The DeLamar nugget. [volume] (DeLamar, Idaho) 1891-1900, 1893-04-08

There was pitiless mood beneath the
suavlty with which, on reaching Mrs.
Maynard's residence, he inquired for
that lady.
Williams, answering that Mrs. May
nard was at home and at leisure, took
Mr.. North's hat with an air of great
solicitude, leaving that gentleman to
make his own way to the drawinp-room
and enter unannounced.
Mrs. Maynard was quite alone there
Leaning back languidly in crimson
1auteuil, with the train of her white
cashmere morning dress sweeping in
soft graceful folds around her. she pre-
sented picture that struck North,s
artistic fancy at once. She was par
italy turned from him, as he entered:
and, as she rested her head thought
fully on one slender white hand the
clear, delicate profile of face and figure
In It's perfect repose reminded him of an
exquisite piece of statuary. He invol-
UNFAIRLY paused to contemplate her;
and, proof though he was against the
fatal spell of beauty, even he, the
cynical North, felt a singular thrill
which was all admiration, but which
might have been something else had
the soul of an unspoiled man been in it.
Suddenly recollecting himself, North
advanced toward Mrs. Maynard across
the rich, velvet carpet. The scarcely
reverie. Lifting her head quickly she
met Norths eyes; a slight change came
over her as she rose to receive him. She
stood for an instant
neither sef-possessed
Nor startled, but betwixt this mood and that,
Divided in a graceful quiet
A delicate flush, faint, sweet smile,
a doubtful, questioning, wondering |
perplexity; swiftly as ray of light or
passing thought these changes came
and went; and then, as if by inagic-so
quickly that North almost doubted
whether she had changed at ALA cold
stateliness came into her manner, a
touch of hauteur that made him feel as
if an impossible distance had suddenly
been put between them; as, acknowledge
ing his greeting with a gracious formal
ity, she said, in her low, flexible tones:
SIS It possible, Mr.. North? You
never came more opportunity. l am
suffering from ennui.''
''You, Mrs Maynard?" cried North,
in gallant anazement surely yon
should be exempt from that afiiction;
| thought it was the peculiar privilege
of commonplace lncrtals like nlsslf.n
Together with humility and all the
other graces of character?'' cuericd
Mrs. Maynard, as she motioned to him
to be seated and sank back languialy
INTO the crimson depths of her fauteuii.
Il always knew, Mr.. North, that the
after were your peculiar privilege and
possession"
is sarcasm an infallible antidotc for
1nnui?" inquired North, as he wheeled :
! chair forward slowly and seated him
elf near Mrs. Maynard, while his eyes :
leld hers steadily for full moment by :
heir direct, quizzical glance. ''If so. =
drs. Maynard, proceed. Your most :
ruel satires will sound in my ears like Z
weetest music"
Then shall have no inducement to =
tier them. You quite disarm me, Mr. :
iorth. Besides. some mysterious in h
litlon warns me that you have come y
lis morning for something of far r
reater Importance than a mere pas :,
lge at arms. What is it, Mr. North? =
'ord from New York at last? Ali I :
e that I am right! Tell me at once, h
ease, is the news favorable? Oh, it =
ust bel cannot endure the thought =,
disappointment
The delicate color that had flushed =;
to her cheek deepened now and her +
.rk eyes were sparkling with excite ~
emit as, clasping her hands daintily.
e looked up at North with bewitch- !,