Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-12-18
Christian VeIiina
A Thrilling Romance OF
Land and Sea.
BY ARRAH LEIGH.
CHAPTER XII,
THAT FATAL PROMISE.


The glittering landaulet moved slowl,
over the graveled road and drag ped Olos
TO her sad fate; for to. day this girl was
to give promise which was to be fata]
to her after happiness, and to Kenneth
Byrne's future welfare.
Idly she watched the blood-red fire
birds and golden orioles and bright rob-
ms fit through the trees above them. as
the cllnk OF the silver chains on the
horses startled their repose.
Beside her, clad in deep MOURNING
were her two sisters.
Mrs. Prichar was caressing her pug
dog, Belle was tearing some flowers in
shreds, while Olga sat with folded hands
staring, before her like ono in a sad
dream.
1t was the first time the sisters had
called on any one since their father q
death, two months previous, and Olga had
begged not to come here to- day, to visit
Mrs. BY rne, but her sisters had override
her objections, and, to escape their ex-
postulations, Olga had prepared herself
for the call.
Weary, tired of the sadow of q pain so
soon to surround her, she had come to
meet the terrible sorrow that would have
fsund her soon enough, for to-day COM
menced the tragedy Of her life.
Was 1t that she felt a premon ition of
Its horrors that her beautiful face was SO
sad-her dark eyes SO full of shadows.
as the carriage drew near the graystone
mansion2
scornful, and determined? Could it be
misfortune had already taught this Young
creature the worlds bitter lesson Of
misery?
Watching her, Bellies gray green eyes
grew red with envy; for Olga's fair coun-
tenance was unusually lovely to- day, with
just drift Of color in the smooth, round
cheeks, and ennobled with that exalted
expression.
4 wonder if Mrs. Byrne will be at
homer" languidly murmured Mrs. Prich-
arl.
She was tall, dark woman, with a
sallow, rather pretty face, and digni.
ned. pleasant manner. Since her fathers
death, she had returned to the home
stead to chaperone her sisters and take the
cares of the household.
A person very much en- crossed with her
study OF herself and her husband.
hope not, murmured Belle "She
Is most disagreeable old woman, and
tney say she is very uncharitable, for all
she pretends to be such Christa ain. 1
dislike her exceedingly. believe her to
be thoroughly bad hearted. They say
she was SO unkind to Kenneth she drove
him away"
yet you come to see ner and aatter
her. and beg her to return YOUR visits
and don't think yourself hypocrite
Belle, said Olga. with disdainful look.
Belle frowned.
Really, Olga, you are going to he n
most dlsagreeable young person, " she ex-
claimed. Only the other day Griffith
byrne remarked to me that he thought
you had changed SO much; that you were
70 vulgarly offensive about EXPRESSING
such conceited, vain manner. And an
Other gentleman-Lydia knows who-said
the same thing; and SO many have said
you were bold and affected, really think
it is time to warn you of the fault. or
course am interested in you, dear and.
as friend, tell you every one is taking
about your utter lack of refinement"
An extremely friendly act!" muttered
Olga.
Well, Olga, dear, you know you would
not be bad if you would only be a little
more particular. AS Mr.. Pricharl saws.
II you would not be quite SO self-pos-
be an attractive GIRL" said Mrs. Pricharl.
PLEASE inform Mr.. Pricharl that shall
never presume to attract such a man as
himself" haughtily responded Olga.
There you 60, Olga, angry just because
We try to correct you for your own good!
know yon are going to be wretched,
miserable old maid. whom everybody will
despise and ridicule because she is SO
peculiar end queer, said Belle.
Five of the incest and most attractive
ladies We know never married, Belle; aud
!our out of the five are renowned for
'nelr beauty and fine characters.
But you won't be, Olga. You are SO
queer at nineteen, you will be horrible at
'nirty-one of the females men call
and sneer at continually"
suppose that prediction is mark Of