Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1889-06-15
CHAPTER XI
PROGRESS UNDER DIFFICULTIES.


barracks that afternoon Beautiful Jim be.
took himself of to the bazar which was
open for the last day He found great
srowd there. for it was market day. and
nearly all the country people had con
trived to 60 to 1t for all hour or SO before
they went home.
The ladies were all very busy: for. in
spite Of a weeks good sale. there was
still . large quantity Of things to be dis
posed of. and they were taking almost
any price they could get for them so as to
.ffect clearance. Miss Earle wus espe.
,islly busy. her pleasant winning manner
and fair. bright face bringing her many
and many customer who otherwise
would not have cared to spend farthing.
Beautiful Jim. however, suffered by
this popularity. for he could not manage
to get word with her. or hardly one.
lie knew that she and Tommy were going
home on the Monday morning. and he
knew. too. that he could not hope by any
chance to get even two days leave on
this side OF the 1st OF September.
So Beautiful Jim, despite the gay and
giddy throng Of which he made one. was
As nearly miserable as he could be while
he had still the privilege Of watching his
divinity.
Il sha'n't see you after today. Miss
Earle. he said. disconsoately, when at
last she had ten minutes to spare, and he
had the felicity of taking her off to the
refreshment chalet for cup Of tea.
why notY'
because I'm on duty tomorrow. and
| can't get any OF the other fellows to do
II for me" he returned mournfully.
"Oh." she cried in dismay, 'and Mrs.
Trafford Is having tea after the parish. >"
Yes. know. said he wretchedly.
Then after moment he exclaimed in a
brighter tone: There's one fellow
haven't asked. so there's just a chance
yet for me"
"Then shall not sny good-by today"
said Miss Earle. with decision. Il hate
saying good-by. Don't your
1T depends" said Jim. guardedly 1T
depends good deal on the other person.
Now. II was saying good.by to you. he
said. in desperate tone--and just as Miss
Earle was beginning to show the prettiest
Of danger signals in her checks and a
droop in her sweet eyes. some-some-
idiot. Jim said to himself. savagely. came
clumsily along and knocked heavy tea
tray against her arm, making her shrek
Now. then! Where are you Eoingy'
Jim thundered. looking daggers at the
luckless individual.
After many apologies and regrets the
poor wretch went away forgiven; and
then. Just as jim was going to be tender
and lover like over the poor arm, great
stream Of people came in, among whom
were two of the Leslie giIls and Tommy
Earle.
It Is to be hoped that the recording
angel does not put down all the naughty
words that rise in the heart and never
pass the lips; II he does. he must have had
q busy ten minutes that Saturday after.
noon. for Beautiful Jims unspoken
thoughts were-well, far from sanity
Thus reminded of her duties. Nancy
Earle went back to her post, and never
another chance did Jim have of uttering
the words which. II she would only hear
and heed, would have made him the hap.
piest man in Blankhampton that day!
But for oil that he hung about Lady Mar
garet's chalet with the persistence and
fidelity of dog. and once or twice. when
Nancy sailed forth to dispose. by the un.
lawful and sinful means of ratiling, of
some rather large article Of upholstery
which hung Oh hand. he was privileged in
being allowed to carry that SAME, to stand
by while she enlarged on the beauties of
soft cushions which nobody wanted to buy,
and descanted on the merits Of banner
screens which were q mockery and an
abomination.
II may come and see you when am in
town." he asked,
"Ohi yes. Mr.. Beresford, we shall be
delighted u you do." she replied heartily
"Ahl shall not be able to get leave
until well on In September. or perhaps
even October. and yo,, won't DO in town
then" he said. in detection and gloom
You're sure not to be in town. then"
II am not SO sure" she said. True
We always GO to the country for several
months and intend to stay all the winter
only, somehow. my father likes our
house In town better than our country
place. and we generally find ourselves
home again in Hans place early in Octo
ber. We may stay in the country longer
this year. because Stuart may care 10
bring friends for the shooting. suppose
my father would like 10 be there II he did
only lie does hate the country So The
leesntyy >pooule hQyp him. and he saws the