Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1890-05-09
MISS CLARE.
CHAPTER III.
By uARIA l. POOL.

health bounded ireer and stronger every
I..y. In my inmost heart ! acknowl-
edged that to my illness owed a nearer
approach to Miss Clare than could havo
effected in that time by usual inter
course. And. contradictory. ! was dis
contented and unhappy in thinking So
She had been kind to the invalid; it had
now become my dearest hope Of happi-
ness that she might some day be kind to
the man simply for his own sake.
While was imprisoned in my room I
saw Miss Clare only once or twice: but
when l got below stairs and could walk
up and down at the sunny side of the
house. insisted upon Miss Clare's &C.
companying me, and fatty refused to 30
without her. At first i was sadly afraid
she would resist sa9y signs OF it in
her c,'es-and l was already preparing
to maintain my request. when she sud-
denly yielded and gracefully went with
me.
The ground was frozen stiff, icicles
hung on the old we'll sweep. and the
dying sycamore looked wilder and more
melancholy than ever. shuddered
with an uade.i.iabie dread of something
cvI 10 come. l looked at Miss Clare.
She was gazing absently at the clear.
far of sky-that steely. beautiful sky
which sometimes seems 20 far aw ay from
U.S. Her face was reserved and sad:
not sarcastic. as had feared it might
he. had thought Of numberless things
IN say ~ her, while l sat ale re in my
room: now they all left me. and spoke
In an Indifferent tone.
Nov that our New England winter
has really set in. suppose you will be
returning to the gayeties Of your home.
She turned toward mo and spoke
quickly:
"Of my homer"
"Yes-of Boston," I replied, little
surprised at the peculiar expression of
lNr face and the ironical ring in her
tone. "You will prove false 10 feminine
nature by staying away from a city
homo during the winter season."
Isaw that had chosen an unfortu.
nate subject. but some evil whispering
tempted mo 70 continue.
"Are you going soon7" asked.
The voice In which she replied pre-
cluded tho possibility Of speaking upon
chat topic again.
Really. Mr. Perrom. I have not yet
decided"
l had called the cynical expression to
her face. and there was no moro genial
kindness that morning. wondered at
my stupidity-I had forced her to walk
with me and then studiously made my.
self disagreeablc went out alone the
next day and every time after.
Soon l resumed my morning horse
back excursions. and after one or two of
those rides l felt tho glorious elixir OF
health again pulsing in my frame; wus
no longer weak; I was once moro man
among men.
One cold, still morning in January
took my pistols from their case and en-
tered Mrs. Jerdan's sitting room in searci,
Of Miss ClarH. She was reading by the
fire. and received me with the easy cor
diality which sometimes distinguished
her. and which appeared entirely at vari
ance with the moods In which che occ:.-
aionally INDUCED
"You remember promised to tcaci,
you TO shoot" said: II have COCO u
claim my pupil"
Her eyes shone with pleasure. "You
are very kind not TO forget, slc said.
II must acknowledge it is no. tsisin-
terested kindness" ! responded. allow
ing the impulse q my heart TO be.ray
itself In my face. ! held thoss eyes to
mine for IN instant that was forever
after remembered by ms. Men do not
forget tho first time the woman beloved
comes near ~ them in one full glance.
She did not give me- Lack the passion
that burned in my eyes; tho language
read was that Of surprised inquiry, mot
a repellant scorn that dcspised its dis
covery.
We went out toward the field where
The had left her target still nailed to the
tTea No usrciful premonition of that
which was to come gave me warning to
turn back with the girl who walked Will,
ma Happily we went on. Over bliss
Carss face was the soft pride that 90
enthrailed me. Center. more kind than
hnd ever before seen them, l,er eyes
seemed - ahe talked: in their gray deeps
. luminous shadow seemed to dwell that
bafled while II drew me on lloved her
enttrely. devotedly. with heart and soul
and strength. and now only waited the
opportunity to tell her what she might
have ueen-
Il am going to astonish you. she said,
- she took her place to shoot, and fired
with the s:,n,o careless Dir which had
noticed before The result showed her
Improvement
'You have been practicing." I ex.
claimed. ut b unfair II you have sur.
passed your teacher"
A. handed hack her pistol after load.
ing Il che aid In . subdued voice:
DO you know. It seems - II were
infatuated with this shooting? | have
rusne ilere day after day. did not ex.
atty like L. but somehow I could not
h'i' It. believe ! ana superstitioua Il
sssai,A NJ. rerrom. that some demon
:'as inpsiled me TO perfect myself in this
nnwonsanly pastima have shuddcred
= think of some horrible object to
which : may lead Am talkine
strangelyr She paused . moment, and
THEN coatinnsd with flushed checks and
wild eyds: Am 70 what will not my un.
governabls temper lead me il / am
tempted too muchl I Try to control e,
but sometimes am not mistress Of INV.
self It b veEy humiliating u think 81
IT,
She put the pistol In her cloak pocket
with gesture Of diagust and looked up
u me with eyes In which there was q
strange. nncsnscious, besecching look
tiaat thrilled 10 my soul
~Niss Clars. I aid. in . low, steady
seica ''ths unacc,istomed solitude d
your LILO has made you morbid The an
healthy impulse you mention Is common
70 sensitive minds. particularly when the
sarTOundines favor T. Pray. has your
sIemou peesented himself In tangible
Sorsns Has hs an eye Of coal and q
tongue Of famer
She turned away her face with look
of relief.
Il know ! am childish sometimes.
did not use to be Co." In o faltering
voice do trouble and persecution
mako one grow imbecilel" she asked sud.
denly. looking at me.
They do sometimes," I answered
But they never would have that effect
upon you-it would b . worse effect, ]
am afraid"
"Wogsel How = THAR she asked.
coming . step nearer me In her interest
MAKE you cynical and unbelievinr-