The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-08-28

conviction that Susy was utterly I'M
worthy of his love. 1t so CHANGED one
morning that the vaguero who brought
the post from Santa Inez arrived earlier
than usual and so anticipated the two
girls. who usually made a youthful point
OF meeting him first as he passed the
garden wall. The letter bag was con-
sequently delivered to Mrs. Peyton in the
presence of the others and look of con-
sternation passed between the young girls.
But Mary quickly seized upon the bag as
if with girlish and mischievous impa-
thence, opened it and glanced within it.
There are only three letters for you"
she SAID, handing them to Clarence with
quick look of significance which he
failed to comprehend, land nothing for
me and Susy." But" began the inno-
cent Clarence, as his first glance at the
letters showed him that one was directed
to Susv, ''here is" A wicked pinch on
his arm that was nearest Mary stopped his
speech, and he quickly put the letters in
his pocket. Didn't you understand that
Susy don't want her mother to see that
letter." asked Mary impatiently when
they were alone moment later. No."
said Clarence simple, handing her tho
missive. Mary took 1t and turned it over
in her hands. Its in mans hand
writing" she said innocently II
hadn't noticed it," returned Clarence
with invincible naivete, but perhaps
il is" and you hand it over for me to
give TO Susy and amt bit curious to
know who its from?" No" returned
Clarence, opening his big eyes in smiling
and apologize wonder. WELL" re-
sponded the young lady, with a long
breath of melancholy establishment,
certainly OF all things you are-you
really are" With which incohe-
rency, apparently perfectly intelligibe to
lnlf hp Loft i'm, he f,nI h.,.
the slightest idea who the letter was
from; she only knew that Susy wanted it
concealed
The incident made little impression on
Clarence, except as part of the general I'M
easiness he felt in regard to his old play
mate. 1t seemed so odd to him that this
worry should come from her-that she
herself should form the one discordant
note IN the Arcadian dream that he had
found so sweet; in his previous imagin-
lngs IL was the presence of Mrs. Peyton
which he had dreaded; she whose pro-
pinquity now seemed so full of gentleness.
reinsurance and repose. How worthy she
seemed of any sacrifice he could make for
her. He had seen so little of her for the
last TWO or three days, although her smile
and greeting were always ready for him.
Poor Clarence did not dream that she had
found from certain incontestabIe signs and
tokens, both in the young ladies and him.
self. that he did not require watching. and
that. becoming more resigned to Susy's
indifference. which seemed so general and
passive In quality, she was no longer tor
tured uy the sting of jealousy.
Finding himself alone that afternoon.
the young man had wandered somewhat
Hstlessly beyond the low adobe gateway.
The habits o! the siesta obtained in a mod
lhed form at the rancho. After luncheon
its masters and employees usually retired.
not so much from the torrid heat of the
afternoon sun, but from the first harryiny
of the afternoon trades. whose monoton.
Gus whistle swept around the walls.
Struggling passion vine near the gate beat
ana struggled against the wind. Clarence
had stopped near IL. and was gazing with
worried abstraction across the tossing
neIds, when a soft voice called his name.
1t was pleasant voice-Mrs. Peyton'sl
lie glanced back at the gateway; II was
empty; he looked quickly TO the right and
LETT; no one was there
he voice spoke again with the musical
addition OF laugh; il seemed to come
from the passion vine. All yes-behind il
ana half oyergrown by its branches was a
long narrow emorasured opening in the
wal! defended by the usual Spanish graf
ing, and still further back a. in the frame
al a picture, the halt length figure of Mrs.
feyton. very handsome and striking. too.
with painted picturesqueness from the
effect OF the cheqUered light and shade.
You look 50 tired and bored out there. ~,
she said. Il am afraid you are finding IL
very dull at the rancho. The prospect
certainly Is not very enlivening from
where Won stand"
Clarence protested With visible pleas
ure IN his eyes as he held back a spray be-
fore the opening
III you ars not AFRAID Of being worse