Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1891-08-21


the more mnddening that no one
was to blame for her sorrow but her
sell The old places had lost their
charm. Everything and everybody
was insipid, fiat and monotonous,
An! If he would only return. how
gladly would she acknowledge her
love, and how gladly would she marry
him at the earliest date he might men
ton. Had she known his address Mt
that time she would have written to
tell him of her love and penitence.
-Four years after Jack was gone
Ruby was at II famous watering place.
She was still the belle ofevery assem-
blage. Her Indifference and utter
carelessness, combined with her rare
beauty, brought her scores of admir-
ers, whom she drove almost mad
with her GOODNESS. She was still as
lovely as ever, but in her big, brown
eyes there was a shade of sadness.
and slight absent look which gave
touch of soul to face that had
heretofore sparkled with wit, and
glowed with gayety and high spirits,
but had feeling. Now it was perfect.
II Jack could only see her now.
One day she was taking her morn
ing stroll, and feelingianunanaccount
able depression ofspirits. Hers great
eyes were wearing their most absent
look, and as they wandered over the
crowd that was ever coming and GO
ing, she started violently and
her delicate, high-bred face turned
as white as the filmy lace
at her throat She fixed an
absorbed gaze on n vehicle that was
slowly passing. The occupant was
a broad-shouldered, grand-looking
man dressed in grey. His shapely
head was crowned with awhite straw
hat, pair of large, disfguring spec
tacles of colored glass completely hid
his eyes; his firm mouth was shaded
with a long brown mustache, and be-
tween his lips was the inevitable cigar.
NO whlskers hid his firm chin and
fine rounded throat. A footman at
his side was drivinga span of spirited
blacks. In an instant the equipage
was hidden by the crowd, but Ruby's
eyes would have known that face, that
form, if it had been a far more fleet
ing glimpse. She drewa long breath,
and by lifetime she reached her hotel,
and looked at herself in her room,
she was startled at the Joyous bright
ness that sparkled in her eyes and
beamed from every feature. All day
her lace wore an eager, expectant
look, her eyes were ever searching
for something. At the hop that
night it was still the same. She with
drew early and sought her room,
weary and heartsick.
"'Oh," she said aloud, in troubled
voice, docs he know | am here, and
still remain aloof?'
She sat there alone, white AMI sad
her face wet with tears; her heart
torn with conflicting emotions, and a
terrible fear that he had forgotten
her. The next morning, after Sleep
less night, she started out alone, her
cheeks pale, her spirits dropping.
She shaped her course for u hidden
retreat behind the rocks, where she
had often dreamed away hours unin-
terrupted. As she neared the place
Ruby saw that her favorite rocky
seat was already occupied by an in
truder. He sat in a responding at
tltude, with his head resting on his
hand his gaze directed towards the
sea. Occupied with her own thoughts.
Ruby was about to turn away with
out taking any notice of him, when
he changed his position, removed
Cigar from his mouth, blew forth
cloud of smoke and Ruby saw who it
was.
Her footsteps had given no sound
on the soft sand. He had not heard
her. She stood perfectly still, tremb-
ling so that she could scarcely stand.
Here was the man for whose
presence she had longed for
all these sad years, and now she
dared not speak to him. He might
receive her patience with scorn, and
he might be married. Terrible, cruel
thought While this was passing
through her mind she was startled
by hearing some one coming that
way whistling. Not wishing be to
seen she sprang behind convenient
boulder, just in time to. escape the
eyes of the new conner, who was the
same man she had seen with Jack
the day before.
The man came up and stopped be-
side Jack, who said, impatiently,
"Why did you come for me so
soon?"
"Why, sir, you said come in an
hour, and it is up sure?"
. Il don't believe it's up" Jack cried
"but because | am poor
blind stick you think you can fool me.
But you can't. Go away and let me
he in peace if you can, and don't dare
to come near me again under an hour
from now. Do you understand? an
hour from now, whole hour"
"Ies, sir, understand, replied
poor Peter deprecatingly, preparing
to move off, after casting a glance at |
the watch he wore to make sure OF the
time.
"Stay,l' called Jack, irritably. |
First tell me if any one is anywhere |
in sight. ! don't want to sit here as
u show for any one if / can help it,"
Not soul, sir, to be seem, re-
sponded Peter, cheeerily.
"Then clear out" was the gentle
reply.
After Johns retreating form was
lost to view Ruby stole forth pale |
and trembliDg-her cheeks moist
with tears of pity. How wretched he |
looked-how sad-how she pitied |
him She forgot avarvt hino b,,t hon