Evening journal., 1892-11-05


ter from the servant at the door. "You
will excuse me if read this?"
1t was from Donald. There had been
some little delay at the park in getting
off, but at last the hunting party was de-
hghtfully established in little park on
the other side of the range. One of their
number was all broken up with the al
titude, and was returning to the park
hence the chance TO get a word to the
dear little woman at home Their larder
was already stocked with venison, but
Individually he had had hard luck and
shot nothing except an owl, which, how
ever, he would bring home in case she
might like to have it stuffed. The fish
ing was simply immense, and he was
having as good time as he possibly
could without his precious girl He
half hoped to find her waiting for him at
the park when they went down the last
Of the week. It seemed as if the fates
must relent, and see to it that the trou-
blesome Martha was kept at home in in
nocuous desuetude. His saddle made a
poor writing desk, and his stylographic
appeared to be possessed Of the devil, so
she must excuse that scrawl, and believe
him ever devotedly hers.
Anita tore the letter into little strips
when she had read it, throwing them
from her with an angry haste that scat
tered a white shower over the side Of the
waste basket. So this was all he pro
posed to tell about that little delay ut
the park" He did not mean to mention
the episode of that night on Ute peak.
even to smooth it over" or refer to his
staying with the Rogerses.
rs it from my lord" asked Gray idly.
watching her with curious eyes. When
is he coming home"
'He did not say, but some time next
week, ] suppose" listlessly reaching for
fan.
He is with a jolly party, presume. q"
"Oh, pre-eminently jolly" hint Of
sarcasm in her voice. He must have
been blind not to have seen the cloud
that had fallen upon her face.
"All men, of coursey'
II don't know why Of course, retorted
Anita sharply. There was one woman
with them at the park who was quite
capable of going on with them to camp
out over the range, if she was at all en-
couraged to do so. dare say she is
with them"
"Ohr' comprehensively. "Is that ity''
1t was partly the reserve of pride that
held her back at this moment, in her re-
awakened wrath. from telling all to her
old time confidant. She could not con
fess to him, who had been so bent on
making her happy in his own way, that
the ordering Of her life as she chose it
had not been a success. Moreover, her
woman's instinct had warned her that
the embers Of his old passion were still
there, ready to be kindled into flame at
q touch. He was again her knight il
she would, ready to fight her cause
against all the world-ezcept himself.
. "ls that what" with a cold stare. 81
don't understand you.
"Oh. nothing. You cannot expect me
to make remarks and explain them too,
such warm weather as this" sleepily re.
garding her. at was rather a pity
though, that Aunt Martha did you out
Of going yourself"
In which case l should have missed
your visit, smiling at him affectionate
ly. 1t was so pleasant to have him there
And then, in an instant, a thought hat
birth so full of evil selfshness as almost
to take her breath away.
1t was a handsome face lying ther,
against the red silk hammock pillow, n,
less winning for the hint of wickednes
in the soft dark eyes and the passion be
trayed in the lines Of the full Tipped sen
sual mouth, with the deep dimple cleav
ing the square cut chin below. a MA
= whom a jealous husband might wei
regard with suspicion was Gray Van
l Zandt, the story Of his lawless, pleasur
loving life written on his face in sign
which he who ran might read. and h.
had been her lover once. If only Donal,
1 might see him as her lover still, TO sui
. fer. If but for moment, the merciles
D pain Of jealousy as she had felt It'll He
t eyes sparkled exultantly at the idea.
| 1T is not too late to go now" she sal
slowly. why should we not, you an
D I? We could drive up tomorrow"
{ "Et puis-apres?' indifferently.
"Apres. we would surprise Don" tn
lines Of her mouth tightening. a crue
ire in her eyes.
o But we are so comfortable here" Ora
= sleepily protested And Don-is h
4 suffering for MS, do you think" liftin
+ his heavy lidled eyes with swift scrutiny
t ."Quien s.be." laughing nervously
, while she flashed little coaxing glanc
3 whose power upon him she knew bu
S too well. las to that. ! must confes
> that my motives were entirely selhsl
u / thought we might enjoy the trip"
5 Gray flushed with pleasure at tha
1 careless we" Il don't know what
t would not enjoy-with you," he sal
= quickly. "And where is this placer
t "Ah, it is forty long miles away, an
Q the mountain roads are simply abomini
o bic, with a teasing laugh. And no
viii you let me take your
81 Nothing could be bad with yot
e cherie. II nest iamais de NAL en- bouf
o eompagnie'- Noltaire and are perfect
agreed in that. And is this wateriu
It placer
: Lake park? Oh after a fashion
e very frontier fashion. It was formerl
$ only watering place for cattle; that j
II il belonged 10 n great cattle company