The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-05-25


..Why not take her TO her own
house," asks Robin. who has aean
scanning the surroundings anxiously.
There is light in one of the lower
windows.n
"A very sensible idea, responds
Harry. preparing to lift Alice in his
arms; ''only some of you run on first
and get the door open"
Before starting TO do his bidding; l
glance round. and become aware that
Jack is slowly retracing his steps
across the meadow in the direction of
the Lovers Walk.
..Ob, Robin, go with him. | whis-
per imploringly. $50 with him and
soothe him: Explain how it all came
about, and, no matter how angry h., is;
don't leave him till / return"
"How delightful for me. Such a
pleasant sort of mission" answers
Robin, looking-a most wonderful
thing for her-almost unequal to the
occasion.
But she was too truly good-heartcd
to hesitate for more than few mo-
ments; then she pockets her scruples,
and, running swiftly after my brother,
overtakes him before he reaches the
ratings.
Assured that Jack is in good hands,
l turn my attention to Harry and his
burden. He has already traversed
more than half the space which inter-
venes between us and the house; but it
does not take me long to outstrip him
and reach the front of the residence,
which, up to within the last few min
utes, we had imagined untenanted.
| make my way straight towards the
only window which shows signs of light.
1t is that of the small morning-room,
used in former days by Lucy and Alice
as their own particular sanctum.
The French window, opening to the
ground, stands carelessly ajar. has
tily throw both sides wide open for the
arrival of Harry and his burden; then
/ enter the room. Apparently the
apartment is used as general sitting
room The small comfortable is COW
cred with white cloth, and the re-
mains of a meal still lie scattered
thereon. The room is untidy--nay,
almost dirty in appearance, with no
bright touches of work, books, music,
or flowers to denote the presence of
woman used all her life to refinement,
as Alice has been. This take in with
one searching rapid glance; the next
moment am occupied with the hasty
arrangement of the sofa-pillows.
Where am | to put herr" cries
Harry, who is decidedly out of breath
with his unwonted exertion."
.Here-here!' l answer, pointing
to the sofa as he stunt les over the
window sill with his inanimate load.
He places Alice gently on the little
couch; and then, Strengthening his
back, takes out his handkerchief and
proceeds to wipe his forehead.
II would not have believed that a
woman could be such a weight" he
remarks, contemplating the still form
with a kind of wonder, Il had
misty idea, gathered from books and
the stage, that they were about as
heavy as kittens; but, my word, that
young woman is solid enough at any
rate! There seems to be a preponder-
ance of body over spirit, instead of the
way about.
While he speaks, ! am bending over
Alice, trying to discover whether she
is really unconscious or not.
"She must be in faint, say, gaz.
ing with certain degree of fright at
the CHASTITY cheeks and the dropping
heavy eyelids. SIS there any water on
the table, Harry3"
Eyes" he answers, pouring some
into tumbler and bringing It to my
side.
l wet my fingers and moisten her
lips, then sprinkle her brow plentifully
with the cold, clear drops. Suddenly
a great fear comes over me.
"Oh, Harry I cry. "what can be
the matter? Her skin is all coming of
like powder"
Before making any answer, Harry
turns up the wick of the lamp, which
has hitherto been burning dimlY, then
steps to my side.
"Flour!' is his laconic reply.
He is right. 1t is easy enough, now
that the lamp is burning full, to see
that Alice's whole face and neck are
covered with thick coat of white pow.
der or -four.
For few minutes / stare at that still
recumbont figure blankly. feel no
inclination to laugh; aid yet more
truly ridiculous object has seldom
been presented to my sight: In addi-
ion to the Toured face; she is dressed
N loose white robe, belted In at the
waist; this is again covered by seer1-
ngly endless yards of gray gauze,
whilst the long trailing end which in
he meadow escaped from her head
md shoulders has been trampled by |
Harry into dirty, torn, limp mass of |
'ags. All the folds of her enveloping |
loud have been frightened in her traa-
lit; and she locks more like mummy |
han anything else Of which can |
ihink.
lbI1 WlPO cOIuO
If the -four from her cheeks, which, |
When their covering is removed, look, |
n contrast to their former ashy hue,
Llmost pink. While l am still so en-
ragged, a slow qttiver passes over
Alice's form; then she opens her eyes
md stares wonderingly round hen
''What has happened" she asks, in
strange, startled way.
You were playing what suppose
We may term a practical joke" answers
larry, hesitating before the utteranec
# the last two words; .'and when we
Wished to take our part in the game,
'ou turned and fed, tripping over
tone an your waysn
A storm seeifts to gather ON Alice's |
to this momeift her express
ion has been simply perplexed.
'.Apractical joker she cries, blazing
nto feeble kind of wrath; for her
trength has not fully returned. ut
vould have proved no joke for him in
he long run, if you had only let me
lone. He played so beautifully into
ny hand'-curling her ip-"poor