The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1901-05-24
"a OOD-BY, Mabel"
"Good-by. sir"

aside when she said it, never noticing
the outstretched hand ard imploring
eyes that pleaded 50 powerfully in their
silence.
Ronald Norton stood a moment, then
opened the door and went out, carry
ing with him a wounded heart, and
leaving behind one too proud to ac-
knowledge its pain.
But Mabel Leigh found out her mis-
take. She did not extract the same
sweetness from life that she had since
knowing Ronald Norton. Its hours
dragged YEARLY along. uncheered by |
the hope of his presence TO tighten
them. And, worse than all, it was for
no real cause that they were separated. |
A word-a "trifie light as air'-had |
hoated between them at time when
they both took it up and were too proud
to own repentance.
Ronald had never said the words that
would have bound them together, but
In a hundred different ways love had
spoken. They knew each held the
others happiness, and were content.
Ronald felt that the time had come
when he must tell Mabel of his hopes
and desires, and secure the prize his
heart coveted. For Mabel was prize
Her beauty and accomplishments won
many lover to her side, and Norton
was greatly envied.
No one would have envied him now
as, with heavy heart, he paced back
and forth in his room, through the live
long night, thinking only of the happi-
ness which had been within his grasp
and then suddenly failed him.
He knew Mabel to be slow to anger,
but strong in her wrath when aroused,
and he, on this night of all nights, had
unwittingly offended her by the strong
side he had taken in discussion.
Love of argument had always been
a trait of ROnalds character, and he
defended solely for this reason. Mabel
supposed he was uttering his own sen
timents, and her eyes flashed and her
heart beat angrily as she listened.
Could this be the man who was more
than friend to her? Could she honor
a man who cherished such sentiments
as she heard him speak?
Shaded from the light, she leaned her
head against the cushions of her chair
and thought, while the gentlemen con
tinued their discussion.
1t ended by her sudden rising. and
laughing command to dismiss the sub
ject.
The gentlemen apologized and obey
ed. and after a short time of genera
conversation, one by one took theil
leave.
Ronald fingered among the last, cage
to secure a few moments to himself
Nervously he walked around the draw
ing-room, looking at the pictures HI
had seen a hundred times before. pick
ing up and laying down the elegan
volumes, and feeling about as cool AM
collected as most men would under tn
circumstances.
How brilliant Mabel looked, leanin
against the door, as she chatted wit
young Styles. How she could endur
such a popinjay was more than Ronal
could tell, and here she was laughin
and talking with him as if Ronald wa
a thousand miles away.
1t certainly wasn't polite to stan
with her back to him, and it must hav
been for half an hour. Here Ronal
pulled out his watch. No, it was onl
eight minutes! What in the world Wa
Svles staying so late for? 1t was yer
absurd in Mabel to make herself S
fascinating TO everybody.
Poor Ronald, in his excitement stoc
glaring at them in utter disregard {
courtesy. Well was it for him TIL
Mabel did not see him.
At last Styles bowed himself out. I'll
expectant moment had come.
Mabel turned. but her brilliancy h;
vanished. Instead of the smile wi
which she was wont to meet ROnal
her face was cold. Instead of sinkil
on a chair for their usual parting cha
she stood still and looked at her waite
Il had no idea IL was so late she l
marked
Ronald stood transfixed. The chan
in her was so sudden, so marked
could not understand it.
But what could he say? To speak
love at such moment was impossib
But he could not 20 silently.
"Mabel-Miss Leigh" he began, d.
perately.
well. siry" was the cool answer fro
the cool belle.
May THAT is, win you allow me
speak of myselfg'
mo. sir" came clear and short.
..Not now" said Norton. hurried
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS timer
Neither now nor ever!' was the
ply. as she made a motion to leave hi
Ronald felt a chill like ice throu
IL. h...A AInnhaninailv he FOLLOW