The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1890-11-29

the lainteSt expectation of meeting him
anywhere. repeat. had not thought
of such thing"
You might just as well do it. You
cannot make your antagonism to my
husband much more pointed than you
have already. And as for meeting Mr..
Hayne. the only advice presume to give
i now Is that for your own sake you keep
your bushes under better control than
you did the last time you met-that l
know of" And, with this triumphant
insult as parting shot, Mrs Rayner
wheeled and marched Off through the
| parlor.
What was girl to do? Nellie Travers
was not of the crying kind, and was de-
MED vast amount of comfort in conse-
quence. She stood n few moments uuiv-
ering under the lash of injustice and in
suit to which she had been subjected.
/ She longed for a breath of pure fresh
air; but there would be no enjoyment
even in that now. She needed sympathy
and help If ever a girl did, but where
was she to find it? The women who
most attracted her and who would have
warmly welcomed her at any time-the
women whom she would eagerly have
gone to in her trouble-were practically
denied to her. Mrs. Rayner in her quar-
rel had declared war against the caval-
ry, and Mrs. Stannard and Mrs. Ray, who
had shown disposition to welcome
Nellie warmly, were no longer callers at
the house. Mrs. Waldron, who was
kind and motherly to the girl and loved
to have her with her, was so embarrassed
by Mrs. Rayners determined snubs that
she hardly knew how to treat the mat
ter. She would no longer visit Mrs.
Rayner informally, rs had been her Gus
tom. yet she wanted the girl to come to
her.
If she went. Miss Travers we'll knew
that on her return to the house she
would be received by volley of sar.
casms about her preference for the
society of people who were the avowed
enemies of her benefactors. If she re-
manned in the house, it was to become in
person the target for her sisters unde-
served sneers and censure. The situa-
ton was becoming simply unhearable.
Twice she began and twice she tore to
.-N~S-AASAs' VIC iC0tSi lOI WHICH van
Antwerp was daily imploring, and this
evening she once more turned and
slowly sought her room, threw off her
wraps, and took up her writing desk. 1t
was not yet dark. There was still light
enough for her purpose. if she went
close to the window. Every nerve was
tinglng with the sense of wrong and
ignominy; every throb of her heart but
intensified the longing for relief from
the thralldom of her position. She saw
only one path to lead her from such
crushing dependence. There was his
last letter, received only that day, urg-
ing. imploring her to leave Warrener
forthwith. Mrs. Rayner had declared to
him her readiness to bring her east pro-
vided she would fix IN early date for the
wedding. Was it not future many
girl might envy? Was he not tender,
faithful. patient, devoted as man could be?
Had he not social position and compe.
tence! Was he not high bred, courteous
refined, gentleman in all his acts and |
words? Why could she not love him and
be content?
There on the desk lay little scrap of |!
note paper; there lay her pen; dozen
words only were necessary. One mo- |
ment she guzed longingly. wistfully, at
the far away, darkening heights of the
Rockies, watching the last rose tinted
CLEANS on the snowy peaks; then with
hidden impulse she seized her pen and
drew the portfolio to the window seat.
AS she did so, a soldierly figure came
briskly down the walk; pale, clear cut
face glanced up at her easement; n
quick light of recognition and pleasure
flashed in his eyes; tho little forage can
was raised with courteous grace. though
the step never slackened. and Miss Tray
crs felt that her cheek. too, was flushing
again. rs Mr.. Hayne strobe rapidly by,
She stood there another moment, and
then--it had grown too dark to write.
When Mrs. Rayner, after calling twice
from the bottom of the stairs, finally
went up into her room and impatiently
pushed open the door, all was darkness
except the glimmer from the hearth:
Nellie. where are you?'
Here" answered Miss Travers, start.
ing up from the sofa. II think I must
have been asleep"
Your head is hot as fire." said her
sister. laying her firm white hand upon
The burning forehead. II suppose you
src going to be downright i'll, by way of
diversion. Just understand one thing,
Nellie, that doctor does not come into
ny house."
What doctor:-not that want one,r
lsked Miss Travers, YEARLY.
"Dr. Pease, the post surgeon. mean. ,
)f course you have heard how he is mix /,