Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1895-06-15


He had been writing a history, or
textbook of ferns-he was an enthu-
siastic botanist-and wanted it cop
led for press. The work of rewriting
the whole thing legibly was more
than he wished to undertake so he
had advertised tor an amanuensis.
After this had been explained to
me, Mr. Humphreys started up. Get
your hat, Mr. Wolcott, | want to
show you about.
All through the house and all over
the place he took me, and when he
got to the further extremity OF the
grounds he paused, and pointing to
a huge house beyond, said, Pm try
trying to buy that house, but my
daughter objects"
| asked him why she objected.
We'll, YOU see, it hasn't been oc-
cupied lately, and she says it's
gloomy, says its haunted and she
wouldn't like to live in it.
Miss Humphreys can't really be-
lieve that to be true, | answered.
II don't know whether she does or
not. She's away now, but she'll be
home tomorrow, and perhaps she'll
be more reasonable"
The next day Mabel arrived. She
met me politely, went through the
introduction gracefully, and acted
as if she had never seen me before,
There was not the slightest half
glance OF recognition; she evidently
intended to consider me a recent ac-
quaintance With curious neon
sistency could not help being lit
tie disappointed, while at the same
time | was much relieved | don't
know what | had expected-a start,
blush, Just the shy pleased look
of a girl towards an old friend
not yet forgotten; or was it haughti-
ness, hardly yelled anger, disgust?
Whatever had expected, | gotnoth-
ing mt all but pleasant, meaningless
words, great politeness, great civility.
] had nothing whatever to do with,
and could have no interest in, the
intimacy that formerly existed be-
tween Mabel Humphreys and James
Wolcott; he was one man, and |
was another. And so the days went
on, and she was always friendly with
her fathers copyist.
Towards the end of July, Ned Hum
phreys came home and brought Mr..
Butter-Scotch Steele with him. Mr..
Steel's baptismal name was William,
but he had been re-christened by his
friends Butter-Scotch, on account Of
his fondness for that particular kind
of sweets.
Ned was quite boy and capital
fellow at that, and he and | soon be-
came firm friends: but Butter-Scotch
| loathed. | really don't know why
| loathed him so much, unless it was
a rumor afoat that Mabel was MAX
ing up her mind to rpnounce a single
life, and henceforth stick to Butter
Scotch. of, course, this of itself was
enough to make me contemplateplac-
ing an extraordinary bent pin on his
chair, or converting his overcoat
pocket into a repository for a litter
of baby kittens. But independently
of this rumor, had a distinct and
positive impression that | loathed
the man just as he was, whether he
ever succeeded in marrying Mabel or
not. Ofcourse, it was none OF NV
business, but it did seem a pity to
stand by and see her become the
missing rib, thereby completing the
anatomy, of such molly-coddle.
One morning | was standing on
the porch when Mabel came out.
MIR. Wolcott,' she said, 'are Won
going to be busy for few minutes"
Il think not, | replied. .Mr.
Humphreys doesn't want to begin
for half an hour yet =
Over to the croquet ground we
strolled, and Mabel sat down on one
of the rustic seats. Without pre-
amble Of any kind she began:
Il know you have friendly feel
ing for US all, Mr.. WoIcott, and
want to ask your opinion and ad-
vice"
! bowed, for she was unauestion-
ably right about my friendly feeling,
but | wondered what was coming.
She went on: what do you think
Of Mr.. Steele?''
Well, that was q poserl What did
! think Of Butter-Scotch? That he
was fool, of course; but | reflected
il wouldn't do to tell her so, particu-
larry if she was going to-Oh, no!
it wouldn't do at all
"Why do you ask, Miss Hum
phreys?"
Il will tell you frankly. There is a
very strong inclination on papa's
part to buy yonder house,
Yes, | know there is.
"And ! don't want him to-"
May / ask why not?"
Because it's haunted"
Il don't see how that affects Mr..
Steele-he ism t haunted"
Mabel laughed. Il don't suppose
he u.s. But that isn't what mean.
want to know if he is courageous
enough to go there and see if it really
is haunted"
"Oh, dare say he's pretty brave:
he says he is, and Mr.. Humphreys
thinks so too, believe"
- pg mana ia On nn+I,,,a:...A.