Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1901-08-08
A PROPOSAL AND NO ANSWER
CHAPTER ".

AT the end OF the month the Maine
girl fitted into her surroundings as if
she had been born on a Rio Grande
cattle ranch. Her boy pupils learned
to love and rust her without effort.
Teddy" vo,. lily forsook the par
italy empl..u glasses Of the men.
a time relgiously put on his hat when
out Of doors and vowed that he would
never run away again unless she ran
with him "Palomita" nestled to her
more closely day by day a fragile low
ing and lovable child to whom Lois
supplied the long lacking place of a
mother Mrs Glynn she saw only at
meal times That languid lady with
her novels and headaches Kept to her
own apartments, reviving sufficiently
only to dress for dinner,
There could not be more care-free
life than that led by those sprigs of
English aristocracy, self-expatriated.
II seemed to the young woman that
they bred and herded cattle merely as
a matter of amusement The animals
force of Mexican vaqueros, range-rid-
ers, trailers and SO forth. The vari-
Gus "Honorables" were in saddle from
morning until night, but they were not
at work Polo peccary-chases, cours-
ing lack rabbits with greyhounds,
hunting lack-bellied quail excursions
to the river in search OF wild turkeys.
stalking the mule-eared deer took up
their daylight hours. At night there
was music, or moonlit strolls under the
soft blue sky. or the twanging Of gui-
tars and plunking of banjos on the
heavily wooded banks of the arroyo
Grayborouch was knee-deep in the
SHOWS. but to her the mocking bird
was pouring out its full soul to the
stars and there was just enough of
tang in the air to keep the blood dane
ing
But one thing disturbed the idyllic
uirent OF her life and that thing was
the Hon. Russell Maude. Struck by
her beauty when he had first seen her
and subsequently charmed by her bold,
Keen brain. he had set himself to win
her with an ardency and assiduity that
would not be denied He was eldest
of all the unmarried men on the
rancho possessed a certain influence
over them. though this influence could
not be said to be due to liking, and,
seeing his determination, they drew
back permitting him clear field.
When, in self-proteetion. the girl would
have sought Godwyn or Peyton, those
gentlemen were not to be found AS
for Allyn. he seemed to have been eff
faced completely from her life. He
met her only at table, was seated near
her but seldom and then devoted him
self TO his food with grave reticence.
II came TO be recognized thing that
when the men had entered the draw
ing room after dinner Maude should
seek her out and be near her at the
piano. or pen her in far corner OF the
room, where his large person shielded
her from view of the company. During
this time the man exerted all Of his
undeniable charm. He was well edu-
Gated, talked with ease, had seen and
known many interesting things in
many strange lands and was much III
love. He had a masterful manner
which seemed to say: You may evade
me FOR awhile, but my will is stronger
than yours and eventually | shall have
my way" Lois English did not know
what fear was. but she sometimes ask
ed herself if it would all end as he
wished; if, wearied of incessant pur-
suit, she would yield merely to obtain
relief. There could be no question OF
his sincerity When she was near, his
dark face lighted up as if some inward
fire had fared When she was far
gloom settled upon him. He drew him
self apart from his associates. They
round him more than ordinarily tact
turn and unapproachable. He was, as
G. Clayton ough put it, 'Doosid dis
agreeable, don't you know" With il
all. his bearing was devoid of open Of
Tense. He seemed to plead even where
b" compelled and she could not see her
way clear to checking bin. Indeed he
left no o"eaing for remonstrance and
he could only wait and wonder, not
knowing how Il would all end
On a December night, the others hav-
ing made up two tables az whist, Maude
led her through. one of the long win
dows 10 the gallery outside and thence
INTO the hard, white yard. Fifty var Is
way grew grove Of pecans and &c
ms he bent his steps she going ODE
t'ently She seemed to feel that &
crisis was near and her spirit rose e
meet H. There was no moon, but Ii
cloudless heaven was glory Of stars
80 large so brilliant that almost onJ
40 her lost northern twilight. was abou
ter Reaching the grove he paused
and looked at her for full minute
without speaking Finding the silenc.
ltKsome. and anxious as every woman
similarly placed is anxious. for the cru
.ial moment to come and pass she
aug ed lightly though with some con
atrai C. and said
You are silent tonight Mr. Maude
ere you thinking I pig-sticking or th'
thlngs IN the last London paper
OF neither" ne answered gravely
WIN his face set and his tall form
'lgid Il am thinking as | have
'housht for month past. Of YOU
Il should be improbable reflection. ;
8fe said quickly. There are matters
81 much more moment in the world.
Iheee is not" he replied. ST lk.nf
Win more rapidity and a little thick
?! ii the world. or n the uol~ arse. 4