The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1894-05-03

Hearing Edith's step as she spoke
these words, Bonnie turned quietly and
the always open door. The
other girl paused as she entered, and
looked at her strangely.
why, Bonnie dear, what is the mat
ter? You seem really woebegone. These |
are not the looks for bride elect! You |
bring back wicked old John Stockings |
song:
Why so wan and pale young lover
Prithee why so pale?
Will, when looking well can't move her,
Looking ill prevails
Prithee why SO pale!
"Do not jest, Edith" Bonnie answered
gravely. st is no tritiing step | am
about to take. Can you wonder that
the responsibility weighs on me? 1t is
grave-awful!'
"But you never so looked at it before"
Miss Van der Huysen answered quietly.
"And you surely have had time to think
of all this"
81 was never SO near it then" Bonnie
answered gravely, but still calmly. ut
never seemed so real before"
Scarcely fattering to the groom to
be-" Edith retorted with a dry little
laugh. But then he will never know,
dear; so go on with your dressing like
good child. Before begin my own
war paint, can do anything"
Nothing! Oh, yes; you can give
Bonnie put her hand to her bosom,
touched tie note hidden there, and
stopped suddenly looking straight into
Miss Van der Huysen's quiet brown eyes
with trusting blue ones. Edith, be-
lieve you love memo, don't interrupt
me! | know you do. And | trust you
implicitly. | believe you can trust me
without word of explanation. Here!
When we are gone-not before, remem-
Der; but after we leave Rose villa to-
night-give this to Dale Everett Give
it when no one is by to see. Don't ask
me anything, please! 1t is simple
little note; only a word of farewell, and
little request"
Edith Van der Huysen's eyes darken-
ed, but the voice was sweetly low that
answered:
"Certainly, dear; Dale shall have it.
as you ask And why should l ask any
questions? But have you nothing tc
give-no word even-for Adrien?"
Nothing" Bonnie answered simply
Edith took the little envelope, bu
never moved her quiet, darkened eyes
from Bennie's face as the latter crossed
to the bell.
"I'll ring for Marie to dress me now
it is really late" she said listlessly, show
ing none Of that excitement presume
by the inexpert to belong to prepare
lions on the feminine side for the grea
, event of life.
"Can do nothing more?' Edith ask
ed, still lingering. "Then l, too, mus
go and prepare for the-sacritice!
The word fell slowly from her lip
f but, if meant for cue, Bonnie did NJ
f pick it up She only said gently;
l. Il did not call it that, dear. Now ks
r me and go dress"
Miss Van der Huysen kissed her frien
n on the cheek-one of those feminil
v kisses that may mean a whole world {
r affection yet would differ nothing
: outward show did it carry poison to tt
= lips of an announcement rival. Then 81
v crossed the hall to her own apartment
h holding the little letter in her hand. B
It as she went she turned it over nervou
ly, as though it were hot and burned h
IS fingers.
.. In her own room she, too, turned Il
v rarely used key, threw herself into
Is armchair and leaned back with hi
II closed eyes; but through the lash
10 cleaned the dark light of busy though
st Twice she raised tho little envelol
ir staring hard at it then, as if she h
ID settled her point, tossed it on the bed a,
IN went methodically about her toilet.
al Half undressed she paused abrupt
n and again took up the note, turning
ne over in her hands; the glory of |
k. splendid hair ripping far down
to cleaning satin of bare. sleeE should
10 and slim, rounded arms, model for
~, Venus, framing the rich face, throu
=, whose flushed olive burned eyes of tit
~, blackness.
~ dale Everett" she said in hard, |
,Io ter voice the world never heard. 'PC
,or child. she'd have me think tits he!
~, was never so near such n mistake befo
b. But, if she spoke truth to Dale, W
q should her last words be to him? l
10 now l know the charm of woven pa
no and of waving handsn What is
4 worth of knowing, thought
nc She stood erect, the light, soft drap
ng emphasizing her perfection of curve {
eli, dark feature. With eyes cleaning i
space she raised her hand in menac
hid gesture, defiant, uncanny, suggestive
in a Pythoness in pose and in regard.
ng she stood thus wheels ground the grf
G a on the drive below; carriage ROLLED
all the door and stopped. With 81
Id Edith came back to herself and to
v a present. She shot quick glance thro
EN- the blinds just as dignified, well
served man alighted and turned to as
on stylish girl and the venerable bisho
ME the diocese.
ers Ediths red lips parted in a stra
, to laugh as she turned once more to
hey toilet.
!, it "The Minotaur is ready" she :
"And the Sacrifice? Her last word
Tin. last thoughts for another. 'Tis
G. to be off with the old lover Bah!
she thinks to blind mel" Again the
orr laugh came, unmerry, threaten
mar "When Vivien had gained the oh
thus she cried, oh, foolr and all the f,
re- echoed, 'Foolr- And now to dress
ynei
sH. PART I-CHAPTER. VII.
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