The Irish standard., 1897-04-03
though Heayon knows ,o Il b iIl q
would tie to any hope that IL
would make us friends = .i9 S ssa s sss

. though Heaycn knows how q j
would tie to any hope that
would make us friends" sSssssSSss
She did not answer any thing to
and after Q moment he went to 6et
back his horse, that had wandered tooss
far, feeding by the roadside. HSs'
changed the subject as he came ba0ll.s
''And how is your wrist, Miss Mers
dith7" he asked. "It has been on my
mind for several minutes that I should,
like to know" sssSS
almost perfectly well, thanks Ard
that reminds mel told you that
wanted to apologize" sS1i5
"And I told you that could not pog1
sibly imagine why" smiling broadly at
the idea. e
'About your handkerchief, you know
I ought to have returned 1t to you bo4S
fore this, but the fact is, I did not quite
know how to manage it," looking up az
him with little, embarrassed laugh,
her glance shyly falling to her flowers.
as she went on. "You see, I did not ex-
plain to papa about meeting you tbs.
other day. IL think it is great.
nuisance explaining things" ri
$50 1t u.s." he cordially agreed. "And
I'm awfully glad you did not bother" 3
"But I have been SO worried about
that handkerchief" she laughingly de-
clared. IF ventured to put 1t in the
post office, knew that the postmaster
would be discussing with everybody
how it might happen that I, Col. Mere.
dith's daughter, should be sending
parcel to you; while If sent the boy
who does chores at the hotel to take IL
to you--weIl, you know the landlady'a
pecuJiarities, perhaps. She would be
bound to ferret out the mystery or die
in The attempt. If only could have
had q premonition that I was to meet
you to-day, so that might have brought
it with mel" -
could you not have premonition
that you would meet me some otheH
day---to-morrow. perhaps?" he daring.
ly suggested. ~
az had thought that might send Il
to you by mail from Denver; but that
would involve some delay" she rS1
turned, looking up at him uncertainty
"But would 1t not be much less trouble
simply to give it to me here?" he urged
ingennously.
"You would have the trouble Of co1ni
ing after it, she protested, doubtfully.
lie regarded her inquiiingly for a1r
instant, breaking into Il laugh as he saw
that she was quite in earnest. "You are
SO considerate!" he exclaimed, "but 4
should not mind coming in the leastt
and in fact, I shall be going over to
To1ntown tomorrow anyway. If you
could he walking here at about half
past nine in the n1orning%-would that
be too early for your"
She rose with a slight accession Of
dignity, an embarrassed fl usl, rising to
her face. excuse me; l did not say
that would come here to meet you at
all. could not, don't you see9 1t
would Rockwell, it would look odd.
to say the least"
care you referring to the impression
1t might have upon me, may ask"
'Certainly not; you would under.
stand the circumstances; but other peo-
pie" . 81
"And has Mrs. Gru1ldy, perchauce, a
country seat in this neck OF woods? --I
should never have supposed it," his
glance ranging the rugged heights witl,
masculine contempt for such argus
ment. However, it must be just os
you say, Miss Meredith. And perhaps
T should ask if you mind my leading my
horse along beside you here?" They
had been lettering down the road with
the lest words.
ooh, 10; only" her glance straying
uncertainty to the turn ahead, beyond
which the first cabins of the camp would
be in evidence.
"Only so:far ! may go, but no farther.
All, we'll, I am generally philosophical
enough to believe in the half-]oat
theory, even If 7 am sometimes nuda4
cious enough to ask for more. II we
are not to meet again, am sorry; but
at least appreciate my good luck to-
day-you need not think me ungrateful
for that. AS to the handkerchief
please don't give it another thought; 10
Is not of the slightest consequence"
"But want you to have 1t back" she
nervously protested; ''and do you know,
It has occurred to me-I want to ride
IVA w VAAO AApoAI AioV hAAC1S W. V%LO Ia
the storm the other day; left my whip
there. Why can I not deposit the band
kerchief there for you? You would
have to go after 1t, to be sure; but, per- Z
haps-"
''That would not NATTER" he eagerly
rejoined, intently regarding her. Was {;
she possibly relenting in respect to
meeting him again, for some reason pres
ferring that other rendezvous? "When
will you goP"
Tomorrow morning, perhaps"
CAT what time?"
eat just about the time when you
will be going to Tomtown-if co. she y
rejoined, pointedly. plainly guessing
his thought. X will leave the handker-
chief in one of the boxes. fancy it VI
will be perfectly SAFE"
every well-though I'm cory to
trouble YOU" he responded, stiffly.
They went on few steps in silence &
until of a sudden she stopped, with q 4
suggestive glance ahead. They were Il
just at the turn Of the road. x think
we would better say good-by here" she
deprecatingly observed. "Will you GO ON
ahead, or shall 2" <
81 think would rather you did, If you
don't mind. I shall see you moment