Evening journal., 1892-11-01
rne berond hls comprehension.

| give the poor woman the benefit of q
doubt even when she is proved inno-
cent?
But the proof was by no means clear
10 Mrs. Bartels mind, although she
made an effort to veneer her manner
with a certain cold cordiality when cir
cumstances threw her into the society Of
Mrs. Rogers; for the Argus-eyed world
must not see in her attitude any hint OF
jealousy or dislike, TO prop up the old
tales and set the tongues wagging again
Donald came home late TO dinner on
the day after the Rogerses evening call.
81 am willing to be forgiven he ex-
claimed, in laughing apology, as he I'M
folded his napkin. Anita, like most
good housekeepers, was never pleased
when a nice dinner was spoiled by wait
ing. "Dr. Rogers came around TO the
Office and detained me. He has taken
you at your word, and wants me to go
up to Lake Park with him."
"Yes" hstlessly, seemingly absorbed
In counting the peas she was serving.
81 must say l was tempted" he care
lessly continued. Rogers is such jolly
good fellow. don't know Of anybody
would rather go with on such a trip
barring yourself, Donna Anita. II nIhad
not hoped you would change your mind
and go after all, think l would have
come very near saying yes to him."
"But l shall not change my mind"
shaking her head, with slow smile.
She was not pleased with this new plan.
Perhaps she had never seriously expected
him to take her at her word and go with
out her. 1t is so easy to feel magnani-
nous when it may cost nothing but
words. Certainly she had never thought
to see the Rogers family represented in
her place.
"Carlton"-this was his partner who
had been ailing for a dayor two-"win
be around tomorrow all right, he told
me this morning. and there is nothing
to do at the Office just now anyway.
could get away for a week ortwo as well
as not. 1t seems like flying in the face
Of Providence to let such an opportunity
go by indeed. say" Frightening with
his thought, but still regarding her
doubtfully, II might go with Rogers,
and then If your interesting aunt fails 10
show up, you might come up the last OF
the week and join us"
"And Mrs Rogers-is she goingg' with
a sudden flush on her cheeks.
"Of course should have known bet
r ter than to have considered the plan for
( moment if she WERE" with a SHARP
, tinge Of sarcasm in his voice. "She i.
going TO visit some friends on n ranch
| a few miles east Of here, for couple OF
weeks, and then meet Rogers at the
) park, he told me. They have hired q
) cabin there for September"
r "Oh," with an evident accession Of in
! terest. "And when did you plan to goy
5 1--WE did not plan to go at all, good
5 humoredly smiling, but with an obvious
t shadow Of disappointment on his face
Rogers proposed that we should star
D tomorrow morning early, go on horse
F. back, get up to Lost creek about noon
fish there through the afternoon, put NJ
- at Longman's ranch for the night, an,
I on to the park the next morning. Bu
d Of course did not seriously think of go
r ing"
q Anita knew what this trip meant 4
n him who loved the freedom Of the wood
D with the ardor of a schoolboy, to WHOM
o trout fishing was the only pursuit worthl
. the name of sport Aud why should h,
be denied this pleasure. which nigh
8 yield him such rich returns in healthful
a ness as well? Donald's fair, blond fac
2 looked pallid where he sat in shadow
/ surely he needed the tonic Of the woods
Anita's heart smote her with swift com
i Function for her ungenerous hesitancy.
] "But why should you not gog" shI
l. asked with quick kindness
I Because. from your face, don't be
|. lieve you want me to" with his sum.
/, laugh at is very dattering. And, be
r sides. l don't care anything about goini
r without you anyway" Anita's glanc
# fell upon him like caress. For but
q cloud on her face he would throw asid
2 this pleasure without a second thought
k How tender he was of her-how unself
r ishl But could she not on her side be a
o generous?
g. "But you are quite wrong" she eager
q ly protested "You do not know M
y face yet, dear, if it can deceive you lik
a that. OF course want you TO go; and
o am delighted at this opportunity 70
!. You. As you say you could not have
Il more desirable companion than d.
n Rogers for such an outing, and l shal
!. insist upon your going with him."
IF | could only have you with mel
/. regarding her wistfully.
e "But you viii have the grand noun
s. tain scenery. the cool, gurgling trou
brooks and the breath Of the pines-alr
T. pie compensation for so small loss.
70 at would spoil it all to think Of 20
r. here alone
n Anita came around the table an
" drawing his head back pressed a kiss o
.r the cheek, where the flesh was soft an
it fair as that of a girl DO you know,
she said with a tender little laugh, "yo
"A remind me of one Cneius Pompey. abou
a whom ! was reading this morning VIII
1 was, according to Froude, so good an
d" beautiful, and so delightful 10 wome
ST withal. that they all longed to bit
n himy
y "Oh, thanks awfully." laughingly fee
,e ing in his pocket as though to sestis sh
Id score. What do you want for it:"
b 81 want you to listen TO reason, mu