The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1898-04-08

| the thought that he possessed her love
unasked. unsought. Strange that his
possession never seemed quite so yalu-
able as tonight He wondered what
! Sidney was saying to make her smile
and blush so deeply. Well. the act
would soon be over, and then ne and
Roberts would go and see them, and so
give the public to understand that mat
tiers were as usual between him and
Miss Brandon.
With this thought he resolutely
turned his attention to the stage, and
perseverIngly held It there until the
curtain fell. Then, turning to Roberts.
he proposed that they should go over
to the opposite box.
AS they entered It Sydney greeted
them In his usual sincere and hearty
manner, while Lulu. with smile, gave
her hand first to Clarence and then to
Roberts, at the same time motioning
her lover to a seat by her side AS
Roberts for few minutes engaged Sid
ney In conversation, Curtis managed to
ask Miss Brannon why she had not in
formed him OF her desire to come to
the theater. She frankly replied that
she had felt no special wish to do so
until Sidney Unexpectedly called and
asked her to accompany him. This she
told him with a manner so devoid of
coquetry that he felt reassured and
left her with n complacent feeling that
he was quite sure of her affection.
He called to see her the next evening
rs usual, and nothing wrs said of the
recent Incident. ClRrence's brief jeal-
ousy was forgotten and he calmly ac-
cepted the old condition of things.
Why should he be In haste to marry
even the most charming girl In the
worldi
He hesitated to give up the freedom
and luxury of bachelorhood for the re-
stralnts which marriage must inevita-
bly, bring. Lulu was such n delighted
companion and sweetheart Would
she be equally charming as a wife?
Whether or not she wished to marry he
never conjectured. He had always
lived for his own comfort, and self was
his first consideration. SO when he left
her that evening the words were still
unspoken which would bind her to him,
and he was yet free man.
A fortnight passed as usual, with no
change In the relations of the two.
Lulu was n proud girl, and Mrs. Cor
mans look of inquiry every time they
now met was hard to bear Matters
reached n climax on the day when
Belle lncautiously said:
81 have been scolding Clarence about
you. Lulu. l tell him he Will rue his
Indifference when 1t Is too late"
''Indeedw Lulu's laugh was rather
forced. And what did my lord say p
30, that he was sure of you, or some
thing OF the sort. He Is abominably
concelted though he is my brother"
Are not all men soT' asked Lulu
lightly; but her eyes were like sparks
When Mt o'clock next evening Clar-
ence called to see Miss Brandon, the
maid Informed him that she had Just
went out with Mr.. Lawrence" Again
the green-eyed demon seized the tardy
wooer. and this time 1t wonderfully
quckened his latent love. He resolved
to ask the important question at once
Early the next morning he went to the
home OF his sweetheart, only to And
that she had gone out for the day
Clarence was seriously disturbed. He
felt that something was wrong. If he
could only see Lulu for a few minutes
matters would be settled to his salts
faction, he assured himself. But. alas
that little word, ''If," has often proved
a barrier stronger than prison walls OF
iron bands.
For weeks he was bafiled in every at
tempt to see Miss Brandon alone, until
he was forced to admit that she pur
posely sought to evade meeting witt
him. This only made him more eager
and determined to bring one about, bu
more than two months elapsed befor,
he succeeded In securing the long ant
much desired interview. At last h,
wrote her a note, requesting somewha
imperatlvely to be allowed to see he
privately. The reply was brief. simpl,
stating that she would receive him tina
evening at o'clock.
Promptly at the time designated
Clarence entered the familiar parlo
and was greeted cordially by Lu. VIII,
yet evaded the accustomed loyer-lik,
caress.
"'Great minds run in the same chan
nell Clarence. At the moment re
ceved your note / was writing you al
invitation to CALI
This little speech quickly dissIpate,
the suspicion which had arisen in hi
mind Mt his reception, and he resolve,
TO state the object of his call withou
delay.
Dear Lulu he said. taking her han'
In his, 81 have come this evening t
ask you to name an early date for on
marriage. l want my wife as soon a
possible"
She allowed him to retain her hand
but the crimson deepencd upon the fai
: cheeks as she replied:
y clarence, I have something to sa
u which may give you pain. During tn
last few years have been dimly cor
= sclous that we are not exactly suited t
: each other. although a month ago
should have Indignantly refuted sue
an imDliCation from any ono else I ar