Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1894-01-10
ABREACH0F FAITH
Bv HJALMAR HJoRTH BoYEsEN.

1Ou nttuD Do dlThiQ VI JOlh dhWoOiA.
But she was afraid all the same, and
cast imploring chances at Gunnar, who
stood by, looking at the scene without
thought of interfering.
II wish you would let me go, Mr..
Lawson" begged the girl with flushed,
excited face. II do wish you'd let me
CO."
There was a petulant annoyance in her
voice which Lawson interpreted as mere
mock modesty, and even when the tears
started to her eyes he could not persuade
himself that she was in earnest.
why, do really believe we are cry
ing" ne said in surprise. well. well;
you won't even dance with me9''
II am engaged to dance the first dance
with Gunnar Matson," cried Ingerid, re-
sorting to bold fiction in her anxiety to
escape from the odious fellows arms.
Ghnnar, starting up as from dream
at the sound of his name, stood for an
instant irresolute, but as soon as he took
in the situation stepped forward and re-
leased the girl.
"You must excuse me, Mr.. Lawson
he said, without the least excitement,
"but since this is my dance you'll have
to be content with the next"
He had no desire at all to dance, but
Of course when girl appealed to him in
distress he could not consult his own in
clination Lawson, who was not at all
bad fellow, gave an awkward laugh,
and grabbed hold of the next girl in the
crowd, who proved to be less skittish.
The ice was now broken, and the other
lads, overcoming their bashfulness, start
ed forward with one accord and swung
dozen more girls out upon the floor.
Gunnar, when he had once begun to
move to the rhythm of the music, felt n
kind of intoxication in his blood, and he
danced with vehemence which must
have taxed his partners strength. There
was q battle raging within him. This
sweet. blonde, trustful girl whom he
held in his arms, who responded SO ra-
dainty to every glance he sent her-she
was his Morse past, and his Morse future,
too-small aims and endeavors, an idyllic
resignation and contentment in small
things-a narrow concentration of inter-
est upon food, clothes and petty econ.
omies, relieved by little theological
squabbling about the pure Lutheran
faith. Even though such life was all
for which he had right to aspire, would
it ever satisfy him2 The fashy grocer,
Lawson, appeared to Gunnar the very
incarnation of success, and his jaunty
bearing represented an unattainable
ideal Of manners. Why should not he
too enter the race, and though he might
not reach such an eminence rs that of
Lawson, why should he not content
himself with smaller measure of sue
cess?
The parson said he would imperil his
souls salvation. Well, his pure Luther
an could not be worth much if in order
to keep it undiluted he had to seclude
himself from all the rest of the world
and avoid contact with those who be-
lieved otherwise than he. He had hith-
erto accepted the parsons reasoning, or
rather he had never thought of doubt
ing its soundness. But now a new ques-
ton arose: Was it not his duty to start
out into the world and find his father, or
at all events ascertain whether he was
alive or dead?
All these thoughts kept whirling confus-
eddy in Gunnar's brain while he danced,
and when finally the music ceased he con-
Quoted his fair partner out into the yard
in order that the breeze might cool her
off. She noticed his seriousness, and
thinking he disapproved of the little fib
by which she had gotten rid of Lawson
she began to ponder little speech in
tended to put her misdemeanor in the
most favorable light.
"Ihope you are not angry with me"
she said. looking up into his face with
smile, intent upon modification.
"Oh, no, why should II" he answered
half absently.
"Because-because-I wanted to get
rid Of that city fellow" she faltered,
begging forgiveness with her large inno-
cent eyes.
"Oh, don't bother about that" he
calculated ungraciously.
~ can't help bothering about it, that
Is, unless you'll be nice and speak to me
a. you used to-"
Gunnar gave laugh, and looked
down at Ingerid's dimpled face with
amused tenderness.
"How did use to speak to your he
asked smiling.
"Oh, now you are making fun of me-"
she replied in sweet confusion; lit isn't
nice of you to make fun Of me, Gun
mar"
There were others evidently who were
Of the same opinion, though they had no
definite data to argue from. On the
woodpile in tho yard sat Thorsten Slet-
ten and five or six of his chums, all in
censed at the open favor Ingerid showed
Gunnar Matson, and determined on the
first occasion to bring down his conceit
peg or two. Gunnar was instructive
" aware Of their sentiments toward
him as he approached the woodpile, and
seized the first opportunity to turn
about, when he could do so with self re-
spect. But no sooner had he turned Ills
back to the company than q shower Of
chips, pieces of bark and other light
vv&;ocs1oo hit hin, obouf tho baad and