Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1894-02-28


agreed. Good morning"
The next Tuesday evening found
Cecil in Bessies fashionable home. He
had exactly poised his mind, but the
first sight of her unbalanced it in her
favor. She was rarely beautiful, and
her welcome rang with genuine hos
pitality. 1t seemed impossible to criti-
else her; good, true heart must be
the center of such physical lowell
ness, but doubt whispered, "Wait and
watch"
OF guests, there were seven ladies and
eight gentlemen. Bessie had, therefore,
to choose her first partner, and Cecil
watched eagerly to see which this would
be. 1t was Alfred Donaldson Hughes,
who had lately won literary fame. Bessie
smiled brilliantly upon him as they took
seats at the ace table.
s'She's flirting with that fellow" NUT
tered Cecil, as the bell rang for play.
When it rang again for changing
tables he was obliged to remain at the
jack table, because in watching he had
blundered stupidity. Bessie and the au-
thor won the game, and though they
were not partners in the next the merri-
ment between them continued and he
saw her dart a perfect coquettes smile
at him as at the next he went down to
the king.
Tom Plotton was her next partner,
but her sparkle was gone. She scarcely
spoke.
"Humph," muttered Cecil, "quite a
descent from literature to flour. Plotton
and | will surely agree, for he is un-
doubtedly getting the cold shoulder"
Yet, despite himself, doubts would
break into the adverse decision. "Per-
haps sheis true, after all; her spirits may
be her way of entertainment. may be
making a fearful mistake"
Finally good luck advanced him and
ne became her partner for a game. She
was all life again; exactly as she had
been to the author. He believed he de-
tected her wish to draw him on to low
ing her, and, though fattered, the old
doubt grew stronger. The duties of
hostess did not necessitate such action
she had tried to draw the author on she
was trying him now. The only result
would be that she would reject them
both in ridicule.
Music and promenading through the
spacious house followed cards. Cecil
fastened to engage Bessie as a COM
panion. The author forestalled him.
He walked angrily into the conservatory
and stopped before palm, ostensibly
examining it, but in reality analyzing
his state of mind. Was he jealous? If
so, he really loved Bessie, but could he
ask her to be his when all he had seen
confirmed her coquetryp
Bessie and Hughes came near and
stopped before a large plant, but with
their backs toward Cecil, who was well
screened from them.
"Miss Fallington," said the author in
the unmistakable voice of devotion, "do
you like literature?"
81 love it," she replied. "Let me tell
you little secret that you must never
reveal. | have lately had quite a num-
ber of poems ublished-anonymou
of course"
adorable, he cried, enthusiastically
"You must show them to me.'
"By no means. You would criticise
the poor little attempts"
''Not for worlds. They could not
help being full of fire and genius. But
would you not like to devote your life,
yourself, to literature?'
"Oh! Mr.. Hughes, my humble talents
wouldn't last fortnight"
II don't mean in that way; though
your talent would. l mean would you
not like to live always in literary at
mosphere-in fact, Miss Fallington, as
the wife of an author"
"Pardon me, Mr.. Hughes" she ex-
claimed, 'Tbut do believe this rare plant
is dying. l must tell father at once"
"Don't turn me aside," pleaded the
author, trying to catch her hand. 81
love you to-
"Hush, hush, Mr.. Hughes" she whis-
pered. "Here comes some one."
The some one was Tom Plotton, and
he was coming direct for them.
"Mr. Hughes" he said, "they are ask
ing for you in the parlor. They're dis
cussing the authorship of late anony-
nous poem. They want you to help
them out.
Every WELL" replied Hughes gallant
ly, "and | think can make good de-
cision on the latest and directest infor-
nation"
"Don't you dare" exclaimed Bessie,
with light laugh, the meaning of
which came in words as soon as the au-
thor was out of hearing.
"Oh! I'm 80 glad you came, for, don't
you think, he was just declaring his love
for me-"
Both broke into hearty laugh. Con-
viction struck Cecil. If this wasn't an
evidence of heartless coquetry what
could be? He sincerely thanked his
good fortune that his doubts had kept
him from declaring his own love sew
eral months before in similar place.
"And | have no doubt he heard
Plotton say, 'that if were now to
say that love you you'd thank some
one for interrupting, and laugh as
hoc oil H.