Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-12-26

bending over her with love and passion
glowing in his handsome face, pleading
eagerly, clinging fervently to both her
tiny white-gloved hands. Mrs. Garrison
saw it all in the flash of second, the
adjutant not at all, for with merry
laughter she repeated some words he
had just spoken as though they We're
about the wittiest, funniest things in
the world, and looked frankly up into
his eyes as though he were the best and
brightest man she had met in years
so his eyes were riveted and the tableau
had time to dissolve. All the same that
sight gave Mrs. Garrison rather more
than bad quarter of an flour. She was
infinitely worried. Not because Pat
Latrobe had fallen desperately in love
with her charming little sister-that
was his lookout-but what-oh, what
might not happen if the charming little
sister We're to fall in love with that
handsome soldier boy. At all hazards,
even if she had to whisl1 her away to-
morrow, that had to be stopped, and
this very evening when they went to
their room Margaret spoke.
"Nita, if it were only for Mr.. Latrobe
I should not care snap of my finger,
but it's you-you! 1 thought you had
more sense. Thought you fully under
stood that you couldn't afford to lose
yourself moment, and yet if ever
girl looked like yielding you did this
very afternoon. For my sake, Mia,
don't let it go any further-don't fall
In Observation-Disclosures you do"
The younger sister stood at the dress
ing-table at the moment, her face avert
ed. The Mary Powell was just round
ing the point, and the mellow, melo-
dious notes of her bell were still echoing
through the Highlands. Nita was gaz-
ing out upon the gorgeous effect of
sunset light and shadow on the east
ern cliffs and crags across the Hud-
son, a flush as vivid mantling her
checks, her lips quivering. She was
making valiant efforts to control her.
self before replying.
I'm not In love with him, she finally
said.
Perhaps not-yet. Surely hope not,
but it looks awfully like it was COM
ing-and Mia, you simply mustn't.
You've got to marry money if 1 have to
stand guard over you and see you do
it-and you know you can this minute
if you'll only listen"
The younger girl wheeled sharply,
her eyes flashing. Peggy, you prom
Used me shouldn't hear that hateful
thing again-at least not until we left
here-and you've broken your word
twice. YOU"
Its because 1 must. I can't see you
drifting-the way 1 did when, with
your youth and-advantages, you can
pick and choose. Col. Frost has mines
and money all over the west, and he
was your shadow at the seashore, and
all broken up; he told me so when we
came here. Paddy Latrobe is beau
tiful boy without penny"
His uncle" began Mia, feeb1y.
Ellis uncle had sister to support
besides Paddy's mother. His pay as
brigadier in the regular service is only
$500. He can't have saved much of
anything in the past, and he may last
a dozen years yet-or more. Even If
he does leave everything then to Lat
robe, what'll you do meantime? Don't
be fool, Mia, because was. had to
be. It was that or nothing, and father
was getting tired. You heard how he
talked
The younger sister was still at the
dressing-table diligently brushing her
shining, curly tresses. She had re-
gained her composure and took occa-
sional furtiye peeps at Mrs. Frank, now
seated at the foot of the bed, busy with
buttonhook and the adjustment of a
pair of very dainty boots of white kid,
whose buttons cleaned like pearls.
The mates to them, half size smaller,
peeped from the tray of Nita's new
trunk.
There came footstep and rap at
the door. "See what it is, Mia, there's
a love-I don't want to hop"
1t was card-a new arrival at the
hotel.
Gentleman said he'd wait in the
parlor, M" said the bellboy, and van
ishcd. Nita glanced at the card and in
stantly trouble stood in her paling
face. Silently Mrs. Garrison held out
her hand, took the card, and one quick
look. The buttonhools dropped from
her relaxed fingers. The card read:
MIR. Gouverneur Prime"
For second or two the sisters gazed
at each other in silence.
AT last the elder spoke. "In heavens
name, what brings that absurd boy
back here? thought him safe in Eu-
rope"
ITO be continued