The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-04-04

this way?" asked Harry, with sud
den change Of tone. I'VE are close to
the very spot where Clarice was
thrown over the cliff on to that pro-
jecting ledge of rock that you can see
If you get off your bicycle for a min
ute."
Janetta jumped off, went to the edge
of the cliff, and peeped over, with
shuddering interest. II wonder she
was picked up alive! Were you with
herr"
Yes replied Harry shortly. cit
was hard lines on us both, wasn't it?
we had been engaged just MONTH"
Shes getting better, isn't she?"
Il do not know. Sometimes 1
think"
Harry came to an abrupt pause. and
Janetta did not ask him to finish his
sentence.
They pursued their way home at
more sober pace, and Janetta felt the
brightness of the day had departed
With the relation of that sad little
story.
They found Clarice on her couch in
the drawing room, every vestige of ILL
temper gone, looking her best and
brightest, arrayed in a new gown Of
soft texture and bewitching hue.
Yes, l hope you are going to say
something nice to me-" she said, with
an arch smile at her lover. "Ishad it
made as glad surprise, and came
down partly to crafty my own vanity,
and more to annoy Doctor Drake, who
told me to stay upstairs this evening.
Instead, I've invited him to dinner and
put on new frock."
=! care little for the motives that
brought you down, as long as find you
looking SO happy and pretty, if may
give expression to a TRUTH" said Harry,
sitting down by her sofa. Mrs. Nor
timer, will you be kind enough to
give us some tea? We are hungry
and thirsty after our ride"
Mrs. Mortimer looked more glum
than usual. She had employed her af-
ternoon in lecturing Clarice upon the
IMPROPERLY of sending out Janetta
with Captain Merivale, and Clarice had
answered her remcnstrance with
merry, derisive laughter.
I'm not afraid to trust them
Harry is going to marry me; but if
you feel like that, dear Mrs. Mortimer,
take tricycle. and follow after Them"
she had remarked, a little f1ippantly.
If harm comes Of tt"
No harm will come" interposed
Clarice, little sharply. "Janetta is
the soul of honor, and of Harry there
is no need to speak"
You have known her for a week"
said Mrs. Mortimer.
And she is as easy to read as a
book" C!arice had said. And there
the subject dropped.
'I'll tellSyou a secret, Harry" said
Clarice, when they were left alone for
for half an hours chat before din
ner. I've ordered a new dress for
3anetta an evening dress such a
pretty one, and it's on her bed ready
for her to put on tonight. l want her
to look her best. She knows nothing
about it."
will she wear it, do you Think"
asked Harry, a little doubtfully.
II shall be furious if, she doesn't.
I want Doctor Drake to take fancy
to her."
SO that's it, is it-you are turning
into a matchmaker? A dangerous
game, Clarice. advise you to drop it.
To Clarice's intense modification
Janetta. who did not come down until
the dinner gong sounded, appeared in
the simple black dress that she wore
every night. Neither did she and Doc
tor Drake seem to find interests in
common; for although he took her in
to dinner, and talked to her as in
courtesy bound, when he came into
the drawing room afterwards he seated
himself by Clarice's sofa, and devoted
himself to her for the rest of the even
ing.