The DeLamar nugget. [volume] (DeLamar, Idaho) 1891-1900, 1893-03-11

iieved in her with his whole heart, ant
had been trifed with-deceived. Their
was no danger that his heart would
ever be captured again.
Still Mrs. Maynard interested him
under the circumstances, and he there
fore subjected her to his unobtrusivt
but critical observation.
Their eyes met directly for an instant
after their first salutations, and during
that instant North fnncied that be
could perceive a swift and subtitle
change come over her. He could not
have defined the change any more than
he could have accounted for it. He. onlv
knew that a sudden little shadow fitted
over her face, sudden little chill came
into her manner, a curious mingling OF
surprise, annoyance and perplexity took
the place of the frank cordiality with
which she at first greeted him She
seemed to lose her self-possession for a
moment, and her first words, though
evidently intended to be light and care
less, were spoken with nervous rap
idity that quite betrayed her.
''How very kind in you, Mr.. North. to
be so punctuali" she exclaimed, as she
sank gracefully into low easy-chair
and waved him back to his seat. 81
really have not a moment this after
noon that | can call my own, but
thought | must see you if only to say
two words. The ladies' guild, of which
! am SO unfortunate as to be president.
is to meet with me for a special session
of closed doors, and already several of
the members have arrived, SO you see / |
shall have just five minutes to devote to
you-or rather, l shall detain you only !
for that time. You understand. of |
course, why [ sent for you?" with a |
swift, questioning glance at him, a
slight trace of anxiety in her manner.
North gravely assented and endeav-
ored to look wise
"Of course" he said to himself, with
his usual facility for quoting his own
conscience. ''she sent for me because
She wanted to see me. Isn't that clear
enough? Anyone might understand
thatl''
81 mean, added Mrs. Maynard, with
a curious effect of measuring her words {
with difficulty because OF her usual
habit of speaking impulsively and I'M T
yuardedly, you understand my-anx- t
ety?p
She hesitated again and seemed to be t
Waiting for him to speak. As he could i
10 nothing, however, but assent to her I
emarks with wise, non-committal air, !
he resumed with sudden vivacity:
Were you very much disappointed 4
asst evening, Mr.. North? I was so pro-
oked when Williams told me that you
ad called. What is that very impor- 9
ant communication that you wished to 2
lake? l assure you / have been in a !
erfect futter of curiosity ever since
Villains gave me your message" 4
Here was swift retribution, trulyi ;,
orth frantically regretted that mo- 4
ent of indecision that had been his un- !,
ping. Everything danced before his :.
yes for an instant as he dizzily sought
the recesses of his mind for some 9.
ausible means of extricating himself I,
ON this embarrassing dilemma. He n
I'd gone altogether too far now to think >,
retreating precipitatefy and acl1nowl-
ging the daring personation that he n,
ID attempted; there was positive u
no alternative but to face the situa- \,
IN coolly and make the best of it. n
"oh, really, Mrs. Maynard he said,
Eectlng great negligence, civilians "
lst have drawn upon his imagination n,
little, | think. To be sure, he may Il
We fancied that my errand was very On
esslng, but, in fact don't you know, NJ
IS nothing of Importance, after all l in
sorry to disappoint you, Mrs. May f.
rd, but, really, | gave Williams no a,
,cial message at ALL -,
OH Indeed Then he probably
understood" the lady rejoined, with %,
noughtful air; but North nervously