Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-11-22

fully the smoke of his good cigar, occa-
sionally taking a sip of brandy from a
glass that stood on Q little table beside
him. which ne had frequently filled from
. black bottle near it, during the night,
Kenneth Byrne gazed out on the jetty
crows gathered on the yellow sand. on
the odd figures Of fishermen and clam
men, out on the calm water, as notion
less as painted forms. But though his
eyes fell on the cold gray scenery on the
picture Of rural life Kenneth saw moth
ing Of it.
He had been sitting here for hours with
his cigars, his matches, and his brandy
bottle for companions. for sleep had been
driven from his eyes BY the thought of
his promise to call on Olga Astange that
day.
What possessed me to promise such q
thing2 What made me such fool as to
think for moment it would be kind to
save her from the world by making her
my wife2
MY wife! What has man like my
self to give woman to make her happy?
Faith? Why, I have never kept faith
with myself. Love? I do not believe
there is such thing as constancy to one
affection for over three months at most.
Respect? Well, have never yet seen
female worthy Of it-false, vain, hypo-
critical-why should respect them?
Mother is the only one have ever seen
worthy or honor. and she-whew!"
his face wore a strange expression as
he stared straight before him; but pres
emily he resumed:
IF should marry this girl, deceiving
myself by the belief that loved her,
what would be the result? should wake to
find her a tiresome burden to he cared for
during life. After few weeks, would
despise myself for my folly, and seek the
world to forget her tears.
suppose in q years time there would
be another sad-eyed, pale-faced woman
added to the list of miserables; another
reckless, defiant, dissipated man at
tached to the list of wicked ones. No,
no, no. The way to avoid a mistake is to
be cautious. Handsome Miss Olga will
not see me to-day"
So he muttered one moment; the next
he took different view of the affair.
Though but schoolgirl, she is right
A man is not half q man living without
an object. Every one wants something
to strive for: some one to look to for at
lection and sympathy during his work.
with girl like that for wife to en-
courage me to do better, to be a nobler
man, might find idleness and folly less
attractive than they now seem. l am not
happy at present. With bright, cheer
full, loving wife perhaps I might be.
Well, I've mind to risk it.
Il would, if we're not afraid for her.
1t would grieve me to cloud her eyes with
sorrow, and make her proud face pale
with pain. Dear little Olga; she is too
good for me- But would like to make
myself worthy of her, and who knows but
that CAM"
He rose and walked about the room in
q disturbed manner. Usually when he
decided to do thing he did it, without
parley or generalization; but again he sat
down presently, and said
Il wish it would rain. I would take
that as an excuse for not going. l should
feel the fates had set their faces against
my effort to win that young girls love,
and would hasten from her."
But it did not rain. The sun shone out
in blaze Of beauty, the sky was without
one dark cloud.
turned to go downstairs to breakfast. AS
he did so Griffith entered the room.
Ken, he said, then added abruptly,
'Oh, you are going below!"
"Yes. Why?"
As the two brothers stood side by side
the one seemed to grow in manly proper.
tons, the other seemed to be more insig-
nifcant than at any other time.
Il was just about to ask you. Ken, il
you-you were going to pay wilkins to-
day, or if you are hard up?"
Il told you was, last night! There il
no use in limiting around, Griffith. I car
not lend you any money. Yours is
debt of honor. you must pay it. Face the
music, and tell the old lady So" advised
Kenneth.
Il begged of her last week, and it die
no good" answered Griffith moodily
you know it would never do to let hel
know we gamble"
"That you do, you mean. My mother
knows ali my bad habits" said kenneth
and he strobe from the room, through the
long, dark corridor, down the wide stairs
into the hall, and out on the broad We.
rands. Modify enough he went over the
gravel path leading to the barn.
I suppose" he said to himself, Il will
have to give Griffith my money to pay his
debt, and confess myself gambler tt
the old lady in order to pay my own. Tha'
The had reached the barn and entered
It. Passing several stalls. from which
bright eyes looked out at him, and vel.
vety noses were thrust after him, he came
to one where young flly slowly muncheG
her morning allowance of oats.
The hard lines on his face relaxed, the
stern look in his eyes vanished. Ken.
meth had said he loved his horse; his of
lection was perceptible.
well, Lady Belle" he said, pattine
her shining black head. Pretty Lady
Belle, are you glad to see the master wht
brought these to you all the way from
New York;"
He took handful of candies from hi
pocket as he spoke, and held them out te
her.
The bright eyes seemed to thank him
as the creature ate them, and his HAND
gently caressed her.
Il love you. Lady Belle. he murmured
you are the only living thing that hal
not imposed on my good nature"
Little did he dream what Lady Belle
was to do for him as he uttered the words
for Lady Belle was to strangely affec
his future.
"Hark! there is the breakfast bell.
must hasten home, Lady Belle, or m,
mere will freeze me with look Of anger
caused by my hardness"
The horse gave sympathetic neigh
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