Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-12-28

fixed aesrchingly on her, his hand was on
hers ia his surprise.
And have You no one to lover" he
questioned. Griffith"
She made an angry gesture.
Griffith is out Of the question. she
interrupted, and her eyes looked defiant.
Surely you love him very much?" he
muttered, and she half smiled.
Why should not?" she Knocked.
he did not reply, but he struck his
horses with the whip, and % she watched
him she saw the old bitter, indifferent
expression had come back on his face.
Suddenly she asked in a quivering,
half-frightened voice:
Kenneth. surely you would not have
me acknowledge do not love him? You,
too, would hate me il should prove
faithless to your brother?"
There was q short silence; then he
turned and looked straight into her eyes.
Yes" she answered, Il would hate
YOU. would never forgive YOU"
She shrank little under the vehemence
of his words.
He spoke as If he hated himself; as if
he longed to convince himself he was
the thought that came, sweet as the poi
son in the juice Of the poppy, that if this
girl we're faithless to his brother, he
might wake her heart to the beauty OF
life, as Griffith could never do; that he
MIGHT take her in his arms and say:
BE my better and sweeter self, teach
me the nobility written on your face; be
soul to lead mine from the darkness of
Ignorance and sin; and by your trust and
assistance give me courage to be the man
Of your idealization."
He tried to blast the buds of treachery
to his kinsman at once; he tried to be
proud and honorable, and faithful, but
when she laid her ha nd in his at parting,
when she glanced up into his eyes and
asked him to visit her soon, he told him
self it was but right for him to grant her
request, that he must see her often with
Griffith to accustom himself to the idea
Of their betrothal.
He sought to believe he wished to
study her faults, her petty characteristics,
but in his immortal soul he knew he
wished to be near her because she fasci-
mated him with her naughty patronage Of
and winsome efforts to hide her own weari.
ness from others.
When man truly loves woman,
sometimes his sense Of honor is lost in
his longing to be with her, and Kenneth
had many hard fight with himself to
force out anything but brotherly affec-
ton for Olga; but in his heart he felt
no was not a hypocrite when he made the
effort, for he knew he could never sue
coed.
And such was the state of things in this
world to which Chris came one lovely al
ternoon; came to meet her destiny.
Olga had gone to New York to come up
with her; and as Chris conversed with her
lovely relative; ns she saw the home from
which hapless Grace Astange had been an
outcast. she began to comprehend her
mothers longing for her old life and
friends as she had hitherto been unable
to do; and she wondered if Kenneth
Byrne had told her the truth when he said
sights and sorrow awaited her advent in
the better class of society"
While his name was in her mind, she
looked up and saw him bowling to her
from beside Belle Astange and Griffith on
the veranda.
The gentleman fastened to assist the
ladies from the carriage, and Griffith
coolly made acquaintanship with Chris,
then Lydia aud Belle were introduced,
after which Olga said, affectionately.
Chris. for the first time you must enter
your mothers home leaning on me,
claiming me as protectress."
She dew Chris hand through her arm,
and they crossed the threshold side by
side.
The hall was large and dark, and the
polished walnut floor, very slippery, and
Chris high-heeled boots made her foot
ing uncertain. Suddenly she slid, and
caught at picture for support
The old portrait had hung there for
years. and its heavy weight had been a
constant strain on the cord; so, as Chris
pulled herself erect, the massive frame
came crashing down on the girls.
Olga caught Chris back, uttering q
cry of fear, and moment after the young
heiress was lying on the floor with q
bruise on her head, that had made her I'M
con cious, while her portege was unhurt.
"Oh. cried Belle, wringing her hands
and looking at Chris, she is going to
bring us misfortune. Something horri-
BILE is coming to Olga through this GIRL"
Chris did not move or speak; she met
Kenneth's gaze like one stunned.
chill of fear took away her breath.
Was this picture falling an evil omen?
ITO BE CONTINUED