Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1895-05-30

uLuselli WING du expression OF SCdrb-
led apprehension swept over his feat
ures.
Dolores nodded her head energeti-
cally, enjoying this unforeseen tri-
umph. Evidently her chance threat,
actuated by childish spite, had intimi-
dated her relative.
"They will mob you" she con-
tinued.
''Who?"
"oh, the good, kind people"
"Hushp'
"They will tear the garden all to
shreds and destroy everything"
The threat was her defiance of ex-
hausted patience, of overweight
emotions. The tragic woe. of the
pictured destruction of the Watch
Tower suited her mood.
Jacob Dealtry uttered an unsteady
laugh, and then his voice assumed a
whining infection.
You would not set the populace
against me, childP There are always
wretches that delight to hound and
worry poor old man. You shall re-
turn to the convent and become nun,
if you like We must speak of it
later" aat. .lt
Dolores made no response, but
sought her own chamber, supperless,
with nostril dilated and head thrown
back. t,.
She was aroused from her first slum-
bers by hearing her grandfather insert
key in the lock of her door and turn
it, thus making of her prisoner. He
feared she might run away to the
town and set the populace against
him, then She fell asleep once more,
with smile on her lips.
The following morning Jacob Deal
try was mild and ingratiating in man
ner Evidently his anger had spent
its force over night
Dolores was sulky and heavy-eyed.
At breakfast the old man insinuated
that she might return to the convent
if she wished to do so. The girl
pouted at his alacrity to get rid of her
companionship She beheld herself a
nun, with a flowing robe and veil,
investing the placid image with all
the fervor of a youthful Imagination.
The next moment fright seized her at
the thought of the prison bars of re-
straint imposed on her hayward
humors and impatient spirit by 6edi-
cation to the cloister.
Not yet grandpapa," she said, ap-
pealingly. Let us wait while be-
fore we decide. Besides" she added,
with soft feminine Representatives,.
"there would be no one to take care
of you in case of illness if left you"
"To take care of me?" repeated the
grandfather in shrill accents. "TutI
need no care or company. Suit your.
self, girl"
A warm color mounted to the tenn.
pies of Dolores, and sudden tears
dimmed her eyes Her glance
strayed to the garden, and then
rSaerted to the picture of the Knight
in the entrance hall of their dwelling.
''Do not leave usl" the pomegran-
ate and orange trees seemed to whis-
per, swaying in the light breeze.
"Do not leave us!' sighed the flow
ers, each unfolding bud of rose and
jessamine waiting their fragrance
to her senses.
Depart if you dare, foolish child"
said the Knight of Malta in the pict-
ure, threatening shape in the
shadow.
II am not sure that would like to
become religious recluse," the full
red lips of the girl murmured, half
ruefully.
Unconscious of these subtle inhu-
ences at work on the nature of his
granddaughter, Jacob Dealtry pointed
to the picture with the intent of dis
paraging its merits.
Rubbish! Mere rubbish as paint
ing, you understand" was his con-
temptuous comment.
81 like it." said the girl slowly.
"Give it to me and Twill hang it in my
room"
"Nonsense!" he retorted, regard
ing her with furtive uneasiness.
"What put that idea in your head?
Do not touch the picture again.
l forbid it Ha! Garry the Knight
away to your room, indeed"
"Grandpapa, do you believe that he
built our tower?"
Pooh! No."
Perhaps he did, you know. He
may be pleased to shelter us here, or
very angry with us for the intrusion.
1t is like that with ghosts who have
buried treasures, for example. 1
heard the Sister Scolastica once tell
ing"
Glow you run on, with your wom-
ans tongue" interrupted the old man,
peevishly. when said that the
picture was poor trash it was between
ourselves Some fool may take
fancy to it and pay good round sum
for an ancient portrait of Knight of
Hgsssl, artist and date unknown"
xho mobile features of Dolores &C
CURED a scornful expression, and she
replied with that mixture of audacity
and timidity which had ever charac-
terized her intercourse with her aged
relative: