The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1899-09-07
THE PRINCETON UNION: rHuRsDAY, SEPTEMBER \, 1899.

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This hgsAuous note was sent by
Hannibal at an hour when the captain
was alone, and when, had he been dis
posed, he might have hobbled to the
door and answered in person; but hob
BILE he did not, ncr did he answer until
after long thought. He received the lit
tie missive with SURPRISE read it with
out tremor of hand or lip but with
something Of shame and pity that over
spread his face like a cloud. Was he
only just beginning to know her, after
all?
Pray Go not give my scratch thought-he
answered in writing late that afternoon-and
believe, my dear Mrs. Vim. that I have every
comfort that one can possibly desire. Every
one is most kind. I expect to be out with my
men in week and shall be delighted to take
the field and send Mr.. VIM back to you forth.
with Most sincerely.
And that was how, with polite but
positive Indifference, he had treated her
reference to old times and old friends.
Shallow as she was, Laura VIM was
deep enough to see that he meant to
hold himself far aloof from her. He
could hardly have told her more plainly
he would have none of her. He had
even dared to say it would be pleasure
to go that he might send her husband
back to her arms. And this was the
man she once thought she loved, the
man who, she believed, adored her and
would never outlive the passion Of his
sorrow at losing her.
Even now the foolish heart Of the
woman might have accepted it's lesson,
but it was time for friends again to
come, and, as Laura expressed it, "pry
and prod and preach, " and that brought
on climax.
Mrs. Faulkner had dropped in and
dropped out again, and Laura, who
seemed forever going to the porch these
days, followed and called her back.
"One thing you said don't under
stand,' she began, and Mrs. Faulkner
pretty face showed plainly there had
been something of storm.
II said this, Laura her friend re-
sponded, permitting her to go no fur
ther, but turning at the step and look
ing up into her indignant eyes, "You
do yourself injury by showing such
concern about Captain Barclay. Every
body says so, and it's all wasted, as far
as he's concerned. He never notices
your messages in any way
It was CALLING to feel herself censured
or criticised, but Mrs. VIM was be.
coming used to that 1t was worse
than CALLING to be told that her whilom
lover now turned from her almost with
contempt She could bear it that they
should say that Galahad Barclay was
again circling within danger of he,
destinations and would speedily tind
himself powerless to resist. She coulG
not bear it that they should declare him
dead to her. The anger ablaze in he,
eyes and flushing her cheeks was some
thing even Mrs. Faulkner had never
seen before. It was as though she hac
reused some almost tigerish trait. Fol
moment Laura stood glazing at he1
visitor, one hand nervously clutchine
at the balcony rail, the other at the
snugly buttoned bodice of her darl
gown.
At that instant the door of Barclay.
quarters opened and the sound Of glac
voices preceded but a second or two thu
appearance Of feminine drapery at thu
threshold. Mrs. Brooks came backing
into view. chatting volubly with some
one still invisible. Mrs. Frazier came
siding after, and then as they reached
| the open air the deep tones of their in
valid host were heard mingling with
the lighter, shriller, if not exactly sill
very, accents of his visitors One glance
they threw toward the young matro1
at the opposite end Of the piazza, an6
then it seemed as though Mrs. Frazie,
promptly precipitated herself into the
doorway again, as though to block il
against Barclays possible egress. ode
termined not to let him see me, nor me
him. were the unspoken words tina,
flashed through Laura's thoughts. Some
devil Of mischief seemed to whisper il
her ear, for when Mrs. Faulkner turned
again there stood her hostess holdine
forth for her inspection little note ad
| dressed to Mrs. H. H. VIM in hanC
Mrs. Faulkner recognized at once a.
Barclays. With an icy sheer the lady
spoke
"You think he doesn't write. Thi
came only an hour ago.
Not five minutes later Mrs. Frazier
turned to Mrs. Faulkner and asked
"What was Laura Vim showing yo1
"a letter?''
Mrs. Blythe was passing at the mo
ment, Ada Lawrence, tall, pallid sill,
of girl, in her first black dress, walk
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