The record-union., 1897-09-05

in her eyes, and rung in her musical
laugh. She checked her impatient pony
and with frank cordiality, grasped. the
hand of Hum, who had sprung from the
carriage TO meet her Her real delight
at seeing him shone in her face. She
had not a trace of that affectation
which veneers the manners of young
ladies accustomed to the best soci-
ety. Therein, l thought, lies Ellen de
Forests chief charm
In due form l was presented and re-
ceived a bewitching smile from Ellen
and a stately bow from her father.
You were coming to call on us, hop
ing to find my shoulder out of joint
said 1 was all right yesterday, and
you were going to lecture me on the
sin Of fibbing. Yes; you We're. l know
you very well. indeed. Many a time" :"
turning to me, 'he has scolded me for
less things than that"
Indeed. Ellen, l am only too glad to
find you safe and Well able to ride
black Gypsy" said Hum, gravely The
poor fellow had. l was sure, suffered
tortures all night, thinking of her. After
more talk on both sides the De For
ests offered to turn about and receive
our call; "or, better STILL said Ellen,
come both of you, to tea tomorrow,
when l shall have time to prepare a
pretty meal with my own hands. To-
day father and l are off for a long
ride. We need the exercise to settle
our nerves, after that stupid upset OF
yesterday"
This invitation being accepted, and
the restless Gipsy plainly showing his
disapproval of further detention, Ell
len tossed him the rein, and called to
her father, Come on, dear; catch me,
if you cant"
The mad little pony sprang down the
avenue like a running hound, she sit
ting as easily upon him as if in her
rocking-chair. She flung a little laugh
and a wave of her whip behind her
The big gray followed in longer. clum
ser but scarcely less fleet strides, and
they were gone. Hum stepped slowly
into the carriage, and drove the horses
on a walk.
After some minutes of silence, "Well,
Frank" he said, "am L right? Is i:
because / have known her so long, and
have watched her sweet development,
that she seems to me such a rare and
beautiful woman? Or is she so in the
eyes of a Stranger"
She is hardly a woman yet" I ven-
tured to say. "a beautiful girl she
certainly is, and would be in the eyes
of any one"
But shesis woman in courage and
good sense; yes. and in real ability too.
Her father has learned to defer to her
Judgment. Kindness and simplicity
are often our best guides. She has
been through everything Frank, but
trouble has weighed lightly upon her,
because his great love has so protect
ed her. That man seems to most peo-
pie naughty and unapproachable.
dare say he is. But to her he is all
affection. He loves her, l fancy, as
the old Greeks used to love their Heras
and Athenas. And Ellen is a daugh-
ter IN every way worthy of his devo-
ton"
She seems to like you, Hum. If
she is such prize, why don't you go in
and win her? Would the old gentle
man object TO the transfer of his god
dess to another pedestal?'
Il may as we'll tell you, Frank" and
an uneasy look came over my friends
face as he said this; II have talked
with Charley mean Mr.. DeForest-
about such a thing and he bound me
by a promise to wait till she was out
of school, and had seen something of
the world. I did not think it fair my
self to take advantage of her great in
experience. We both want her hap
piness more than anything else in this
world. But it seems to me I ought to
know pretty soon what Ellen really
thinks of me- She has been acquaint-
ed with me long enough he added
rather tragically.
Did you say there was a story?"
Il am going to tell it to you If she
should-any way you may as we'll hear
tale of the Wild West Folks in
town think they are English aristocrats
and all that Charley has a sort of air
distingue about him, which serves to
keep people at a convenient distance
from him. He does not mix with them
much, naturally. Smoke a cigar,
Frank, and listen. Let the horses wan
der along this shady road. 1t is just
the setting for my story
We turned off from the main road
into a beautiful unfrequented driveway.
anu IAdlll ACldlSQ W IIle the lOl1OWl11S
history give it from my recollection.
as near his own words as possible:
You would not dream now that that
superb creature was the child of -
But that is beginning at the end. Let
me see. Must have been eighteen or
twenty year ago, when one day the
overland coach was going from Salt
Lake City to Virginia City. Ever been
in Virginia? No? It's a good enough
place now-but then, One hundred
miles south of Helena, a mining town,
in its beginning it was like all other
such places, terribly rough spot. The
scent of gold draws human vultures.
Those who call themselves men, armed
with knives and pistols, go staggering
about drinking, swearing cutting one
another, shooting just as the mood
takes them, and nobody's life is safe.
Liquor and gambling hells and dance
hall abound. After a time, law and
order begin to lift up their timid heads.
and the better men of the town assert
themselves. Then come churches and
ministers, but not till great deal OF
harm has been done. I have seen lots
of things, Frank, which encourage my
belief in a personal devil.
Before law can be properly applied.
and the roughs be brought to respect
its socalled majesty, there usually
springs up a Vigilance Committee. who
use summary but imperativ methods
of justice, that bring the villains to
| their senses, often in another world.
The Vigilantes of Montana have be-
come a bit of history. They were, at
least in the first place, honest. law