Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1889-12-20

such an opportunity, and, as Tor
rance seemed little confused in his
ideas, left them to adjust their men,
tai balance at their leisure.
| did myself the pleasure of watch
ing them, however, and at the end OF
the dance, when another partner
claimed Mary, John carefully avoid
ed my neighborhood, and hung
around trying to get word in now
and then with the late object of his
strong condemnation.
At supper he lounged III the door
until we beckoned him to join us, and
as that was apparently what
he hoped for, he made himself very
agreeable.
Mary had entirely recovered her
self-possession, and /, who knew her
SO well, could see that she was exert
ing herself toward his uldoing.
But she was always so charming
and did these things so sweetly that
/ could have fallen in love with her
myself, had there been the shadow of
change for me. But there never
was, and so-well, even now am not
sure escaped heart whole.
Alter that as matter of course,
John wanted to see more OF her, and
took him to the Hastings to call
on one of their evenings"
The simplicity in white had vanish
ed as suddenly as it came. Miss
Hastings received her friends in a
wonderful gown ofgray, touched here
add tiicre with crimson. | more than
suspected Torrance ofsending her the
lovely Jacqueminots she carried,
and the execution wrought by her
wonderful eyes on Johns susceptible
tiles was truly lamentable to witness.
He was completely gone. Nothing
could now shake his belief that Miss
Hastings was a deeply illuminated
young lady The "white angel" had
changed his ideas. 1t was nothing
short of inspiration on Mary's part,
for how did she know John Torrance
was to be introduced to her at that
particular ball? Perhaps she did.
The ways OF Pro violence and women
are inscrutable.
The affairs appeared to be taking
the usual course. She, gracious and
bewildering: he, beyond all hope of
recall madly in love with her, and
making no effort to hide it. 1t
seemed just about the same thing
we had seen before, and only called
forth the usual poor fool"vby way
of comment.
1t seemed either to drag in seach-
ing the climax. Few beside myself
know there was climax, at which
unwittingly assisted.
One night l dropped in at the
Hastings and when the man said
Miss Tasting was in the drawing
room, entered without ceremony,
as an old friend might, only to find
an empty room. Hearing murmur
of voices in the library beyond, |
made my way toward it. Mary and
John Torrance were standing near
the fire, he leaning an arm on the
mnntel, and looking at her with I'M
mistakable triumph, while she, lost
in thought, gazed a little sadly into
the fire. AS stood with my hand
on the portiers. Torrance flushed and
handsome advanced step nearer to
her, and called her name
"Mary!' he said, gently, but with
confidence in his power.
She lifted her head slowly, and al
most unwillingly, as if compelled by
the sound of his voice, and moved
slightly toward him. | saw him
, draw her yet nearer with his arm
, around her, until her head rested on
his breast, and he bent to look upon
her fair face,
| don't know how got out of the
house. but | remember assuring
i myself over and over again that
! never had been in love with her, and
never had a chanceif had been.
"Sour grapes, calculated Hunting
ton, softly.
! II felt bound" resumed Barton,
= ''to tell her of my unlucky caves
dropping. Next morning | went
around and began rather lamely by
saying, | had called the evening be
fore, and, not finding her in the
.. drawing room, was about to enter
!, !, the library, when | saw herself and
Terrence engaged in conversation.
There was little enough of CONVEX
| SaUlOn, out tlldl WIS II ueilcdUe way
! of putting it, and | looked at hel
: meaningly. Now what do you think
she said in answer to my look? "Oh
: wise man, don't you know fiirta
l ton when you see one?"
: A Irritation. Great guns. This was
too much. | was Mortified. 81
+; thought l did know yours when SEE
them, Mary" | said, "but as Tor
rance was en- She interrupted M
with a smothered exclamation anc
one of her rare bushes
DOUBTLESS you do know them
Fred" she said, land you were right
in thinking this was not to be mum
bered with them. suppose | may
as well tell you that we, that is, thai
Mr., Torrance, / mean
Never mind" said, II must b,
going, and you are quite explicit.
l rose and, feeling rather upset at til,
confirmation of my fears, was max
ing my way out, when she held out
her hands with some woman's in
) stinct that might be wounded.
Goodbye. Fred; wish me JOY
won't your" she said.
: Certainly, my dear girl certainly
many happy returns" and having
covered myself with glory by this
last brilliant remark, left
well, declare" said Huntington