Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1891-10-03

the window, or peer carefully from the half
CLOSED shutters, but claspsd my hands tightly
orer my eyes Nil tho sound Of footsteps died
away IN the distance Then | cr4pt stealthily
down stairs and stepped into the silent par
lor. where 40 lately he had been. was half
across tla room before | noticed that was
not alone, aud then. before | could make a
hasty retreat. a glad. merry voice, rich with
Its golden music, exclaimed:
my own dear little Mrs. Haynes, as livei
How happy l am 10 see your and hand
clasped mine tightly, while pair OF bearded
lips were bent down TO mine. drew my
head back haughtily. was a little child no
longer. would not accept, even from him,
the car'ss that he had bestowed upon nie i've
years before.
"Ah, Mr. Haynes" said, bowing in a
aignified way, ~ am pleased 10 see YOU
My manner chilled at once his warm,
genial nature. Stepping back from me and
releasing my hand he said, with curl OF his
finely cut lifss:
''YoHr pardon, Miss Lester; had quite
forgotten that you had grown TO bo fine
ladyI"
bowed him back reply, flashing quick,
imPetuous glance upon him as did 50. But
there was no pleasantly attempted on his
part, and when my mother entered the room
few moments after and referred langhingly
10 our old engagement, he answered her in a
few evasive words as though the subject was
not an agreeable one 10 him.
Affairs had taken an unhappy turn. but il
was too late 10 remedy them. and day after
day passed away, leaving Mr.. Haynes cold
and distant as he had been from the moment
i first repulsed him. | would have given
worlds 10 recall my unlucky words; yet, since
they were spoken, l would not unbend n
moment from my calm, cool dignity, though
was as miserable and wretched as | could
well be, and knew that Mr.. Haynes shared
my wretchedness.
All the time that could spend in my
chamber without being absolutely rude was
passed there till my strange, unusual appear
ance was noticed by my father and mother,
and my mood commented freely upon before
our guest.
'Sou appear so strange, Pbebe," said my
mother one morning. Il really do not know
how TO understand you I'm afraid Mr..
Haynes will think you are not pleased to see
him. Every chance that occurs you reso-
lutely avoid him, though he were the veri-
est monster, instead of dear friend. What
Is the matterf'
Nothing. The strangeness Of my appear
ance is but a reflection. | cannot help IT,
MIR. Haynes hates and despises me now,n
said, burying my fearful eyes in my hands
"Phebel"
My mothers voice was stern and reproacl-
ful, but did not heed il.
''He does hate me, mother-hates me with
a."
"Your pardon, little Phebe-Miss Lester
but he does not!' broke in the rich, clear
voice of Mr.. Haynes. ''Of all persons in the
world lie paused, and in a moment
more heard my mother step lightly from
the room
II am not cold, naughty and proud" I
said, excitedly, looking up into his face,
land do like you just well-as we'll"
what, little Phebef he asked eagerly, a
quick expression OF JOY lighting up his blue
eyes
''As well us ever did, faltered
"And how well is thati So well that dur.
ing ali these weary years you have not cher.
ished a dream Of the future that did not en-.
circle met So well that every strong
passionate hope of your womanly nature has
reached out constantly to mei As well as
have liked, aye, loved you-till every pulse
OF your heart beats for met As well as this,
Phebef'
| / covered my face that he might not read
the whole expression of my love in my tell
tale eyes, and by 81, cked that il had grown
to be 50 near wild, passionate idolatry
"Will you become Mrs. Haynes in truth,
In earnest. Pheber he asked, drawing me q
my old seat upon his knee.
/ YES
"And will at last wear the ringf'
! held up my finger before his eyes
my own darling little wife; at last my
| little Mrs. Haynes in good faith!n he ex.
claimed, covering my lips with kisses
That night there were sly looks and glances
cast toward me at every turn, and at the sup
per table my father quite forgot himself and
called me little Mrs Haynes again.
Reader, have been happy wife for some
three blessed, sunshiny years. and as you
may have already conjectured, "my name ID
Haynes."