Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1890-05-10

But Annie, who was sitting at the win
dow engaged in embroidery work, and
. making very pretty picture as she sat
there, remarked that she was glad the
search was being continued, for though
they had heard little about it recently,
they were greatly interested in it.
Holbrook, who thought there was
something of gentle reproach in the
words. said:
1.-THE truth is. Miss Templeton, nothing
has been accomplished For ten days we
have been under the impression that we
could lay our hands upon the man, but
this morning we discovered that the
man in question could not have possibly
done the deed We hardly dared to ad-
nit to ourselves our suspicious, and l
should have been greatly to blame had l
raised false hopes in your breast or had
pointed to suspicion that could not be
justified. Rest assured that everything
is being done that can be done to un-
cover the mystery"
"Ohr' said Annie, covered with con-
fusion and blushing very prettily, Il had
no intention of complaining. Indeed we
are really too much obliged to you for
the trouble you have taken in our affairs
to criticise or to complain"
During this exchange Holbrook had
moved from his chair in the middle of
the room, where he had been conversing
with Mrs. Templeton, and taken low,
easy one near the window where Annie
sat.
Mrs Templeton had turned to the
table and had resumed the writing of
letter she was engaged upon when Hol-
brook entered.
! The young lawyer was already on such
familiar footing that he was regarded
not as a stranger to whom the most
scrupulous attention must be given, but
rather as an intimate who was best
treated when received with informality.
In answer to Annie's reply to him he
said:
IL do not think. Miss Templeton. that
anything which might concern you or
yours would be too much trouble for
me-"
The blood crept up into Annie's cheeks
again, and bending over her work she
said nothing.
Holbrook himself had nothing to say,
and he sat for some time toying with
the end of the embroidery falling from
her knee. Finally he said
"Do you know that have experienced
great pleasure in my calls here-pleasure
of kind it has not been my lot tc Ok
perience for several years."
Annie looked up wonderingly.
II sincerely hope you do find pleasure
in your visits here, and it is pleasant to
hear you say so. but do not quite un-
derstand you"
"Why notY
"Oh, your words seem to convey
meaning they do not express clearly"
perhaps they do. You know, of
course, that | am bachelor. Well,
have, ever since | came to the city,
twelve years ago, lived in a hotel. 1t is
now eight years since my mother died,
and the home of my childhood, to which
from time to time returned, was broken
up Since that time, this household has
been the only place have visited where
have been treated with that informal
ity | crave, and where the occupants
pursue their work as my mother used to
do 1t is eight years and more since
have been permitted by any woman to
sit SO near and play with her work as
do now, and as used to do sitting be-
side my mother"
Annie was provoked with herself as
she felt the bushes mantling her cheeks,
for she had noted the tone of tenderness
which underlay his words. To blush was
to assume that this tenderness was di-
rected toward herself, when his words
conveyed nothing of the sort, and when
without doubt only the recollections of
his mother and his home had been stirred
bv entering their domestic circle. She
made an effort and replied:
"It is pleasure, then, at very small
cost, am sure, Mr.. Holbrook."
"A pleasure duly app eciate.'
"Was your mother widow
Eyes. With but two children, sis
ter and myself. My sister is married
and lives abioad-her husband occupies
diplomatic position"
ut is hard to lose ones home. 1t
must be- do not think could content
myself to live for all time as we are
now. want a home of my own, which
can deck and beautify my own way"
81 think you, yourself would beautify
any place however bare, and make it
home, Miss Templeton.
This was direct enough, and the blush
swept up again over her face. Hol-
brook did not wait for reply, but con-
tinued:
1T is woman who makes the home
Men may erect house, fill it with cost
ly furniture and beautiful works of art
yet it is only an abiding place. Until
some woman graces it with her presence
and her life it does not become home"
Annie looked up archly and said;
IF you appreciate home SO much,