The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1891-01-31

SPARE me SO easily * were On IN A2sss-
chrsetts with Geralds
"sh. no, indeeG.- cried Brenda "But
l think you grow gloomy. Louis. from
living in such complete seclus;oa-
I'm gloomy by nature. said Louis,
with one Of his sad little smiles
Heaven only knows why son should
Ter exclaimed Gerald, with glance at
the richly appointed room wherin they
sat. You've everything to make you
jolly as cricket" he went On: and now
thes- came a mellowness into his hazel
eyes as he Fixed them on Brenla's face
and softly added. including the lowell
est sister On the face Of the earth"
Brenda blushed and gave her golden
head little mutinous toss She had
reached the feminine age that often re-
sents broad compliments as tiresome,
and a trifie vulgar besides. But if Ger
aid could have seen, by some clairvoy-
ant wizardry, how her heart was autter-
ing at the thought Of such high praise
from his lips he might perhaps have
failed to regret the rather intimate bold
ness Of what he had Just said. Some
times he told himself that he rebelled
ungraciously against Brenda's assump-
ton Of the grown up young Lady, and
again he would feel indignant flushes
that she should find it in her heart to
alter their old. careless relations by .
distance and ceremony which depressed
and chilled.
"Confound II, be once said to Louis,
brenda acts a. il we'd never sat in the
same swing together, and made voyages
with our heels up among TIE birds
nests, not to speak Of letting the old cat
die with our arms quite Unnecessarily
about one anotAefs waists."
Louis smiled. ''Oh, don't b annoyed
It Brenda1 ain" he returned. Il dare
ny III young giris put them On in abun-
dance. Besides, II she now and then
seems distrait, Gerald. its NO doubt BE-
cause Sizes worried 1t the way our poor
father gees on failing worse and worse
iron week to week"
Tho Bonds were now back In their
charming country place, and . short
time after they had quilted town to
come thither Crawford Bond rapidly
sank and died. The funeral was held in
. quiet country church not far from
Shadyshore, though many prominent
New Workers came up by train to attend
It. Afterward the body was inferred in
. family vault on the Bond estate-a
massive granite mausoleum which the
late proprietor had caused tn be built
soon after purchasing Shadyshore, and
to which the remains Of his wife had
long ago been consigned.
The funeral threw q terrible gloom
over Louis. He had loved his father
dearly, and yet Gerald soon ssw that
tho young mans toFpof and sadness
were not solely . product Of bereave-
ment. It was plain that Louis hardly
had enough viii power to concern himself
with those immediate tasks which the
administration of his fathers affairs de-
Gerald assisted his Tagging
energies as much Is proved possible, and
finally induced him to take a short sum-
mer trip among the northern lakes.
Brenda was deeply gratified by this plan.
and gave Gerald certain thankful words
and looks because Of it that divinely re-
paid him for all annoyances at her past
hauteur. ..-
For time the spirits of Louis under
went q change. The weather in Mon
treal. on the st. Lawrence and on Lake
Superior CHANGED to DO delicious. and
there were hours, if not actual days.
when his companion felt hopeful that |
the sombcr cloud had permanently lifted |
from his soul. Then tho old indifference
and dreariness would take hold of him
once more, and at last, by the time Of |
their return to Shadyshore. it became
evident that he was really no better than
he had been when they started.
II am haunted with an idea" he sud-
denly announced to Gerald one evening.
as the two friends were seated together
in moaastic, high wainscoted. book
lined. room. which was the perfection Of
y library. 1T never leaves me. l have
not told it to you or to any one. And
yet you arc, Of all people, the one whom
II would seem most closely to concern"
Gerald felt a sort of light shivcr pass
through his frame. He had long dreaded
lest some insanity might be at the root
81 his friends peculiar behavior, and
there now seemed in Louis tone and de-
mcanor not positive confirmation of
such fears. but ut least the delicate and
prophecy Of it.
Haunting ideas should be treated
WITH extreme rudeness." he now said. in
! voice gayer than were his f,,rt;y, Co.,
ngs. when THEY'RE morbid, Lou. thew
should be insulted up and down. and
given the most inhosnitsh]e notice tn
luit."
To n. r,nt:,., Nv w,