The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-08-28
USY;
The Story of a Wait.
ny BRET HARTE.
Copyright. 1899, Nv F,rntn ~ Ha,s.
CAAPTER v.--tConunusAL.

CHAPTER v.-tConanasAL
She laughed AT his changed expression and
thsa herself easiiy 10 4 sitting posture
on the low projecting branch OF a hemiook.
The act was eth Eirlish, but nevertheless she
still hooked down upon him In a superior pa
trontEing way. Now. Clarence che said,
with Q heit-abstrActed manner don't you be
abie fool! II you talk that why to mother
she'll only tell you you must wait two or three
years until you know your wi mind. and
she'll pack ne on to That horid school again.
besldss Watching me like . cat every moment
you are here. II you want to stat here and
Gee mt sometime like this -you'n lust behave
as you have done and say nothing. Do You
see? Perhaps you don't care to come. or are
sstisAsd With Mary and mother. Say so. then.
Goodness knews, I don't want to force you
- come here"
Modest and reserved as Clarence was gener.
Allv. I fear that bAsAfulness OF approach to
the other sex was not one Of these Indications
H walked up to Susy with appalling direct.
ness. and passed his arm around her waist.
She did not move. but remained looking at
him aad HE intrudinx arm with a certain criti.
cal curiosity. a. II awaiting some novel sensa.
ton. At that he kissed her. She then slowly
disengaxSd her arm. and said Really. upon
ny word. Clarence" in perfectly level tones,
aud slipped quietly 10 the ground. He
again caught her in his arms. en-
circfing her disarranged hair and part
Of the %beribboned hat hanging over her shoul.
der. aud remained Tor an instant holding her
thus silently and tsndsriy. Then she freed
herself with an distracted ait. 3 half smile aud
an unchanged color except where her soft
cheek had beeA abraded by his coat collar.
You're a hold. rude boy. Clarence she said.
putting back her hair quietly aud straichten-
ing the hrim OF her hat. Heaven knows
where you learnt manners" and then from .
safe distance. with the same critical look in
her violet eyes Il suppose you think mother
would allow that-if she knew it."
But Clarence. now completely subjected.
With the msmory OF the kiss upoa him aud a
heightened color. protested that no only
wanted TO make their intercourse less con.
strained and to have their reiations-even
their ACKNOWLEDGMENT BY their pa
rents. But still he would take her advice.
Only there was always the danger that ii they
were discovered she would be sent back to the
convent all the same. aud his banishmsn in.
stead OF being the probation Of = few years.
would be a perpetual separation.
We could always run away Clarence" re-
srcnded the young girl calmly. There's
nothing the matter with that
Clarence was sta The idea OF desoiat.
Jag the sad. proud. handsome Mrs. Peyton.
whom he worshipped. her kind husband.
whom ne was lust about to serve. was gro.
ts~qus aud confusing. but he said hopelessly:
Yes"
or course" she continued with thu same
odd alfectation OF coyness which Was. how
AVAr Rfin AiufinNtlr uncollpl for az Sha oruI
him from under her broad hat. you needn't
come with me unless you like. lean run away
mysslf-ifl wantto I've thought OF 1t before.
One can't stand everything,
But. susy." said Clarence. With n swift. re-
mo-seiul recollection Of her confidence yes
terfay. Is there really anything troubles you.
Tell me. dear. what is it ?"
%. nothinG-everythinc. It's no use: you
.nn't understand! You like II. I know you
-: I can Sec 1t: it's your style. But it's stupid.
It's awful. Clarence! With mamma shopping
ever you and around you all dav. with her
'Dsar child Mammals pet and What 10 it.
<eary aud Toll it ell u your own mamma"
Is il l would! And my own mamma. indeed!
ASH I didn't know. Clarence. that she isn't.
And pspa-carinR for nothing but this hideous.
dreRry rancho and the huve. empty plains!
It's worse than school. for there. at least. when
you went out you could soc somsthiug besidos
cattle and horsns. and yellow-fsced half breeds
But here Lord! It's only II wonder I haven't
run away bsfore!"
Startled and shocked as Clareuce was at this
revelation. accompanied as it was by n hard.
ness Of manner thar WAS new to him. the inhu-
nnce Of the young girl was still SO strong upon
him that he tried to evuds it as only an ex.
t~raraGance. and said. with n faint sniIe. But
where would you run to-
Ghn topt-aH af him cnDOfpD1y with har HAD
on one side aud then said: Il have friends
aud" She hesitated, pursuing up her lip..
And whatY"
Relations"
"Reiations?"
Yes. an aunt by marriage. She lives in
Sacramento. She'd bs overioysd to have me
come to hcr. Her second husband has Z thea
tre there"
Bat. Susy. what does Mrs. Peyton know Of
this /"
Nothing. Do you think I'd toll her and
have her buy them up rs she has my other re-
lsttonsp Do YOU ppos l don't know that
I've bsen bought up like a Niger" She
looked indignant. comprsssing her delicate
little ~nostrils. sud yet somehow Clarence had
the same singular impression that she was
only acting.
Tbs calling OF q fsr-oK voice came family
through the wood.
That's Mary looking for me-" said usy.
senpossdiy. You must 90 now. Clarence.
Quick! Remember what I ssid-and don't
SresAhe . word OF this. Good-by."
But Clarence was standing still breathless.
hopelsssly disturbed and irrssoluts. Then he
turned way mechanically toward the trail
We'll. Clarence 7"
She was looking at him half rsproaohfuiiy.
halt soqustishly. with smiling. partsd lips.