Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1896-10-15

'ment between US, and she always took
me with her when she spent the season
1t Washington or among the mount
aims. or at the seaside. when | could
not have gone but for her affectioDate
kindness,
This summer Esther had declared
herself tired and sick of crowds and
balls and nattery. and proposed to go
TO Mrs. Thornby's in the country. Fred
had studied his profession in New York
and was going into partnership with
An eminent lawyer there. We had seen
him great deal. His mother lived in
a small house and possessed much
landed estate. and where she had often
urged US to visit her.
ANA this Is the way it happened
that We were at Thornby cottage yawn-
ing the day away, with an occasional
walk or ride or excursion. The glor-
tous Fourth had been celebated in the
village of Bellevile by a picnic in the
grove, sweetmeats. India crackers,
white muslin. and a famous swing.
that closed respectfully with a grand
ball In the evening at the town hall.
which had been adorned for the oc-
casion with wonderful embelish-
ment OF banners and flowers We
really enjoyed it, for that evening, at
least. had enjoyed the society of Web
ster Hamilton.
He was polished, educated and re
hned. and though he was somewhat
wanting in the fulsone flattery OF our
city courtiers he possessed dignity Of
mien and expression OF candid truth
thai made his attentions more pleasing
than all the hackneyed compliments of
a Saratoga ballroom. can acknowl-
edge now that was fairly caught and
captivated by his grace and manliness
that night, but | did not forget the
social bar between us, and so neglected
TO ask him to call. Fred chided me
for 1t, said / must learn country man
hers. and soon invited him to spend the
evening. l was needlessly frigid and
empo'ite; refused to sing or play, and
pleaded headache as an excuse for
refusing game Of backgammon But
Esther quite atoned for my GOODNESS by
her sparkling cordially. She made I'M
usual efforts to be winning and agree
able. while the young mechanic as
Sumed an air at once 50 easy and polite,
80 free from mauvaise homie, SO much
upon the footing Of equality, that it
was to me absolutely intolerable, and
4 retired before he left. He had called
fwice since, and was obviously in love
with Esther and Esther with him. 1t
was all well enough perhaps for a
summer filtration, but Esther never
Uirted. Would she marry him? The
pdea was preposterous! l made up my
mind to interest Fred in the matter,
and devise some way to save her from
such a fearful fate My first attempt
was unsuccessful
Next evening Esther and Hamilton
went to ride on horseback. The af-
Fair was really becoming serious. and
when l mentioned the subject to Fred
ne was more attentive
1T Is really too bad, Fred. for us to
suffer things to go on in this way with
out at least making an effort to break
the spell he has thrown around her.
of course. 1t is only a strange infat-
ination which she will shudder at when
she Is once free from his power"
"You may be right. EHie"-my name
% Eflle Morse-"how blind l have been.
p8ut what can we do? Esther will have
her own way. you know, especially IL
lhe thinks anyone wishes to oppose her,
What would you do? Women are SO
?Dhrewd in such Matters
Il don't know. I'm sure How would
little well-directed sarcasm dor
"Oh. have 1t now! Suppose you
Icut her out-make 1t appear as though
Hamilton was suddenly taken with you
f-hck!e- minded. you know. That would
pique her vanity so that she would
Treat him accordingly. She can't bear
neglect"
Nonsense. Fred. you know that
(conldnt be done, as long as Esther is
worth half million. and beautiful as
dream, and l am poor, plain and dis
agreeable, unless you could make him
1think l am the heiress-no. he Is no
such fellow. That wouldn't do"
] "Oh. OF course, l don't suppose you
could really turn Hamilton's affections
From Esther to you. but we could ma
heuver little to have you walk and
ride together. and though l would be
khe real general. we could make it ap-
pear to be his preference A few hints
from me to Esther upon his sudden
}change would make it all right. That
would be glorious. You keep quiet, and
4 will take charge Of Esther. You can
Afford to be agreeable TO the fellow for
= while: II he really falls in love with
you. no matter He deserves some pun
eshment for his presumption"
had some misgivings about trusting
myself within the influence Of his wi'es.
but as he was by no means a disagree
able companion, l finally consented for
Esthers sake.
( Fred and had several secret ses-
bions on the piazza and our tactics were
noon arranged. An excursion was
planned to visit Fort Knox. ten miles
distant, and Hamilton was invited. He
drove up his own horse and chaise-I
Wondered how he could afford tn hire