The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1894-04-19


tered the exclamation in natural sur
prise; and that strange glow of hers
that was never blush, but warmth
of her whole olive skin-came to the
face she turned toward the Hudson, as
the light in her eyes deepened and
burned.
Eyes, it is-a little-um-m-awk-
ward, the old gentleman replied, half
TO her and half to his own thought, add
ing genuinely: But the boys are al
ways welcome here and, after all, I'm
rather glad. Sister Tabitha Bonnie!
here's surprise for you. West Point
assignments are made, and Dale tele-
graphs he will be down on the next
boat"
Dale coming! Oh, I'm so glad!' Ben
ME cried as she turned from her flowers
and ran to the window.
"Mr. Latour will come with him, of
course" Edith added without turning
her head.
"Adrienr
Only the name escaped Bonnie; but
her color grew deeper and her bosom
rose and fell faster than her late scam
per warranted. 1t was Miss Fay who
/ showed most power of speech.
"Invite them! Why, Brother Stand
ish, you were the one to insist on the
wedding being absolutely privater'
"They invite themselves" Mr.. Stand
ish answered,
and perhaps know nothing of the
event." Miss Van der Huysen added.
dale is an old, old friend" Bonnie
said, gravely. Il am glad he is COM
ing"
But that reckless, obstinate young
Creole" her aunt rejoined. Il wish he'd
stay away. While we were in Europe
he even attempted to tease me! I'm
sure was very glad when his appoint
ment called him home"
"Pshaw, sister! Adrien was a boy
five years ago." Standish rejoined. "But
when took the girls to West Point last
summer he was the handsomest and
most popular of the cadets"
Bonnie had not moved from the win
dow, her head resting lightly against
the frame, and her eyes, too, seeking the
ripples on the distant river.
"Adrien at my wedding! How odd"
were the words she softly spoke, more to
herself than to others; but as she lifted
her eyes to the distant mountains their
haze seemed to reflect softness into her
face, vastly prettier than its usual sauci-
ness.
Miss Tabitha was herself again. Mount
ed ON .one of her favorite hobbies, she
cantered gayly over the historic fields
wherein the Everetts of many genera
ton had wrought their deeds of derring
do. She followed the family down from
the summit of Plymouth Rock, through
those days when stout arm and stouter
heart held foughten field, winding up
her eulogy with the highest praise OF
Dale. When u small break in her col
umn of talk permitted chance for insert
ing n point of the wedge, Mr.. Standish
retorted:
True, Tabitha, Dale is of good old
stock, but so is Adrien Latour.'
At the repetition of the name Bonnie
again started, a crimson flush dyeing
brow and cheek down the slim curve OF
the graceful throat Only for a second
then it faded out, leaving her paler than
before. But the quick flash of Miss
Van der Huysen's eye had caught it, as
she slowly faced the group once more
her own face placid and calm. And
quickly, also, Bennies more than nor
NAL sauclness returned; and she ratified
out, as though she must say something:
But they are coming, Tab, and the,
are welcome. Why can't they be grooms
men? Two are not many, dear, but thel
they are two more than you'll ever have
Edith shall stand with Dale, and Sophi
Lord with-Adrien." She paused be
fore speaking, but only for an instant
adding giddily: They'll both be de
lighted. We all love the buttons, eli
Tab? Come, confess; didn't you like tn
buttons, never so long ago.?
And without even u glance at any on
else Bonnie rushed to her father, threN
face close against her own. Then sh
ran out of the room with laugh tina
died suddenly as she reached the ha,
stairway.
81 can't quite make Bonnie out today,
Mr.. Standish said, staring toward tn
door the girl had slammed behind hel
NATURALLY she ought to be nervous
but
Nonsense, Brother Standish!" cut i
Miss Tabitha. "Who wouldn't be me-
vous six hours before marriage?
should. I'm surer
"And very naturally, too" adde
Edith, as she dropped gracefully into a
armchair and picked up the morning
Herald. 81 almost believe should |
nervous myself-thenw
"And that reminds me, my dear" re
piled Mr. Standish, "that-um-m-
less my memory fails Inc, one of thes
boys was very devoted to you last sun
mer."
Both" answered Edith, with littl
nod not looking up from her paper
"They could not have been nicer to III
had they been my younger brothers"
"Ah! you sly darling" Miss Fay e,