Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1893-01-20
BETROTHED AT DAWN.


light OF dawn fell on the flowers OF
bis bedroom curtains
He opened the window and looked
out on the dim landscape still asleep.
The trees and fields of dull green
color melted away in the far and misty
morrison without exhibiting a sign Of
life or motion.
In the east glimmered a faint indi-
cation of pink light
Mr.. VHerble RENE mi ered his love
and his morning appointment In
five minutes he had dressed and de.
scended the stairs into garden.
where his big greyhound greeted him
with bark of delight accompanied
by frantic leaps of joy and pleasure.
BE quiet Tiger"'
Then. in vain trying to repress the
| animal he added:
Come along, them" 'es-'
The greyhound started off quick as
an arrow through half open door,
and his master smiled as he watched
him. He saw him bounding over the
vineyards by a path of which he
knew every inch. 1t was path they
took together every day and it led to
the last cottage of the little hamlet
to the house OF Mr. and Mrs. Slmons.
wealthy New Workers. and their
daughter Miss Ethel.
II wonder If she is awake yet, ."
thought Mr.. UHerble. Has she
not made bet with mep Can it real
ly be true that we are going together
to watch the sun rise from the top Of
the tower Of Alaspertp"
For the past three months he had
been flirting with Miss Ethel
1t began at Paris and had continued
here in the country. where he had
been clever enough TO induce the
Simonses to come and spend the
summer.
He had no fear but tina he would be
pleasing son-in-law to the old peo-
Pile He was rich. of good family and
| possessed many fine qualities.
The question was. viii she con-
sentP There was so much coquetry
in her playful ways; so much reserve,
| too in her sudden moods of cold sill.
ence that he hardly know what to
think.
81 Sometimes with her musical laugh
ter her arch and soft glances she
made him conscious of feeling of
nearness and familiarity that was as
suddenly dispelled by a frigid good
bye that instantly brought him back
to his position utterly disconnected.
Only yesterday, pointing to the
tower OF Alaspret which from a lofty
cliff commands view over the whole
country Of Caux for ten miles around,
she said to him:
lis it true. as the legend says thai
the girls OF the village follow the
custom OF climbing alone with the
men to whom they are engaged tc
see the sun rise from that towerp"
And he had answered.:
1T Is indeed superstition that be-
longs to this part. A betrothed
couple never fail to observe it They
believe that il the sun rises behind
clouds and is invisible the marriage
will be an unhappy one: but if i,
rises bright and unclouded it is 0
sign that their future is to be bright
and happy"
And with laughter in her voice she
had said:
oh! but then the sun must have
spoiled many marriage by not show
lug himself"
Such thing has been known, ;
he answered. though very rarely
In nine cases out OF ten the love o
the betrothed proceeds unchanged al
before. II the omen is unfAvorabl,
they are incredulous aud set it at de
iiance; and they only accept it i
favorable TO their love" ~sRa
Then Miss Ethel had said: IL
must be lovely sight to see the SUI
rise over the country. l should lik
to go up to the tower some day."
He looked into the depths OF he
lovely eyes.
lit will be splendid tomorrow
Miss Ethel"
DO you think So reallyP If So
shall 60"
'And-er-might be allowed t.
accompany youP" he stammered.
She looked him straight in the fac,
with proud glance that was indie
scribe.
You may do so il you wish"
he was now on his way to the ap
pointed meeting place! A peculia
rendezvous perhaps but not an,
more so than tho moments of solitud
which they had spent together OF
the water or on the veranda OF tn
cottage.
But at this moment a new impulse
OF hope made his heart beat. He ha
just seen Tiger before the railing O
the cottage. The dogs lean pod
was trembling with the Joy a do
shows when he hears friend ap
preaching. Almost at the same min
ute Miss Ethel made her appearance
She was irreproachably dressed He
golden hair fell in waving length
from under her little straw hat Sh
wore pink dress her tiny feet wer
cased in yellow leather shoes. he
hands in pretty brown gloves
Good morning" she said.
This was uttered In tone SO dr.
aud frigid that the gushing thank
Mr.. DHerble had prepared stuck il
his throat and refused to come out
In silence they both entered tn
little path that led through the wood
TO the tower.
, An odor OF damp earth rose from
the leaves and grasses All wa
wrapped in profound silence. Not
sound stirred the air There was a.
Impression Of loneliness and solitude
The strangeness OF the hour AM