Evening journal., 1892-11-11

The cottonwoodsowere showering the
Rocky mountain world with their silken
mockery of snowfakes; summer was
working its miracles of beauty upon the
earth, and weary hearts were stirring
with evanescent taste of youth again in
Joy with natures rejuvenescence.
In every soft breeze that famed his
cheek Donald Bartels heard a whispered
invitation to the woods. While the
streams were still so swollen from the
spring floods as to fill every trout beyond
the possibility Of seeing temptation in
the most alluring fly, he must fit joints
of his split bamboo together to make
sure it was ready for conquest, must
lovingly finger over the parti-colored
pages of his fly book, and lay in a new
supply of superfuous lines and leaders.
1--WE are talking of going up on Snake
creek to spend the Fourth" he an
nounced, with anticipatory delight, just
before the day of national celebration.
''They say the fishing there this year is
away ahead of anything in Colorado"
''The name does not sound very prom
ising, does it," smiling at his eagerness.
They were getting on fairly well in
these days, in a comfortable, matter of
fact friendliness. They did not much
affect each others society-each went
his or her own way in an harmonious
ndependence-but three times a day at
least they assumed a kindly interest in
each others sayings and doings when
they met at table. And if either some
times sighed for other days, they had to
remember more recent times of stormy
passion and jealous fury, and find food
for graduation in the reflection that this
present epoch might be far worse than
it was.
"And who are goingr"
"Only ingalls,, Horton and myself, so
far as heard from. Horton spoke of ask
ing that young Bardill who was at the
park last summer-I presume you met
him."
Possibly; but don't recall him."
"a cadaverous youth who hung about
the Rogerses a good DEAL" absently alb
sorbed in his fly book.
''No," dryly. "It was a cadaverous
clergyman who hung about that quarter
in my day; and his name was not
Bardill."
"Bardill had probably gone before you
got there. That's a pretty fly, Nita,
admiringly holding it out for her in
spection.
Lovely" with we'll simulated enthu
siasm, seeing nothing to distinguish il
from any other of those bits Of feathers
that covered the page on his knee.
"Do you know" hesitating almost
shyly, II thought perhaps you might
like to go. They tell me it is lovely
place to camp, and Dewey said that h'
and his wife would go if there wer'
other ladies. You have not been lookinl
well lately; the trip might do you good.
"And is this young Bardill still hang
ing about the Rogersesy
"Tm sure don't know. Why?" star
ing, surprised at the irrelevant question
"Only was wondering if they woul'
be invited" She could have bitten he
tongue for the impulsive candor. Hi
face flushed angrily.
Nobody has suggested it, folding n
the flies and coldly rising to go. g
infer from your manner that you don
much care to belnvited though. Well,
more pleasantly, ''it might be a har
jaunt for you, and you were never owe
fond of camping. Perhaps you are wis
to keep yourself cool at home"
After a moment Of hesitation she fol
lowed after him to the hall door. "Why
Don, You hardly gave me time to spea
for myself" she gently expostulated
''If you don't mind-if it would no
make too much trouble for you," in
small, meek voice, II think would Ik
to 60 very much" There was sol
entreaty in her eyes that brought him
full step nearer her.
Trouble, child Why, if 1 had nc
wanted you would not have asked yoV
would II shall only be too glad to hay
you, as you ought TO know" He mad
a slight movement as if he might /
going to bend and kiss her, as he used
do when she followed him to the doc
like this, but she drew back quickl,
turning her head to hide her burnin
blush. He must not imagine that 81
had followed him for that.
l Her strength seemed utterly exhausts
as she slowly dragged herself up Il