Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-11-20

JdLHleSOn.' Looking up to cast this in
formation with proper defiance she saw
him grow pale and stiffen as if under a
dow. h was a little proud, truth to
tell, or her power to so hurt, and she
touched his arm in pretty repentance.
'but you mustn't hit absent folk she
said gently. at issn't like you"
Have you promised him?" and the
compassion in his face startled her,
though it called Indignant color to her
cheeks.
Mot YETI
Thank heaven!"
But l WILL" %defiantly, when he comes
today
Nance, if I prove him an imposter will
you reject him?"
"No."
"If that is true"
"Thank you so much
"Well, I'll risk it,"
"Risk-?"
ITS being untrue"
"How exciting and delightful! Wilt eat
head tilted saucily to the door: but a
hand on the knob. she looked back. sweet
coaxing in her eyes.
Ralph, you'll not tell on me?"
mo; I'll save you"
Going out by the veranda he found his
cousin John on the steps. Hs was staring
toward the elms. and there were wrinkles
On his brow.
Ralph" in a tone to match the
wrinkles, Il don't like that fellow Jamie
son; and there he comes again." wav-
ing toward the long avenue of elms that
led from the great gate, "prancing his
horse under a curl bit, the brute. And
Nance he PAUSED with a deeper frown.
Ralph frowned too. but hi attempted
some conventional comfort.
His being a guest at -"
Il don't care where he's a guest or
who likes him." John interrupted.
There's something wrong. But what
can I do?' thrusting his hands helplessly
into his pockets and going beside Ralph
down the steps. "She's such an awkward
combination you knew-my wife's sister,
my ward, my guest and of an age to
take a bride like a colt"
yes" Ralph said gently, she's only
a child."
Its not the first time I've wished her
father alive, Lean tell you. When I ac-
cepted the guardianship of an heiress
again she'll be ancient n ugly-and
dumb That last an afterthought, due
to the song floating down from Nance's
window, for she a a voice that left
very little crust over the hearts of her
hearers-"mighty fine for %coaxin'," her
old nurse, Nanny Jane, had said.
"The business would v suited you,"
John added, with a sudden side glance.
You've a way with you hat tames
things
~, flushing darkly. Nonsense. But
I'll see what I can do with this Jamie nn,
if you'll let me, h At once" md he
went forward to where the unsuspecting
captain was dismounting.
May 1 ask a word with you, sir?'
The guest bowed. In the pause, while
the groom passed out of earshot, they
measured each other rather keenly, and
aIph Carney's heart fell a bit. for this
rival was undoubtedly a handsome man.
Twill you give me the address of your
colonel?"
Why such interest in my %colonel?"
1--WE some charges that need investi-
CATION for the honor of the regiment
mo lady in the case"
"You may acquit me of any selfish mo-
tive. The lady in the case has rejected
me-
"strange lady"
LET us come to the point, Captain
Jameson. A friend of mine who knew
you in ="
Truce, man, truce" will a comically
rueful grimace you might rake out
almost any corner of my life and startle
the country exceedingly. Why excite
these people? I leave next week."
'It seems to me-" said Ralph, dryly,
"that the early train tomorrow"
You re abrupt" with a grim laugh,
"but I'll be frank with you. If the people
here knew me I couldn't stay, SO I'm at
your service. I'd give a good deal,
though" with a swift flush, "to leave a
decent mmory with those who have
been-friends to me-"
Ralph was touched. He held out his
he said; "nothing!'
you're a good fellow the captain
cried. heartily. and added, as he beck
ened for his horse, Say goodbye to-the
lady in the case: urgent business, ct
cetera. You know" But mounted he
had a QUESTION and a searching. glance.
Beg pardon, but, is it a recent matter,
that rejection?"
'Today."s
"Wen, I wish you better luck" said
III Sdpldli, LIN AC All ais
Returning. Ralph found Nancie in the
doorway. She wore her prettiest dress in
honor of the intercepted guest, and as
her eyes came from the vision of his
swift r%etreating down the avenue to this
meddling, rejected lover the flashed.
The captains adieu was delivered with a
steady glance, nevertheless.
Coward" she answered; traitor"
Than that cpr,p a ccSoo In, h;y f,oo a,,;,
startled her. She turned from him and
fed up the stair.
What the deuce is it?" asked John,
who was an astonished witness.
"Huszsh. He's called away on Import
ant business" 80
Sent away, You mean, eh?"