Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1897-04-02

moment had arriyed-her heart sank,
and at the very door she had to pause
a minute to pull herself together; then
she went in. How the mans dark eyes
lighted up How unconsciously close
was the clasp of his hand on hersi If
she had had one heeting doubt of his
love that second must have dispelled it..
What pleasure to see you again,
Miss BraJ Ion" he said; "and what
an honor you do me to let me paint
your Portrait"
rs it? 1t is good of you to call it
So" Isbel answered brightly, but in
wardly every nerve was quivering and
strained. Aunt Mary began again
yesterday about having my picture
done. so I wrote to you. My aunt will
be down presently. but in the mean
while we can arrange the sittings'
dress, and so forth"
Errington passed by the so forth. )"
and only arranged for her dress and the
sittings
But now" she said, that that is
settled. we come to--you must please
name your
Pardon me-" Errington. interposed.
with resolute quietude that in itself
gave her fresh surety of her ground;
but you must do me the great favor
to let that part rest until the work is
finished. You are not like a strang-
En-
Indeed hope not" Isbel said gent
ly. well, be it is you please, then"
Thank you very much, Miss Bran
DON"
He rose.
She, too, stood up; the moment had
come; the woman's heart stood still
for moment that was agony; two
lives happiness or misery hung on her
courage or failure.
We'll. l suppose your time is valua-
ble?" she said. turning to him, but her
eyes did not fully meet his. Blythe
bye. Mr.. Errington. beiieve-if 1 am
rightly informed-that 1 have come to
you?"
Congratulate mel" repeated the art
list, in genuine surprise. IF or what?
on what ACCOUNT"
His surprise, and, oddly enough. the
very comedy of the position. gave her
new courage. Why. heard that you
are engaged to an heiress.' she said.
The Rubicon was crossed; here was
no going back now. come what would.
Errington flushed to the brow. then
paled again.
1T is absolutely untrue" he said. in
a strained way, and drew back step.
1t never could be true of mel"
But why not?" persisted Isbel, now
to her colors with true femin- |
inc staunchness. her eyes aglow, her |
soft tones steady. If, as I heard, you |
are attached to her, why should your |
engagement be an impossibility, as you
mply?"
Had some one-Glyn. perhaps-dared |
70 tell her this. meaning herself. but
without naming her? flashed across
Eric. in naughty wrath and pain.
Why impossible?" he repeated,
;tung to a sort of desperation. Be
,ause l am poor struggling man who
holds his honor dearer even than love
f the story were true. Neither the
world nor any woman born should
nave the right to believe me a dis
IGNORED fortune-hunter."
The worlds Judgment" she said;
md now her breath came quickly, her
yes flashed like diamonds You are
lot such a coward. | know, as to fear
hat; but is it much less cowardly to
re afraid of even the risk OF the
mistaking your motive-the
goman you love, remember" She was
peaking with q strangely passionate,
suppressed. force that sent a sudden
-ague thrill through the mana dim
ense of something that dazzled him
of a personality beneath the overt
leaning; an assertion of his love for
he heiress as a fact, not a mere figure
t argument. The woman you love,
and whose happiness, per-
APPS, your pride may wreck as we'll as
our own-who doubtless knows your
carts secret, and curses the miserable
old and cruel pride that stands be-
ween your lives"
"Isbel," Errington sprang to her
her hands in his own.
My darling. my love from the firstl
orgive, if you can, worse than fool
lat l have been. All, my poor Isbel!"
For the girl burst into tears as he
,cked her to his heart; the tension ;
iust needs give way at last, brave girl
Tough she was.
20 why were you so cruel? Why
Id you force me toto o. Ericl"
My darling-fOrgive mei-because l
wed so much l feared your scornful
,fusal. Why should you think me diff :
rent from other woOers? And new
dreamed of this happiness, dearest"
: said. passionately. One word-tell ,