Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1889-03-09

10 threshold so often az
soung Arden. As they grew 10 know,
nim better, his bright, boyish face ~
came very pleasant TO their ewes h.,
they' none the less, missed thai u hin
%noni lhey had learned 10 look unon
almost as son. None could quite an
ms place In their hearts.
somehow, the winter seemed passi,o
very slowly 10 Alice. Often. n be.
dreams there came before her n Whit
wan lace, whose wordless ranroaob
seemed TO haunt her, and which mr.
ments. nv
Al tratshe thought John would know
enc hAa only spoken in anger. and
would come again suing for forgiveness
ana asking to be reinstated Ia her heart.
put The winter was half over now and
though they had merely bowed his
head In grave greeting, and his ewes
gave no sign Of the torture which was
gnaEing al his heart
The snow lay thick and white upon
me ground when the great sleIghipg
irollc was proposed, and Alice was
ready as she was ever ready now. 10
drown forgetlulness m any new thing
which offered.
They were TO drive twelve miles oyer
70 Farmer Whites where grand dance
was promised before the ride home by
moonlight II had come To be rather a
settled thing as TO whom win Arden
should escort so no one was surprised
3hen Alice. declining all other invita-
lions. said she was already engaged to
so with him.
II was about four o'clock when Mr..
Arden drove up 10 her fathers door,
and the handsome little cutter drawn
by It's spirited horses, with It's robes
warm and tempting, made pretty plct-
nre. but Il was incomplete until Alice
hlled the vacant scat, when, with her
checks nushed and sparkling, her eyes
bright with some Of their old merri-
ment her chestnut hair catching the
sunshine, she gave 70 Il the last needed
| touch
But the old farmer. even as he watch
cd her with a look OF pride. shook his
bead as be glanced At the sky.
II doa'i altogether like the looks Of
IL" he muiiered. ''but hadn't tho
heart 10 dlappoint her when & ali
tocms 80 lair
Bot the young hearts, In their Joy
Gus youth. thought only Of tho
/ present sunshine as they sped rapidly
over she slippery path 10 the music Of
tho silver bells.
II was sunset when they reached the
farm, and they were mot with a shout
81 welcome. and soon with horses
housed and fed. were the light and life
Of The party.
Jonn Harding was here tonight, and
be. too. entered tho frollc with his old
oArncsincss. Once he met Allco's eyes.
Something In their look seemed TO cali
him 10 her side, but with the s0ttoning
Of the moment came the memory Of her
bitter words. her rumorcd engagement
with young Arden. and he mot the APP
peAlIng look with one hard and cold and
turned away.
hut 70 hcr Amazcment, as tho clock
chimcd the hour Of ten. and all were
busy with their preparations for de-
parnrc. John Harding came TO her
side.
You will forgive my suggestion.
Miss Alice. but am afraid Mr.. Arden
Is no, exactly IN the condition TO man
age those spirited horses, and. for
YOUR pacu,s' sake, II you will accept a
sea, IN my sleigh | shall be very happy
10 offer g 10 you.
"You again seem 10 forget my pa
rents ln,rustod me TO Mr. Arden's care.
Therefore. with many thanks for
YOUR extreme kindness, ! must de-
cline
But when, an hour later, they be-
come separated from the other slcighs'
and she realized her escorts hand was
unsteady. his head scarcely clear and
tho snow began falling in thick, feath-
cry fakes. while the cold penetrated
under buffalo robes, a sensation OF un-
casiness ercpt over her which made
her shiver.
Arc you cold" said her companion
Draw the robes closer Is 1t not time
we were out Of this woodP'
croat Heaven! Had they lost their
wayl For moment the bare possible
Ity thrilled every nerves then INC
Young heart took courage and steeled
itself 10 Che worst. On and on they
dashed through the white, binding
snow, until Che horses maddened,
plupged and snorted, struggling 70 get
iroa The hands which held the reins
were growing numb, and the brain
which was guiding them becoming
marc and more distraught, when TO
A,,ce came the realization that for her
foolish pride must she pay tho iorie'
OF her life. 800