Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1895-04-24

HlltE tutSblO1 dDbut iioi'hh6 . Ooss'EO
and displayed such an intimate knowl-
edge of its arrangements that it was
clear to me the subject had been often
discussed between them. What could
this mean but that the house was fur
nished for her as Holding wife? Mead
ows smiled plaoedly and looked on
with an air of approval that well nigh
maddened me. turned cold and sick,
but though | never spoke and hardly
touched morsel on my plate they paid
no heed, but continued to laugh and joke
over their own affairs. At last / could
stand it no longer, and rising from the
table abruptly said it was time to go
home. Then for the first time Lizzie
seemed to perceive my agitation. for
she blushed and looked confused.
Are you going out tomorrow,
George?" Meadows asked as | babe him
good night.
"Of COURSE" said briefly why
not!'
81 don't like the look of the wealth
err, he explained. II was just going
to say so when Ben came up this even
ing am not one to counsel any man
to stay at home when there's work to be
done, but industry is one thing and
rashness Is another. It's blowing up
for gale, take my word for it, lads
There'll be mischief tomorrow, / warn
you.
"What them" l rejoined sullenly.
"'Twon't be the first gale I've been
out in, nor the last, maybe. And II it is
nobody will care "
mo man has right to throw his life
away" urged the old man solemnly.
whats come to you, George? That's
not like you. hope you will take my
advice, Ben, anyway, for the Mermaid
is not seaworthy. You'll rue the day
you bought her, if you don't look out. "
"We'll see it how 1t is in the morn
ing" Ben said hopefully.
"Anyhow, you can't say nobody
cares, heard Lizzie whisper. And
then she went on, half to herself, "And
George has no right to say such things "
went out. and to my surprise Hold
ing followed me. hurried on, think
ing to avoid him, but he soon caught
me up. The sky was cloudy and dark,
and on one side was an irregular streak of
grayish yellow light where the moon
was struggling to break through saw
no cause for old Luke's warning, nor
did Holding, it appeared, for he began:
| "What can Meadows mean, Powell? 1t
is dirty night, no doubt, but twill
clear before morning l should think.
What say you?'
~ think So too, l answered be-
tween my set teeth.
but he is not one to croak, and he
is very rarely out in his predictions, p"
Ben continued. would it not be wiser
to stay on shore?'
"Do so. by all means, if you are
afraid" replied, with sheer. "You
are your own master. ~
The taunt stung him, could see,
dark as it was, but he kept his temper
and only said: II don't deserve that,
George and no one knows it better than
you do. What ails you tonight?'
" 'Taint your business. -
Are you in trouble? Can do any
thing?"
"You can hold your tongue. I"
"What will Lizzie say?"
"She'll care as little as you or any
one else. How dare you talk of Lizzie
to me? Go your own way and let me go
mine.
"Nay, Powell, listen," he began,
but would not stay to hear. l broke
away from him and ran down narrow
lane that led to my lodging. l was boil
ing over with wrath, and his GOODNESS
irritated me past all bearing. What
right had he to bring in Lizzie's name?
content him. And how Meadows had
deceived me! He knew, no man better,
what took me to his cottage, and yet he
encouraged Ben's suit on the SLY. felt
as if could have throttled him.
In such frame Of mind it was not
likely l should sleep, and as fact l
spent the night in walking up and down
my little room revolving in my mind
one plan of revenge after another. Hold
ing and Lizzie should never come to-
gether if by fair means or foul | could
prevent it Who would have thought,
reflected bitterly, that Meadows was
so mercenary? Because Ben had boat
Of his own and two men in his pay,
while | worked with Tom Ford at
weekly wage, he was ready to throw
me over. l felt glad l had tainted
Holding with being coward. Now he
would go out in the morning, what
ever the weather, and who could say
what might not happen? His boat, the
Mermaid, was, every one knew. rot
ten tub. In his anxiety to rise above
his fellows he lad bought her without
consulting any one and had been griev
ously cheated in the bargain. Lizzie's
sweet eyes seemed to plead for him.
They haunted me, turn where would,
but would not let them influence me
If her lover persisted in the waves. she
deserved all the pain it would give her,
the little fiirt. But, however matters
turned ont. no one could impute the
blame to me.