The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1894-02-08

|
be here lit you who are the simpleton
Can't you see that our amiable hostess wants
a cover to her Irritation with Vernon Dacre?
This unsophisticated lass answers the pur-
pose admirably. The game is quite amusing
to the initiated
Miss Arden hushes angriIy. 1t is an omen
secret that she is in love with Dacre, and her
friends revelation hurts her even more than
it does me-
shrink away. my eyes filed with tears OF
wounded pride. Can what / have heard be
true? 80 Far Mrs Carson seems to have for
gotten me, and no one pays me the least at
tention Dare Atherton seems engrossed
with pretty Minnie Daily, and though he
looks toward me once in Il while, notices me
no further. feel very miserable, and hearth
~ wish myself at home.
Presently Mrs Carson brings Vernon Dacre
to me telling us to be agreeable to each
other, and become the best of friends. The
memory OF what have heard causes me To
treat him coldly, a fact of which he il evil
IDENTIFY oblivious, being too much occupied
IN watching Mrs Carson, as she fits from
tion TO such an embarrassing individual as
myself. However, he is forced by perverse
circumstances to remain by me through the
impromptu luncheon, after which Mrs. Car
son gayly summons him to her side
You will spare him to me for little
while, Lallah?" she asks, in her high LIGHT
voice; and rather bewildered at being sun.
posed to have any rights in the matter, com
poscdly assent.
moment later Dare Aatherton comes
over and drops quietly into the vacant sent
beside me-
You look bored, . he says kindly. Sup
pose we stroll down toward the water? The
salt dir will do you good"
rise hastily, conscious of wild desire to
escape from these people who evidently look
upon me with contempt.
They are going to explore the old tower" "
Dare says land as it is no novelty to either
OF us, we will wander down the beach,
forgot my aunt's Injunction, and thank
him for the delicate tact which has CON
strained him to make this offer.
until today, thought cruelty and cow
ardly rejoicing in the sufferings OF Others, be-
longed wholly to savages"
1.-The stream of life does not flow in the
sunshine always, Miss Gordon, " he answers
kindly, Perhaps, too, it is possible to i'm
agipe ones troubles"
AS you think have done?"
Wen, smiling rather quizzica)ly "you
could not have shown much greater grief
under any circumstances, you know"
us it nothing to be slighted-insulted-
made a cat's-paw of"
He shrugged his shoulders.
THAT depends, as our English neigbbors
say. These people are nothing to you-wbv
be hurt at conduct which they have already
forgotten"
Il know | was silly answer humbly
But am not accustomed to this sort Of
thing. You will let me thank you for COM
ing to my assistance, Mr.. Atherton?"
Indeed shall not, for l consulted only
my own pleasure in the matter. And nown
glancing at his watch, "as Won are mite
yourself again, and it is growing late, we
must go back to the Others"
But when we reached the ruined lighthouse
we find it deserted. There is no CLEAN os
light, no sound of voices no sign OF human
beings anywhere.
I'VE will cit down and wait, Dare Ather-
ton says calmly, but his dark eyebrows are
drawn together in an impatient frown
They cannot have forgotten us; they must
come for us soon," he adds reassuringly.
We sit on the old stone step and chat of
many things; somehow find it very easv to
talk to this kind, grave young man. But as
minutes swell into hours, and the Others do
not return, grow uneasy.
Come, Miss Gordon" Mr.. Atherton saws
at last there is no use in waiting longer.
They have deserted us. We must walk back
to town"
his lips are compressed, and there is a
look in bis eyes which bodies i'll for the per-
petrators of this indgnity.
walk back, Mr.. Atherton? Why, it is
full twelve milesl"
Il know, but there is no alternative. For
your sake we must return as speedily and
quietly as possible
AS his meaning flashes across nv mind
rise mechanically and follow him. can
think OF but one thing. What will Aunt Lol- |
lab say? How can excuse my conduct TO
her?
1t is long past midnight when We rpocb
nome Never has my aunt looked colder or |
more severe than when she meets MS in the
narrow hall, and s'e'nly demands from Dare
full explanation. of our ''disgraceful con.
duet"
Go to your room child and rest /" Dore
says in his calm way. 81 will explain every |
thing to your aunt"
men, turning, he opens the door and grave |
y precedes Aunt Lallah's Indignantly erect
figure into the parlor.
just what passes between them in that
nomentous interview was never revealed to
ne; but it very soon transpres that am To
become Dare Atherlon's wife
My heart throbs with a strange hapniness
when aunt tells me this, though offer some
'hght protestations. She silenced me in her
,eremtory fashion.
He owes you the PREPARATION, she saws
harpy. BE thankful that you have a pen-
leman to deal with and protect YOU from
he worlds tongue"
But, aunt, | would rather bear scorn all
ny lie than to be married from pity"
Don't be a fool, Lallah. Mr.. Atherton
robably knows what he is about. You are
ot Unlocking, and hecares nothing for fash
Enable beauties. There is no reason wby he
hould not love you II you have a grain of
ommon sense or tact-which rather doubt.
ldging by the past" .
| do not try to iustifv mvself Amt I al