The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1900-05-10
CHAPTER vIII.--CoSriNurp.

'Nlta, " u were only for Mr.. Lntrobc
should not cnrc n snap OF my finger.
put It's you-you! l thought you had
more sense. | thought you fully under.
Stood that you couldn't afford 20 lose
yourself n moment. and yet II ever n
sirl looked like yielding you did this
VERY afternoon. For my sake. Niin.
don't let IL go amy furthcr-don't fall
In love-hcrc-whntcvcr you do"
The younger sister stood at the dress
ing-tablc NJ the moment, her face avert.
ed. The Mary Powell was just round
ing the point. and the mellow, mclo.
dfAus notes OF her bell were still cchoing
through the Highlands. Nitn was gaz.
ing out upon the gorgeous effect Of
sunset light and shadow on the cast.
crn cliffs and crngs across the Ilud.
son, n NIush ns vivid mantIing her
cheeks. her lips qui,cring. She was
making valiant efforts To control her.
self before replying.
I'm not In love with him." she finally
said.
"pcrhnps not---yct. Surely hope not. d.
but II looks awfully like IL was com.
ing-and Nita, you simply mustn't.
You've got to marry money if | have 10
stand guard over you and see you do
it-nnd you know you can this minute
IL you'll only listen"
The younger girl wheeled sharply
her eyes flashing. PEGGY, YOU prom.
iscd me ! shouldn't hear that hateful
thing again--at lcnst not until we left
htrc-nnd you've broken your word
twice. You"
"lt's because ] must. can't see YOU
drif'ing-thc way did when. with
things have come 50 terrible sudden
like. This time yesterday was living
your youth and-ndvnniagcs. YOU can
pick and choose. Col. Frost has mines
and money all over the west. and he
was your shadow ut the scashorc. and
all broken up: he told me 50 when we
came here. Paddy Latrobc is II beau.
tiful boy without II penny"
''llis uncle" began Nita, fccbly.
Ellis uncle had n sister to support
besides paddy's mother. His pay Ms
brigndier in the regular service IL only
$500. lie can't have saved much Of
anything III the past, and he may last
"a dozen years yct-or more. Even II
hc does leave everything then to Lat.
robe, whatll you do meantime? Don't
be fool, Nita. because was. had TO
be. II was that or nothing, and father
was getting tired. You heard how he
talked"
The younger sister was still at the
drcssing-tablc diligently brushing her
shining, curly trcsses. She had re-
gained her composurc and took occa-
sional furtive peeps at Mrs. Frank. now
seated at the foot of the bed. busy with
bnttonhoOk and the nd JUSTINE Of u
pair Of very dainty boots of white Kid,
whose buttons CLEANED like pearls.
The mates to them. half sizr smaller.
peeped from the tray of Niia's new
trunk.
There came a fooistcp and u rap nj
the door. "Sec what II Is, Nita, there's
u loye-l don't want to hop"
IL was cnrd--a new arrival at the
hotel.
''Gentlemnn said he'd wait In the
parlor, M said the bcllboy, and van
ished. Ni,n glanced nt the card and In
siantly trouble stood In her pnling
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. Gouycrncur Prime"
For II 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? thought him safe IN Eu-
rope"