The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1901-03-21

the house and noted with strong disap-
proval his seniors faultless attire, his
springy STEP curling mustache and gen
eral holiday air.
He hung about the house until he saw
Eva and the colonel appear in the gar
den and then concealed himself behind
a tree and watched.
Obviously the pair were lovers. All
unsuspecting they trod the garden
paths, first hand in hand, as they reach
ed turn by the shrubbery which hid
them from view Cecil saw the coloners
arm about Eya's belted waist. Furious
with them both he walked quickly to
the house, and as he strobe rapidly up
the drive he noticed Mrs. March rising
from a seat by an upper window which
overlooked the garden and the tree by
which he had been standing. She came
down to the drawing room looking
vexed and anxious.
Mrs. March, l have come to ask you
what am to understand by Eva's ex-
traordinary conduct" demanded Cecil,
| angrily.
"In return" replied Mrs. March, seat
| ing herself, 81 must ask what right you
have to remark upon my daughters &C
tionsP
"She is my promised wife"
Indeed When was the promise
nader
"Oh, well, you know, Mrs. March,
that has been understood for long
time"
Il was not aware of 1t, and judging
from my daughters behavior" Mrs.
March added, bitterly, 81 should imag.
Inc she has no knowledge of it."
"You know have always loved her"
Have you told her so? OF course l
mean with an offer Of marriage"
II thought she knew my mind" said
Cecil, weakly. But here she comes.
Please tell her to come to the conserva-
tory, If you will let me speak to her
now" and he retreated. Mrs. March re-
garded them without smile.
go to the conservatory, Eva; wish
to speak to Colonel Marion alone. Now,
colonel" she said, as the door closed, 81
want to say how much regret having
risked the happiness of my child by
trusting you. 1t did occur to me that
you might betray the trust and attempt
to delude the poor girl into the belief
that she loved man old enough to be
her father, but l thought-after al
these years-it was al unjust suspicion
on the part of one who-who has al
ways felt for you the-the greatest re
spect and esteem"
Mrs. March completed the sentence
with a trensor In her voice and her face
turned from the colonel.
us that all, Helen? Respect and es
teem?" said he, resting hand light!
upon her shoulder.
There was no reply, but the shoulde
quivered under the colonel's hand will
something like a sob.
"Helen, hope that is not all you cal
give me. love your daughter"-al
unmistakable sob from Mrs. March
because she is your child, and be
cause, II you will consent to 1t, wisl
to offer her the affection of father, a
the husband of her mother. Helen,
played the garden scene to a select au
dience, but my heart was with the gal
lery. Have I won the gallery's ap
plause%
"Oh, John, l have loved you always
) and l was afraid-well," she said, a
} she kissed him with cheeks still wei
, "you almost moved the gallery t
tears"
81 wonder" said the colonel present
ly, "if Eva is as happy as we are"
Mammal" said an astonished voic
behind them. Colonel! Why, mum
has been crying"
"Come and kiss your step-dad. you III
tie actress"
"Oh, NUNS, you never told me-" sal
Eva, laughing. What perfect
splendid curtain to our play. al
about to marry and leave the stage
Cecil, come and hear the news; the co
onel has"
KILLED two birds with one stone,
whispered the colonel to his futur
wlfe.-Modcrn Society.