The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1895-12-28


has interested you l am grateful to it
SO far -
So resolved to put the ring and its
history out of my mind and to occupy
myself only with tho new interest that
had dawned upon my life. The next
few days went by SO happily. and it
seemed SO natural to me that Lionel
Haughton should be always by my side
that did not stay to ask myself the
reason for our close companionship,
yet think within my heart Of hearts /
knew. And each day and hour spent
with him was bringing Us nearer to-
gether and binding us with ties that
would not easily be broken.
"Haughton is very much improved,
said my father one day, ''since knew
him many years ago. His brother was
my great friend, and l did not see
much of this one. He seems to have
spent good deal of his life in India,
and fancy it has affected his health.
suppose he won't return there. must
persuade him to come and pay us visit
when we 60 home, ELI, Theo?"
One evening when our stay was draw
ing to a close we proposed to go to the
casino, where | wished to try my luck
at gambling II am always lucky il
things go by chance" said, land !
have neglected my opportunity here
sadly. Lot us go and gamble tonight.
and will win fortunes for all of us. "
Colonel Haughton did not, however,
join us as usual at table d'hote that
evening, and note handed to me after
ward from him told me that he had
been feeling i'll, but was now better and
would meet us later at the CASING. 1t
was the first timo''I had ever played,
and before long it became apparent that
my prophecy about my luck was being
fulfilled. | won and won and won
again till heap Of gold and notes was
in front of me, and was the center Of
all eyes at the table. played reckless
ly. and yet | could not lose-till sudden
ly my attention was distracted by the
arrival of Colonel Haughton, who leaned
over my shoulder and placed his stake
next to mine. AS he did so the ring
seemed to emit a faint sparkle, and
felt as if my careless good fortune had
deserted me. l wanted to win now,
whereas before | had played for the ex-
element only with the true gambler
spirit. And yet from that moment
lost. He also lost heavily-so heavily
that wondered if he were rich enough
to take it as philosophically as he ap
poared to. Nevertheless so large a sun
had / won at first that, though much
diminished, it was still a small fortune
that l gathered up when we left the ia
bles
"You brought me bad luck, " sale
to Colonel Haughton as we walked bacl
to the hotel. ''Do you know, l think il
was your ring"
81 would never wear it again IL
thought that. " he answered. Then, a
we reached the garden and my father
passed on to the salon, "Theo," he con
tinued, stay a moment. | have some
thing to tell you. My darling, l low,
you. love you more than life Will
you try to care for me little in return
want you for my wife. l worship
you'll
All, Lionel, beloved, it scarcely need
ed the assurance of your love for me t.
bring me the certainty of mine for you
If ever the gates of heaven open to NOR
tai eyes, they stood ajar for us tina
night. The starlit garden was changes
into a veritable Eden, and we walke'
with wondering joy therein and recke
not of an angel with flaming sword
who waited silently to drive us iron
our paradise into outer darkness.
1t was scarcely noon the following
day when we began the ascent of tn
Dent du Chat, one of the mountain
peaks that tower above AK.
II feel as if had wings and mus
soar into a higher atmosphere" ha
said gayly, land since we cannot fl
let us climb. | want to reach the to
of that mountain with you and leav
the world behind us. Let us CO."
Wewere to ride up certain distanc
and then dismount and gain the highes
point ON foot. Three guides accompanie
us, following leisurely, talking and ges
ticulating to each other and paying Iii
tie heed to us, save an occasional franti
rush at the mules when we approache
an awkward corner of the zigzag path
way, which had the effect of adding
momentary uncertainty and danger {
our otherwise tranquil ascent We wer
not sorry when, after two or three hour
Of this progress, the guides told us W
must halt. and that they would renal
in charge of the mules till we returned {
them. 1t was rather toilsome clint
and the sun was beating fiercely dow
upon us, but we felt rewarded, when
not far from the top, we reached n pls
teau where we could rest, while q COG
breeze from the distant snowy peaks II
vived us !.
Here is an armchair all ready &c
you," Lionel said, leading me to wher
soft couch of messy turf lay beneat
the shadow of an upright, projectin
piece of rock. A yard or twofarther o
the PERCEPTIONS sideof the mountain d.
scended, sheer and impossible down a
most to its foot, terminating in dar
and narrow gorge between two ridges
Away On the left far below us nestle
AK, and by its side the Lac clu Bou
get. with its island monastery SURROUND
ed by water as blue as Geneva's own.
How lovely it isl' l exclaimed. .
! never knew before how beautiful Ii,
could ho -