The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-01-05
mi. BEssIEs PROPOSAL.

After reading the book which he had
no business to read, Archie closed the
volume, fastened the clasp, and slip
ped it into his inside pocket. There WI $
a meditative look in his eyes as he
gazed over the blue lake.
81 can't return to her now"
Archie said to himself. perhaps
should not have read it. So she is not
a f1irt after all, but merely uses US poor
mortals as models. Archie sighed. 81
think that's better than being a f1irt
but I'm not quite sure. / sup
pose an author is justified in going to
great lengths to ensure the success of
so important thing as a book. 1t may
be that I can assist her with this ire
mendouS work of fiction. 1 will think
about it. But what am I to do about
this little diary? L must think about
that as well. l can't give it to her and
say 1 did not read it, for I am such a
poor hand at lying.
Good heavens! [ believe that is Bes-
sic coming alone along the river bank.
I'll wager she has missed the book and
knows pretty accurately where she lost
it. I'll place it where 1 found it and
hide"
The line of trees along the path made
it easy for Archie to carry out success
fully his hastily formed resolution He
felt like sneak, a feeling he thorough
ly merited, as he lodged behind the
trees and so worked his way to the
main road He saw Bessie march
straight for the bench. pick up the book
and walk back towards the hotel, with
out ever glancing around. and her de-
finite action convinced Archie that she
had no suspicion that anyone had seen
her book. This made the young man
feel easier In his mind, and he swung
along the Interlaken road towards
Thun, fattering himself that no harm
had been done. Nevertheless he had
resolved to revenge Miss Bessies in
nocent victims, and, as he walked he
turned plan after plan over in his
mind. Vengeance would be all the more
complete as the girl had no idea that
her literary methods were known to
anyone but herself
For the next week Archie was very at
tentive to Bessie, and it must be record
ed that the pretty young woman SEEM
ed to appreciate his devotion thorough
ly and to like it, One morning, beauti-
fully arrayed in walking costume. Bes-
sic stood on the terrace apparently
scanning the sky as if anxious about
the weather, but in reality looking out
for an escort, the gossips said to each
other as they sat under the awnings
busy at needle-work and Islander. for
of course no such thought was in the
young lady'S mind. She smiled sweet
ly when Archie happened to come out
of the billiard room, but then she al
ways greeted her friends in a kindly
manner.
Are you off for a walk this morn
ing?" asked Archie, in the innocent
tone of one who didn't know and really
desired the information.
sips, but they were not to be taken in
by any such transparent device. They
shifted with contempt, and said it was
brazen Of the two to pretend that they
were not meeting there by appoint
ment
yes" said Bessie with a saucy air
of defiance as if she did not care who
knew it. Il am going by the upper
road to the Kohleren Falls. Have you
ever seen them?'
mo Are they pretty?"
Pretty! They are grand, at least
the gorge is, although perhaps you
would not think either the gorge or the
falls worth visiting"
How can 1 tell until I have visited
them? Won't you be my guide there?"
Il shall be most happy to have YOU
come. only you must promise 10 speak
respectfully of both ravine and fall"
l was not the man who spoke dis
respectfully of the equator you know"
said Archie as they walked off together
amidst the scorn of the gossips who de-
clared they had never seen such bold
faced action in their lives AS their lives
already had been somewhat lengthy.
an idea RAY be formed of the henious-
ness of BeNsfes conduct.
1t took the two rather more than an