Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1894-04-28

I
One bright spring day, by one of
those accidents" which are wholly
design, he met AINS. Van Glider in Col
den Gate park. sunling herself against
a background of brilliant coloring, the
fairest thing in the great garden about
her. She glanced up from her book,
in surprise, but with pleased smile.
and Melton seated himself beside her.
The air was eNhilerating, the flowers
seemed never to have exhaled such
fragrance. They chatted with free
dom of feeling they had never known
in the Hetherington parlors, or over
the shining glass and silver of the
Hetherington dining room, where
walls had ears to every square inch of
space, and eyes were omnipresent.
He picked up Ben-Hur, which had
slipped unnoticed to the grass.
"You find great enjoyment in books
do You not?" he said, turning the
leaves to Tirzah'S love song. and read
ing the lines with charm of inter
probation that had held many pretty
listener spellbound. 1t was his gol-
den opportunity and he meant to inn
prove it,
Eyes" she said. answering his ques-
tion as he closed the volume. when
l am alone l read almost necessarily "
Alone, he repeated, tone of pro
tecting tenderness creeping into his
voice. Mrs. Van Glider Eleanor
if only We're blessed with the right
to be always near you. l would not
neglect you as your husband"
She turned toward him with a ges-
turc that stopped the words upon his
lips.
Il know what You would say" She
interrupted, her voice trembling, but
| have too much respect for my hus-
band to listen. If he finds his bust
ness more engrosSing than YOU find
yours, ne at least is not guilty of pre-
suming upon the friendship of a
woman enjoy your conversational
powers, Mr.. Melton, but your love
making is beneath my contempt"
She had risen and turned toward
the nearest of the park entrances. but
her companion caught her wrist and
held it while he poured fourth a tor
rent of words expressive of his infat-
uation. His hearer was far more an
noycd with herself than with the man
whom she had deemed worthy of more
honor. The appearance of party OF
strollers interrupted them and TO her
great relief she succeeded in boarding
a cable car home without her admir-
er's assistance.
That evening Mrs. Van Glider sur
prised her husband by suggesting that
they go to housekeeping.
A few weeks later Mr.. Van Glider
was called out Of town on business.
His wife, who was alone in the house.
was about to retire to her boudoi r,
when she vas startled by a slight
roise within.
The gas burned dimly in the pretty
perfumed apartment. but not too
family TO enable her to see the figure
Of man sitting al his ease in the
rocker near her dainty dressing table.
He rose and came toward her with a
triumphant and diabolical smile upon
his face. The figure of the intruder
was that of Howard Melton
sit down, my dear" ne said coolly
Il have argreat deal to say to YOU. j
you had not treated me with such dra
matte scorn month ago, you nigh,
I have spared yourself the inconveni.
/ cnce Of this unexpected call. 1t was
an easy matter getting here-a bolt
I Or two are mere bagatelles when a
7 man is ia love. | know your devoted
husband is out Of town; i've taken care
to keep myself informed about the
4 Van Gilders, you see. You are toe
sensible a woman to make any disturb
I ance, for. Of course, to betray my pres
/ ence in your bed chamber at this hour
IS TO blast your reputation forever
! You had better come over here and 81
( on my lap. my dear Eleanor. as Nv,
4 taken the precaution to lock the door
Mrs. Van Glider. who had sunk me
chanically to the cushions Of chair
rose suddenly. and before her visitor
could intercept her. had slipped hci
hand beneath the pillow Of the bee
and covered him with a neat little re-
volver. Her glance was as cool anC
daring as his own.
II am an excellent shot She said
calmly, and if you make the leas
move toward me | will prove what
say. If kill you the world will know
was done in self-defense. / woulO
advise you. Mr.. Melton, to leave IN,
house.
They stood for a full minute il
which no word was spoken. Then h,
turned the key in the lock, made hi
way along the hallway. down tn,
stairs and through the front door
Mrs. Van Glider followed him will
steady aim. When he had turned thu
corner of the street she locked tn,
door. pl accd the pistol under the pill
low, and tainted quietly away upol
the bed. She was brought back t.
consciousness by her husband, who's
arms encircled her with tenderness
Of which she had not thought hin
capable, and whose kisses were rainet