The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1894-02-10
lab say2 How can excuse my conduct to

home Never has my aunt looked colder or
more severe than when she meets us in the
narrow hall, and sternly demands from Dare
a full explanation OF our "disgraceful con-
duet
go to your room child and rest !" Dare
says in his calm way 81 will explain every
thing to your aunt"
Then, turning, he opens the door and grave
ly precedes Aunt Lal'ahs indignantly erect
figure into the parlor.
just what passes between them in that
momentous interview was never revealed to
me; but it very soon transpres that am to
become Dare Atherton's wife.
My heart throbs with a strange happiness
when aunt tells me this, though offer some
slight protestatious She senc, me in her
peremtory fashion.
HE owes you the PREPARATION" she says
sharply BE thankful that you have a gen
tleman to deal with and protect you from
the worlds tongue"
But, aunt, would rather bear scorn all
my life than to be married from pity"
Don't be fool, Lallah. Mr.. Atherton
probably knows what he is about. You are
not il-look ng, and hecares nothing for fash
ionable beauties. There is no reason why he
should not love you ii you have a grain Of
common sense or tact-which rather doubt,
Judging by the past"
do not try to justify myself Aunt Lal-
lah could never have acted as | have done,
and has little sympathy for my plight. An
inteN lew with Mrs. Carson, who calls to
apolog re for her carelesness, makes her no
more lenient.
'If Lalah had been at home, where she be-
longed, this would never happened" is her
answer to that lady. "But she was set on
going, and | let her have her way. Once
there she should have stayed with the party,
no matter how rudely she was treated, in
stead of going off with astrange young man.
AS for your share in the ma ter | have moth
ing to say, MAJ am. Mr.. Atherton will prob
ably give you his opinion on the subject at
the earliest opportunity"
And Mrs. Carson departed in confusion
feeling that she had lost more than one
friend by her selfish thoughtlessness.
1t is a very wistful face which looks back
at me from my mirror during the few weeks
that intervene before my wedding day. 1t is
not pleasant thing to stand outside the
pale OF sympathy, and feel keenly my aunt s
displ. assure. But | utter no word of blame
or reproach. | am far too conscious Of my
folly for that.
Mr. Atherton comes to see me frequently,
but there seems to be a barrier between us
which neither can break down. 1t is evident
that he, too, keenly feels the false position.
We are married at nine oclockin the morn
ing, in church, and are driven at once to the
train. Only few OF Aunt Lallah's friends
and one or two of Dare's witness the cere-
mony
When | find myself established in private
compartment Of the car for the beginning o.
what is to be a rather lengthy tour, tel
myself
| "Now, at last, and almost for the first time
we are alone together and my husband'-
| say the words with a little thrill Of pride
tenderness-"will tell me his plans for oul
future; now we shall have glimpse into eacl
others heart"
But he simply sits by my side with fac,
which shows strange pallor and WEAKNESS
silent and abstracted, looking out at tn,
comfortable, and after that, | think he for
gets m! very presence.
eyes, it was a mistakes he should neve
have married me. What matter the wills
pers of Madam Grundy-'The hint malevo
lent, the look oblique?'--I could have livec
them down. This will last till death do u
part"
| make the admission to myself as 81
alone in our parlor, while the freight grow
brighter in the evening dusk.
"Only eight months ago, and it seems a
if years must have passed since became hi
bride He has been tender, kind and true
he does all he can TO makeme happy. hav
a beautiful home, costly iewels-there ar
plenty of rings on my hands now, everything
but the one good gift ask of Heaven, whic
is denied, and without which life to me i
empty and valueless."
hear the hall door click, and then Dare
firm, quick steps sound up the hall. / throl
myself back in my chair, brush aside til
tears, crush down the sobs, and force smil
to my lips.
He comes in from the wintry outside world
with his shapely hands extended to the lear
ing flames.
"Shall We have lights?" | ask.
~ will ring presently. Let us sit by tn
freight for a little time
1T has been drearY, cold day" | say
breaking the silence that always falls over u
when we are alone.