Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1890-11-07

| knocked at the door. a clock some
where struck the hour of Z.
A decent-looking elderly woman.
Ia widows weeds, came to the door.
"ls Mr.. Mattisou in-Mr. Perley
Mattison?"
no" she answered quickly, with
as imagined. rather n confused zoos.
did not believe her, and asked
quietly, When do you expect him
home?"
Not at present
Apparently she expected me to go
away. but, instead, slipped into the
passage.
Mother" asked n soft voice at the
head of the stairs. ''who is it?'
And then, for the first time, | be-
came aware that some one had been
watching and listening to our colloquy
from the head of the stairs-a young
girl. dressed like the mother, in deep
black, with very brilliant eyes and a
profusion of jet black curls.
Some Que to see your brother
She came halfway down the stairs,
pushed back her curls with one hand
and looked at me with her wonderful
eyes. Even then her beauty s!rucl; me
as stood gazing at her.
'Perley is not at home" she said,
hurriedly. HE has gone away. We
do not know when he will return"
Evidently this mother and daughter
were in the secret of Mattison's viii
liany and doing their best to screen
him from its consequence. My heart
blcd for both of them; but it was no
time to indulge in sentimental pity.
Speaking as briefly rs | could, told
them it was my duty to compel them
to remain were they were while
searched the house.
Mrs. Madison sat down pale and
trembling Her daughter colored
high.
Mother" she said, "why do you
stand by and listen to such slandersP
1t is falseP Let this man search the
house if he will; my brother is as in
nocent rs am!n
No opposition was offered to my
search. II was entirely fruitlcss, how
ever; there was no where any trace of
the missing bird. Nevertheless, re-
solved to remain there quietly. for
day or two, to see what little waiting
might bring forth.
The same afternoon Clara Mattison
came in us | sat by the window. keep
ing silent watch on all round.
MIR, Meredith" she said, softly,
mother thinks | have been rude to
You. She says it was not your fault,
personally, that you were sent here on
such Il mistaken errand--and. perhaps,
she is right. am sorry if have hurt
your feelings"
The pretty,penitent way in which she
spoke quite won my heart, and a few
questions on my part seemed to unlock
the hidden receSses of her confidence.
She talked at first shyly but after
ward with more assurance. of herself
her absent brother and her mother,
giving me thousand little family de-
tails which almost dreaded to hear.
This twilight talk WAS one of the
means universally pleasant life, and |
was not little annoyed when it was
broken in upon by the arrival of the
constables from K. who were to
watch through the night.
At the sound of their footsteps.
Clara rose up, and sat down again,
confused ana frightened.
"Oh, Mr.. Meredith those men,"
BE easy, Miss Mattson." | said
'you shall in no way he annoyed by
them. Your privacy shall not be
broken in upon, believe me-"
Il know am sill "" faltcred Clara,
"but oh, it seems so dreadful"
My orders to the men were simple
and succinct. | stationed them as
seemed best to me, and then returned
TO spend the evening with Miss Matti-
son. And when | was ut length left
alone | could not help thinking
forgive mellow much more winning
and graceful she was than poor Kitty
Elton.
AT last answer came to my report
to Mr.. Clenner. 1t was short and to
the purpose"
| read the missive with q paug.
Clara Mattison's check deepened in
color as announced my departure to
her.
You have been far kinder than we
dared to hope, Mr.. Meredith" she
said, nc held her hand in mine.
you will think of me sometimes,
ClaraPn
The reader will easily perceive from
this how our intimacy had progressed.
She smiled, hung her head, and, talk
ing pair of scissors from the table,
severed one bright. black curl from
the abundant tresScs that hung over
her forehead.
Keep this, Mr.. Meredith, in men,
DRY of me-"
Was foolish to press the jetty ring
let to my lips ere | laid it closely
against my heart? Clara evidently
thought | was for she laughed, but did
not seem displcased.
Mr.. Clenner appeared TO be good
deal annoyed when | got back to town
rather an unreasonable thing on his
part, for | certainly did all that man
could do under the circumstances.
I'VE have been mistaken all the
way through, it seems. - he said biting
his lip. ''Strange-yery strange, |
never was mistaken before in my cal
culations. Well, we must try again"
| went to Kitty Eltons that night.
She received mo with sweet. shy
sadness of welcome. that should have
made me the happieSt man in the
world; but it did not. Clara Matti-
sons dark beauty seemed TO stand be-
tween me and her like visible bar
rier. When | took my leave there
were tears in her eyes.
kitty. you are CRYING"
Because you are changed. Edward.
You do not love me rs well as you
did"
kitty. what nonSense"