Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1892-05-20

through the center OF the earth? Have
you just left the Antipodcs? We were
Just speaking OF you man. when we
looked up and saw you standing in
the doorway"
Il came the usual way" answers
Neville. and his voice sounds harsh
and distinct through the buzzing in
my ears. Il have been away. Frank
seven years all but one month. and
come back to find you just where
left you in the corner of Lady Some
body's drawing room. talking to Mrs
Goldingham.
Both shadows laugh.
Are you home for good?"
''For good?' Neville seems to pom
der. Il don't think anything is for
good. l have come home for =
change"
Tired of Australia. Neville?"
Tired of life"
Then the buzzing sound becomes
louder; seem to hear through mist
as it were in another life. 1T is
Dulce!" and then remember no more
till l find myself in small boudoir
behind the back drawing room with
Neville by my side.
did l faint? Is it you?" l asked
stupidity. for l thought l must be
dreaming. That man called YOU
Crofton; are you really the Neville
Surtees used to know"
no not the Neville you cast aside,
but bad imitation of him labeled
Crofton. An old man in Australia
died three years ago and left me his
fortune and his name. / wanted
neither. but | took both and
have nothing to do with trade now.
Eulce. beg your pardon | should
have said Miss Malcolm. BY the by,
how is Mr.. Malcolm"
He died three years ago and live
alone at the old place"
l am surprised to find how calmly
can speak; perhaps the repression of
the last seven years has taught me
self-control.
Il never knew" he answers with
panied look in his brown eyes.
Suddenly figure appears at the
door-a small woman dressed in the
extremity OF the fashion. with her fair
golden curls piled lightly into the last
new shape.
Are you not coming, Neville? 1t
is time to go on to Mrs. Hawkes."
'Ahn' Neville seems about to say
something then he turns TO me- and
bites his lip.
Are you better Miss Malcolm?
Can leave you?"
Yes thank you. But are you going?
shall | not see you again soon?'
Il think not. Yes. l.. dia | am
coming" for the small person in the
doorway is getting impatient. Good
by " he says abruptly. holding my
cold hand in his strong, warm grasp
Il am going back to Australia d.
rectly."
They are gone and my cousin comes
busting in. She is stout and pale, a
humdrum sort of woman. very matter
of fact and without the smallest spice
OF humor, quite incapable of taking in
more than one idea at time, and I'M
sympathetic to any one or anything
that is not absolutely connected with
her own health or her position in
society.
They tell me you tainted. Dulce-
the room is very hot; but Lady Ethel
dreda is so nice. her parties are
always crammed. Such a number of
nice people here. BY the by, l saw
that tall man you used to know
Neville Something or other-he has
brought home a new name and
wife"
"A wife, Cousin Elizabeth! was that
his wife?"
Somehow it had never occurred to
me. My head is still stupid and con-
fused, or | must have known that was
his wife.
'Ies a granddaughter of Lord b. s.
my dear and a great catch. Hs
always was a lucky man. and he
never stuck much in one groove but
moved about and made fresh friends
wherever he went. He always
got on well with really nice people,
although | believe his father was only
an ironmaster Come, Dulce. it is
getting late. and if you look so white |
shall no. take you to the Colmans' to-
morrow.
Not another AT Home Cousin
Elizabeth, l plead. II will never
go TO one again. The-the rooms
are so hot" my. voice breaks into
tears
Cousin Elizabeth stares. She calls
every mood she cannot understand at
once "hysterical."
You are hysterical Dulce. At
your age you should know better
Come home ut onceh
follow her meekly downstairs give
up my crumpled cloak ticket in ex-
change for my equally crumpled
cloak, and we drive silently home
through the dark cool night.
That page of my LIES history is
closed forever. | tell cousin Elizabeth
that London and lato hours do not
agree with me. and | spend the quiet
days in my country home. each hour
ladon with small duties my little store
OF withered memories watered by
silent tears.
And Neville? had this one letter
from him:
DEAR DuLCE-Your sad little face haunts
me, and l can blame no one but myself.
Had i been patient land yet could wait
for your fathers death to free YOU'D and
lived my life on in England all might have
b ven different Now the spirit of unrest
grows within me- must exercise him by
change OF scene. Ny wife will not go back
with me to Aust al a, so think of me alone
as you are. Yours las in old times,)
NEVILLE"
l have never seen him since we met
and parted-at Lady Etheldredas AT
Home. "-Temple Bar.