The true northerner., 1897-07-28
The OLD SILVER TRAIL.
BIZ MARY {. STlcKNEy.
rcoryright 1896. by J. B. Lipplncott Col
CHAPTER VII.-CoNTINUED.

which threatened to break into laugh
ter at her feminine simplicity. "And
am sure also that it would be very much
nicer" he agreed, his tone almost
caressing in its gentleness. Il only
wish we might settle it so easily; but
am afraid it would take more than my
eloquence to induce your father to see
the matter from my standpoint"
"But can you not see how very easily
he might be deceived?" she anXiously
urged. "He has not had the manage
ment of the mine himself; and if any
wrong has been done"
"You do not know how glad il makes
me that you are even willing to admit
the possibility of wrong having been
DONE" he said, as she hesitated-'to
have you of your own accord giving me
the benefit of a doubt, Miss Meredith.
You cannot guess how sweet it is to me
tc feel that you are little bit my
friend in the case. Whether l lose or
win, shall always like to remember 1t.
"But you will not listen to any talk
OF compromise" she tentatively re-
Joined, with disappointed air.
Il IL
to listen if your father will consent to
such a conference. You must further
pardon me, however, if ! say that am
not very sanguine as to the results;
though Heaven knows how gladly l
would tie TO any hope that-well, that
would make us friends"
She did not answer anything to this;
and after moment he went to fetch
back his horse, that had wandered too
far, feeding by the roadside. He
changed the subject as he came back.
"And how is your wrist, Miss Mere
dithP" he asked. 1T has been on my
mind for several minutes that l should
like to know"
almost perfectly well, thanks. And
that reminds me-I told you that
r~anted 10 apologize"
/Y4"And I told you that I could not pos
sibly imagine why" smiling broadly at
the idea.
about your handkerchief, you know.
I ought TO have returned IL to you be-
fore this. but the fact is, 1 did not quite
know how to manage it," looking up at
him with a little, embarrassed laugh,
her glance shyly falling to her flowers
as she went on. "You see, did not cX-
plain to papa about meeting you the
other day. II think it is a great
nuisance explaining things"
$50 it is" he cordially agreed. "And
I'm awfully glad you did not bother"
"But / have been so worried about
that handkerchief" she laughingly de-
clared. "If / ventured to put It in the
post Office, knew that the postmaster
would be discussing with everybody
how it might happen that |, Col. Mere
dith's daughter, should be sending
parcel to you; while if 1 sent the boy
who does chores at the hotel to take it
to you-well, you know the landlady's
peculiarities, perhaps. She would be
bound TO ferret out the mystery or die
in the attempt. If only l could have
had a premonition that was to meet
you to-day, so that l might have brought
il with mel"
could you not have a premonition
that you would meet me some other
day-to-morrow, perhaps?" he daring
ly suggested.
TO Aou by mail from Denver; but that
would involve some delay" she re-
turned. looking up at him uncertainty.
''But would il not be much less trouble
simply to give it to me here?" he urged,
ingenuously.
"You would have the trouble Of COM
ing after it," she protested, doubtfully.
He regarded her i2quiringly for an
instant, breaking into a laugh as he saw
that she was quite in earnest. you ara
SO consideratei" he exclaimed; "but
should not mind coming in the least,
and in fact. shall be going over to
Tomtown tomorrow anyway. If You
could be walking here at about half
past mine in the morning-would that
be - early for you?"
She rose with q slight accession Of
dignity, an embarrassed flush rising to
her face. Excuse me; / did not say
that I would come here TO meet you at
all. / could not, don't you see? IL
would lool-well, IL would look odd,
to say the least"
"Are you referring to the impression
il might have upon me, may l ask?'
Certainly not; you would under
stand the circumstances; but other peo-
pie"
"And has Mrs. Grundy, perchance, n
country seat in this neck of woods?--I
should never have supposed it." his
glance ranging the rugged heights with
masculine contempt for such argu-
mex~ However, IL must be just as
ycu say. Miss Meredith. And perhaps
i should ask if you mind my leading my
horse along beside you here?" They
had been lettering down the road with
the last words.
"Oh. no: only" her glance straying
uncertainty to the turr ahead, beyond