The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1898-12-22

Yg1pAA mind. The contents of
Xk1ln1 that letter engrossed
W. his thoughts TO the ex-
cluslon of everything else.
1t was from his late travelling com
panlon, Birch, whom he had left In Par
Is a month ago, and who now wrote
from London TO tell him that the Kings
leys had quit the continent and were
Intending TO sail for America at once.
so the coast is clear. old man, and
You can come back" declared the writ
or. persuasiyely. You were an idiot
ever 10 run away as you did. Join me
here In a fortnight and well be In time
for that Mediterranean trip
Camperton's jaws were set and his
brows contracted as he stepped into the
elevator.
lie knew that the Klngsleys, In re
turning 10 America at this time, We're
curtailing their original European pro-
gram by at least six months. And 1t
was Easy TO guess the reason.
They were coming home TO prepare
for their daughters marriage 10 her
titled sutton. The Count himself. no
doubt, would follow IN II short time to
claim his bride.
And must get away before they ar
rive" decided the young man. II go
back to Europe by the next steamer
Through The mist of his mental alb
stracflon he observed that the elevator
had an occupant besides hlmself-a
woman who had seated herself In a
shadowy corner of the car; but her
presence did not change the current OF
his thoughts.
The elevator came TO 4 sudden stop
so sudden. indeed. that Camperton, not
being prepared to check his upward
course all at once, ~inyoluntarlly rose 10
his tlptoes, waving his arms like n huge
bird about 10 lake flight, and then
pirouetted gracefully toward the other
passenger In the corner.
"There Is no danger, madame he be.
gan. In his most reassuring tones.
Were fast between W floors and
must wait a while
He stopped short rs he noted, with
surprise and alarm. the attitude OF The
lady. She was still sitting in her corner
and was holding a handkerchief over
her face, while little convnlsiye quiyers
and shrugs OF the shoulders Indicated
that she was weeping.
In his coniritlon and his desire TO
soothe her narrowed feelings he was
about to sit down beside her, when a
sound that was strangely like a giggle
came from behind the handkerchief.
Camperton started up, flushing hotly.
"Do forgive me!' And the laughing
voice suddenly became coaxlng. Il
know Il Is rude of me 10 laugh. but o.,
Mr.. Camperton, you can't imagine how
funny you looked just now, when you
went hopping and WALKING about and
kneeling at my feet-for all the world
like a performing bear
Camperton did not hear. He vas star
ing at her in blank anlazement. He
made several attempts TO speak before
the words would come.
Miss Kingsley" he managed to ar.
tlculate at last. His heart had almost
stopped at the moment of recognition.
but II was now beating %furiously. II
tuppose this II your astral body. 1t
cannot be your real SELF
20. but It Isl said the girl with AMI
nation. I'VE came oyer In the Cam
panla, which arrived This morning. and
we are stopping at this hotel until our
house IS put In order"
"Wet"
"Of course; papa aud |. You don't
suppose | would come aloneE'
IL didn't know. | was not exactly
expecting you to come at all. Your
plans, as | understand them, would
have kept you abroad the rest of the
year"
Miss Kingsley dropped her eyes.
cit Is always easy TO change ones
plans. you know" she said, betraylng
a slight confusion. You did not honor
me with an explanation of why you left
Europe"
But the note!" he exclaimed.
'Fhe note, Mr.. CampcrtonT'
"And my letter? DO you mean that
Won did not read my letter through-the
one | sent TO you at Hotel Continental
two days before my departuref'
81 received no letter from you
"But. Miss Kingsley, you-you an
swered It. You told me not to mentor
the subject again, and YOU are annoyed
because | have Insisted on reminding
you of that letter. But | only want tc
explain why I wrote 1t. All Paris was
connecting your name with that of the
Count, and there were persistent ri
mors that you were to become his wife
It was common talk that your father
had set his heart on the match, and no
body seemed to question your willing
ness to become a countess. The rumori
and the gossip had a most depressing
affact upon me. | think you know, Mis-