The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-11-10


At last she said, in a low voice, almost
st2mmering:
4 did. 1 did call her. But she didn't
answer
Then Robert France suddenly drew him
self up.
MY God. Surely you don't think" He
paused a moment. then cried in a much
louder voice: MILES, What's become Of
that rascal Eben Miles? / never did think
much Of soldiers. but IL any harms come
10 my wife through him
Minnie cut him short with q denial so
shrill as 10 BE- almost a shrek.
mo, no, Eben wouldn't do her any
harm. Eben. On, no."
But Robert France had begun TO pace Up
and down the passage, his heavy tread
echoIng through the house.
Well, bless the girl, ] don't want 10
suspect any harm or the fellow, and what's
more, | don't suppose It's anything but
your fancy she called you. But you make
me- nervous with your shrieking and cry
ing out. and your starts and your Jumps"
He stopped short.
I'D go and look for her myself if it
wasn't for leaving the placer
mo, j Il GO" cried Minnie, leaping down
into the long passage with bound.
Where's Dinah?'
.Dinahs out. She's gone up the village
TO the mill"
"And JIM"
lies OUT with the wag0nPfle.
s'Ani Wilhams?''
Hes over the way somewhere. Why"
Il want some one to go with me- fall
tered Minnie
''wnl you let me go with you?" volun-
teered Ned.
Minnie hesitated. Robert was still pac-
ing up and down. regardless Of the fact
that two or three people were now waiting
in the bar to be served.
If I thought that soldier chap" he be-
gan.
The voice of Eben Miles interrupted him
this time.
HE is here himself to answer for him.
self, If you have anything TO ask him, Mr..
France said the sergeant from the door,
way.
France turned quickly.
Have you seen anything Of my wife?"
ne asked shortly, in voice which was
loud enough 70 attract the attention of all
the people in the bar, and Of a stray loiter-
er or two outside the house.
His tone was sufficiently aggressive TO
cause the sergeant to enter very quickly
and TO come right up to him before ne an
swered:
NO Mr.. France, have not seen anything
OF her since took leave of you both this
afternoon
Robert France turned up the lamp which
was hanging on a bracket on the VAIN
face.
And you can prove it, of course?" said
he
Eben Miles seemed taken aback.
Yes" he said at last, yes; L suppose
I could. Why?'
Between the two excited men little Min
ME pressed forward, and with gentle voice,
and earnest, persuasive eyes, brought her
calming influence to work upon the pas
sions of them both.
''Eben, it's only that we can't find her,
and we don't know where she's gone, and
l heard her call me over the fields on my
way from the farm
''Way-from the farm" stammered
Eben. Where the old folks are?"
why, yes, Of course. fathers farm"
The sergeant seemed disturbed.
II don't think she can have been any
where about there" said he, because"
He stopped-hesitated.
Because what?' put in Robert France
In his bullying voice.
The sergeant made no answer.
do you mean to say you've been about
there2 Speak out, man. can't you? No
body's accusing you Of anything"
Accusing me-" retorted the sergeant in
voice which brought up the loiterers, who
began to pour in from the bar and from
the steps outside the inn. ''I should think
not. There's no law to prevent a man 60
ing over the fields to see his old friends
nor to prevent him turning back again if
he changes his mind. I did think I'd like
TO see the old folks" and he turned to Min
ME: Your father and mother, Minnie;
and did go around by the chapel and over
Browns field with that intention. And
then I thought ii was rather late for
visit, and that To stay at Wards over the
way and go in the morning. SO I came
hack and dropped in here 10 tell you and
Harriet that / Was going down there to-
morrow"
Robert France himself took his explana-
ton in the same manly way in which il
was offered.
THANK You. Miles" said he you'll
excuse my being so short with You, as I'd
10 right to be II was this little girl here
put me on the 7dget Harriet'H turn up
right enough, and laugh at us for thinking
shescouldn't look after herself Maybe
she's gone on 10 her aunt's out Eastrv
way. That's what she did the last time
we had bit of a tiff: and II she has she
won't be home till tomorrow morning, and
we shall have to manage as best we can
without her. Come and have drink SER
gesnt and you sir" he continued turn
ing to Ned. who had been a silent spectator
of the scene. II hope you'll do Us the
pleasure of joining us"
"Bobs in rare good humor tonight" re-
marked one OF the habitues of the place in
an undertone to another when this invita-
ton had been given and accepted.
But Minnie looked as unhappy as ever,
and was in no way treasured by tho sup
positions which satisfied her brofher-in-
law and the rest. She was slipping out of
the house again with a determined air
when Eben came quickly after her
Where are you going, Minnie?'
ITO find Harriet, OF course. Need you
ask"
Let me go with YOU"
She hesitated. then shook her head de-
cdedly.
1T would make Bob angry. Better not.
I'm not afraid"
But you are going over the fields. It's
nor safe. so late"
''Well. I won't 70 alone. 7 promise YOU"
E5en was plainly rot satisfied, but he
let her go. She was her own mistress; he
could neither stop her ncr 90 with her
against her VII, He went slowly back -
the bar. where The host Of the Griffin was
chatting with Ned FOthergil.
= r. e.