The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1889-08-24
PROUD OF HIS CHOICE.

cottage WnlCu ueSLleU aC inc 1OOI OA
Beech Hill had been taken for the sea-
son by a young couple in whom the
villagers took an interest unusual even
in that gossip loving community.
There was q mystery lingering about
them, evidently, for the gentleman had
an air of high-breeding which was
wanting in the wife, although her
dark gypsy face had piquant and rare
loveliness both Of feature and express
sion.
Each day as the train steamed into
the station Elsie would be awaiting
her husbands arrival, her brilliant
eyes oblivious to all sights but that OF
the handsome eager face of him she
loved. Even the indolent loungers,
who spent their time in half-somnol-
ent state, rousing to feeble appear
ance of interest only at each new in
flux of passengers. grew animated at
the sight of that bright lissom young
figure dressed in the rich fabrics which
made her look like some gay tropical
bird that had alighted in the sombrs
place.
In the morning it was her great de-
light to take long, solitary rambles,
and to return laden with woodland
spoils of rare ferns and moses. Then
she would transform her rooms into
bowers, amid which she roamed like =
new Flora until her Gerald's arrival.
The farmers wives had learned to
steal for a moment from their work at
their golden butter, or creamy cheese,
to watch for her. 1t seemed to brighten
the remainder Of the day to catch q
smile from such pair Of rosy lips,
and many q murmured "God bless the
sweet young face" followed her IS she
passed.
So it went on until the summer
waned and faded, and October came.
The sun had passed the meridian, and
was sailing in a sea of cloudless blue.
Rarely had the genial rays shone upon
a lovelier picture than that made by
Elsie. seated upon a lichen-covered
rock by the road. Above waved the
graceful branches of a stately elm.
At one end purled limpid brook over
its gravelly bed. Az Elsie watched it,
and listened to its musical ripping
flow, gradually an expression of in
tense peace came into the beautiful
face, which was usually too instinct
with a subtle inner current Of unrest
to convey an impression that the glr!
was as thoroughly happy as one would
expect to be.
But her revere was not to be unin-
terrupted.
Suddenly a man approached from
out the shadow of the wood. Silently
and stealthily he came. He had seen
the motionless figure, and it suited
with the habits Of his life, thus to
draw near and reconnoitre unobserved.
although as yet he had not recognized
Elsie.
But az he came close enough to gain
. view of her, he gave surprised
start, and an evil smile curved the full
red lips, half hidden by his long droop'
ing moustache. -,
He did not speak, but waited until
the sense of enjoyment which q tiger
must feel when his unconscious prey
il within reach of his fatal spring
though as yet uninjured.
Soon Elsie turned her head and met
his baleful glance.
With low cry she rose to her feet
Her warm coloring changed to dul
pallor. Even her lips grew white ~
she said, shudderingly:
..Eben! What has brought you herel
/ thought" :,
"Yes," he interrupted harshly. 81
know. You did not expect, neithe'
long for the sight Of me. But one
never knows what may happen. It II
q good chance for me, though. 1ot
know my heart is a very tender one;
Well, how does the young springalc1
who stole you away treat his treasure
Is he tired of it yeti" /,
With every sneering word Elsie
great dark eyes grew wider and gloom
Ter with horror.
oh. that she could sink away through
the green turf and die!-anything-so 2!
to be relieved Of this tantalising, Ill
omened spectre from the past she had
hoped never again TO be confronted
with.
The man bent and whispered fev
words in her ear. But he had mlscal
culated his influence over her. Sh'
drew her slight form up to its ~!
height, and pointed towards the road
.Eo!' she said, II will not do ~ yo'
say. though Zop should strike me deaE
1t your feet"
II will do Norse than that" was th,
answer, In low savage tone. II Will
scatter broadcast through this villag'
who you are and the relations betweel
us"