The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1900-04-12
CHAPTER vIu.-Cosr1suEp.

CdAFl LEN f1lsNONIlN UED.
"Nita, if it were only for Mr.. Latrobe
I should not care a snap of MY finger,
but it's you-you! 1 thought you had
more sense. l thought you fullyunder-
stood that you couldn't afford to lose
yourself a moment. and yet if ever a
girl looked like yielding you did this
very afternoon. For my sake, Nita,
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
cheeks, 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 I hope not,
but it looks awfully like it was COM
ing-and Mia, you simply mustn't.
You've got to marry money if I have to
stand guard over you and see you do
it-and you know you can this minute
if you'll only listen" I
The younger girl wheeled sharply,
her eyes flashing. Peggy, you prom
Used me l shouldn't hear that hateful
thing again-at least not until we left
here-and you've broken your word
twice. You"
"It's because 1 must. I can't see you
drifting-the way 1 did when, with
things have come so terrible sudden
like. This time yesterdayHI was living
your youth disadvantages, 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 a beau
tiful boy without a penny"
"His uncle" began Mia, feebly.
ellis uncle had a 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, whatIl you do meantime? Don't
be e fool, Mia, because I was. l had to
be. 1t 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 furtive peeps at Mrs. Frank, now
seated at the foot of the bed, busy with
a %buttonhook and the adjustment of a
pair of very dainty boots of white kid,
whose buttons cleaned like pearls
The mates to them, half a size smaller,
peeped from the tray of Nita's new
trunk.
There came a footstep and a rap al
the door. "See what it is, Nita, there's
a love-I don't want to hop"
1t was a card-a new arrival at the
hotel.
Gentleman said he'd wait in the
parlor, 'm," said the bellboy, and van.
ished. 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 buttonhook dropped from
her relaxed fingers. The card read:
"Mr. G~ouverneur Prime"
For a second or two the sisters gazcd
at each other in silence.
At last the elder spoke. "In heavens
name. what brings that absurd boy
back here? I thought him safe in Eu.
rope"