know / always did speak my mind at
school; and / must say, my dear
with half curl of her upper lip
'.that I think your brother more de-
serving of contempt than pity"
..Robin, how can you?" ! exclaim,
withdrawing my arm, and sitting in
dignantly bolt upright. ''You don't
know what love is. Jack is broken
hearted, and-and-I think his con-
stancy is beautiful"
"Of course it is very fine and very
romantic of him to 60 about the world
with his hair two inches longer than
any other mans, and wrapped in
cloak of sombre recollections; but at
the same time it is unutterably selfish
and unmanly. l can understand
woman-a very weak woman, l mean
-moping herself into melancholy
madness; but men should be made of
more reliable stuff. Docs he mean to
waste his whole life in this fashion,"
am about to answer little hotly,
when John himself energies from
side path close to our seat. Before
have even time to utter an exclamation
OF surprise, Nell, poor, foolish, enthu-
siastic doggie, filings the full weight OF
her loving, but corpulent body, upon
him, and, taking him at disadvan-
tage-since he has no idea that she is
at liberty-sends him staggering back
against the trunk of a neighboring
beech tree.
.sDown-down!' l cry, laughing,
and springing to the rescue.
But John, after the first shock, rises
to the occasion, and, by an artful ruse,
frees himself from Nell!s overpower-
ing attentions. His light walking
cane buzzes through the air, and away
flies the dog in pursuit.
What mad spirits Nell is in!' says
John, smiling slightly. Thanks for
taking her out, Blanche. "
Your thanks are not due to me;
twas Robin who insisted on letting
her loose"
Il should think / did!' remarks
Robin calmly, and contemplating my
brother with a somewhat ireful eye.
II consider it the greatest cruelty to
keep big dog like that chained to its
kennel all day. "How would you
hke'-speaking with emphasis, and to
John-s.to be shut up in one room
from morning till night?''
John Smiles his rather dreamy
smile.
LAS a rule, l am shut up, from
choice"
..Ah, well, poor Nell is but dog,
and consequently endowed with GER
tain amount of spirit"
Robin makes this somewhat cutting
observation in such tone that it is
to take offense-evidently
it is intended as joke. Jack Pushes
slightly as he says, with a faint
shade of animation