Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1894-08-01


portion of her dominions, where, in re-
turn for a salary exceeding his widest
dreams, he was to perform duties as to
which he still felt vague. But they
probably included the dispensation of
substantial justice with lavish hand to
sundry swarthy fellow subjects, and the
instruction of the male portion of them
in the use of obsolete weapons and the
evolutions of an improved drill.
The climate-well, every rose has its
thorn, and Government House and his
society would reconcile Geraldine Oak
ley to bursting thermometer and diet
of quinine She could have her sister to
stay with her if she felt lonely. He was
I quite fond of Maud, though of course
she did not care for him. Did she not al
ways retire when he came to tea and
leave him alone with her elder sister, and
tlways refuse to give him more than
four dances in one evening? But Ger
aldine was different. DR.. Coverdale
would do very well for Maud when
Geraldine was gone. There she was
Maud, not Notwithstanding on the
top step waiting for him as he almost
ran up the garden walk.
"How do you dor" she said shyly as
she ushered him into the drawing room.
81 will go and tell Geraldine you are
here"
He was delighted. Could anything
have been more thoughtful2 But, oddly
enough, she did not go. She sat down,
ON the contrary, and began lingering a
"chair back" nervously.
SIT is fine day." she said, and then
stopped.
"Hang it'll" he thought. 81 meant to
tell Geraldine the news first, but there's
no harm in beginning with her,"
So he began, pulling out his official
letter to show her.
81 have come, Miss Oakley, to tell
you some news and ask you to congrat-
ulate me-"
"Whatp' she exclaimed, "are you
engaged to be MARI
"Oh, nor he answered, "not exactly
that is, not yet-in fact I mean not
exactly"
And he got very red, and so, curiously
enough, did she. She looked very pretty
blushing, and with her lower lip CULVER
ing little. Geraldine was not so pretty
as Maud, he admitted to himself as he
looked at her; but 80 much the better.
Geraldine would be all the less likely to
flirt, if, that is, there was any one at
Government House to fiirt with
NO" he said; "it's the appointment l
told you Tor was it your sisterD my uncle
was trying to get for me-the very thing
l have been wanting"
And he proceeded to paint the charms
of the new career opening before him in
glowing colors. He said nothing about
the quinine. When he came to an end
of all the details she was sitting, with
an expression of deep interest. looking
at him, and he felt that had she only
been Geraldine the very moment would
have arrived-that precise opportunity,
not always easy to obtain, particularly
in small villa. Sand So" he said,
feeling he must bring his tale to con-
clusion and give her an excuse for going
to fetch her sister-'and so, Miss Oak
ley, leave Bunborough very soon, and
have come to say goodby."
oOOo- SOOu-DOOuOOg
She did not hit the precise note which
had startled Miss Grayson's visitor, but
the effect on him was even more electri-
flying.
"My Godp he murmured.
"Boo-hoo, boo-hoo-ol" And she
buried her head in the sofa cushions.
For minute he said nothing; his first
N orti or1 70 nd, fxrf 70 L
lips before her storm of grief, SO he bit
his mustache in silence. Then the front
door slammed. Miss Geraldine Oakley
was going out for a walk, totally un-
aware of his arrival. Could he stop
her? He could hardly open the window
and shout. He moved toward the draw
ing room door, but he had to pass the
sofa, and as he did SO the girl on it rose,
as if she, too, half dazed, was seeking a
way of escape, and as their hands met
on the door handle she sank sobbing
into his arms.
Don't, don'tr she whispered, hardly
calculating, but he was doing nothing
from which he could desist, for he
could scarcely let her drop on the floor.
GOOD Godv' said Captain Jumpison
again; twill no one Gomez? But the
house was still, and he reflected that
perhaps it was as well that no one
should come in at that precise Juncture
at all events, not without warming
and so there was another pause, broken
only by her sobs He could see her SIS
ter through the muslin blinds; she was
looking over the garden gate talking to
some one. Would she change her mind
and bring whoever it was in to tea? If
she did Maud would surely hear them
entering the house and retreat. But
Geraldine stood talking at the gate.
Only the rector wore high hat at Bun
borough-by-the-Sea and DR.. Coverdale.
"Clickv' went the garden gate as Ger
aldine passed into the sunny roadway.
'Boohoov 1t was very gentle one
this time from somewhere near his
watch pocket.
"Click!" went the garden gate as it
IL L.