The DeLamar nugget. [volume] (DeLamar, Idaho) 1891-1900, 1893-03-04
CHAPTER III.

Ant S.
known unto these. and to myself disguisedr
III say as they say,-and persevere so.
| And in this mist ct oil adventures goI
Comedy OF Errors.
The soft rustic of silken garments
announced the approach of Mrs. May
nard. 1t drew nearer, and with noise
less step the lady herself swept into the
North, whose eyes had by this time
become accustomed to the dim twilight,
rose at once with a formal bow. To his
| surprise he found that his nerves were a
little unsteady, his pulses beating a.
little more rapidly than usual. Could
it be that he was excited? The critical
moment had come. He knew that
within the next few seconds his decis-
ion must be made. If be were to retreat
from the reckless course that he had
meditated, it must be in the very mo-
ment of greeting Mrs Maynard; but,
granting that he made this choice,
what acceptable excuse could he offer
for reading note which he was morally
certain was not intended for his pc
rusal, and accepting an invitation which
it was equally certain had never been
extended to himP
This question which, strange to say,
occurred to him now quite for the first
time, produced most paralyzing effect
upon him, and for the moment deprived
him of the power of speech or action.
1t might almost be argued in his de-
Tense that he was not responsible for
what Immediately followed, for as he
stood there in this state of fascinated
indecision Mrs. Maynard unconsciously
turned the wavering scale, in which,
nicely balanced, his line of action lay,
by uttering his name in tones of well
come and holding out her hand to him
cordially. 1t was q small white hand
with solitaire ring sparkling on one
finger-he noticed that in vague sort
OF way-and it rested in his hand, as
lightly as snowflake.
Northrealized then that in his mo-
ment of hesitation he was lost; he
therefore gave himself up to an interest
ing study of Mrs. Maynard and a panic
wonder how best to adapt his
manner and conversation to the pecul-
lar situation in which he had placed
himself
The first consideration was easily dis
posed of. Accustomed to arriving swift
y at conclusions, he summed up Mrs.
in one rapid glance. Age un-
certain, something between twenty-five
md thirty; height little above the
medium; figure graceful and willowy;
lar pale golden, exquisitely fine and
yavy; eyes large, dark and brilliant;
eatures regular and delicately color
ess; manner vivacious and slightly i'm
'crious. A little spoiled and wiilful.
erhaps, but only delightfully."- SO.
Her gown was of black silk, with
ro1uslon of fine white lace about the
orsage, which relieved the somber eff
ecu and seemed to give peculiar bril-
ancy to her eyes, That faint exquisite
erfume like hot house roses, which he
ad notced when he read her note,
ing about her Like an intangible pres
ace. There was an Understandable
about her that gave pecul-
+ charm to her beauty; vet with all
rs y, softness and beauty one could not
vi 10 perceive that she possessed some
rong and decided points of character.
pride and force of will
ese TWO traits were plainly revealed
meath all the charm of a sweet and
acious exterior.
had North been very susceptible to
MINNIE attractions he might have
81 his heart to Mrs. Maynard at first
'ht, as others had so often done. But
'ertalh cold f1ippant cynicism which