The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-03-27

two, sometimes month with them. This
hotel had not been thought of then"
After this conversation Rosamond
thought more than ever about Gabriel.
He came often to the hotel to see the old
judge, and rarely went away without seek
ing her society for a few minutes. One
day judge Talcot invited her to go with
him and spend an evening at the Law
rences, including Miss Derlng in the in
vitatiOn.
They eagerly accepted and after supper
they were driven over. Miss Dering and
singularly silent. She trembled little
with anticipation. They received a warm
welcome; even the invalid frightened
under the judges genial influence, and
Gabriel was really gay and brilliant. He
brought out an old violin before the even
ing was over, and to Rosamond's accom-.
paniment on the piano played some lovely
fire, for it was chilly September evening,
and under cover of their applause Rosa
mond said:
"You play divinely."
at is one of the amusements of my win
ter evenings" he replied, looking down
into her eyes, his own full of light, the I'M
guarded light of love. Her heart gave a
bound; she felt the color rising in her face
what other amusements have you for
long winter evenings"
Reading, thinking, talking to my
mother and sister"
II have heard of-of your noble self-sac-
rifce"
He flushed deeply, his lips twitched with
pain. "You-you-know-"
And honor you more than / can say.
Forgive me, could not help abiding to
II could forgive you anything" he said,
then went quickly away from her.
The judge and Miss Dering had risen to
take leave. and Rosamond put on her
things. AT the hotel she found letter
summoning her home within a week. She
read it with a sigh of relief. 1t affo rded a
means of escape from Gabriel, from her
self. He loved her and she-she loved
him, but to marry him-she thought of
his rough work, his gloomy old mother
embitted by shame and sorrow, his
querulous, invalid sister, and shuddered.
1t would be better to pluck her heart out
than to give herself to such a life On the
other hand, what an ever-fresh delight his
companionship would be to her; what a
tower of strength to lean upon.
She arose and walked the floor then
threw herself upon the bed. What would
her sister say TO such marriage, and her
brother-in-law? What an outcry there
would be among her relations and friends
1t was insanity TO think of him, and at her
age, too. A girl might be excused for
throwing herself away tor love at II, but
never at 81
\ keen sense of her own selfishness
smote her. Why did she not leave him
alone? She had made the first friendly
advances, smiled on him, encouraged him,
and now to throw him oversize buried
her face in the pillow.
The next morning she announced her
intention to depart for Savannah on the
evening train. She looked paler than
usual and her eyes had the heavy look of
a person who had not slept we'll. Miss
Derlng tried to persuade her TO stay over
another day, but when she refused the
good spinster packed her own trunks, de-
gliding TO go with her. All the morning
Rosamond hoped that Gabriel would come
TO the hotel. She did not want to go with
out bidding him good bye
In the afternoon she went alone, through
the woods, to the glen where the logs he
had cut lay seasoning. The ferns were
| ruSSet-color from the frosty nights and
the stalks of golden-rod blooming in sunny
| places had turned from gold to gray She
| dlu not expect 10 see any one, and when
GABRIEL came up the stream with n gun
across his shoulder, she blushed with min
| gled pleasure and vexation.
came TO look again at those great
ialeh trees. What pity TO cut them
| down, she said, and pointed to the shriy-
eled twigs and leaves.
The young limbs Will make good
hrewood later in the season." he replied
| absently.
She stirred heap of chips with her par
| asol. Il am glad We have met, as wished
TO say good-by."
away?" e-e
Yes, this evening"
IL Is best he muttered.
~, hat did you say ?'' she cried.
| j., That 1t is good thing, a fortunate
thlnS tor me you are going. / love you.
ana were You 10 remain | should tell YOU
| SO every day; | should forget everything
and beg you 10 be my wife"
He put down the gun and stepped across
the log TO her side. AS he did so a great
rattiesnake, disturbed by her parasol,
erawled out from under the pile of chips,
us spotted, scaly body glittering in a
streak OF sunlight. Rosamond screamed
and started hack as it raised its head. hiss.