Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1902-08-07
CHAPTER IT,

came SO near proving fatal
II have entirely recovered from its ri-
fects. was Mildrcd's answer.
you don't know how frightened !
was" said Alice.
Were you? We'll you look happy
now" and she looked down into the dark
eyes, full of the hearts sunshine. ~ on
are happy" Mildred went ON TO say, "aud
I think know the cause. Come, Alice,
let us walk little while in this calm
twilight, 50 that You can tell me all about
it,"
IL have little to tell you, dear Mildred,
said Alice, with smile.
II know you haven't All that Won
can say will not reveal to me more than
your looks have done already You hny"
promised Clarence IIarcigh that YOU will
be- his wife
"No, not exactly that Uncle Wei
worth says he isn't yet quite prepared
TO give his consent
"Why need the stin old Puritan know
anything about it,
Mildred"
"What Il world Of rcproof YOU some
times cOntrivc TO throw into a single in
fection of that sweet voice Of yours.
Well, was wrong, aud will never again
call him stiff old Puritan rs long aS
live, since you dislike to hear me"
Uncle WalwOrth does what he thinks
is just and right, and rs he is my guar
dian, ! am bound to respect his wishes
IF You and Clarence are not bctrOthrd.
he has told YOU that he prefers you above
all others. This much | am certain of;
it is no use for YOU to deny il.
Il shall not attempt it. then
And in return for the precious boon,
you are, doubtless, required to refuse all
offers during his absence If one Of Eng
lands proudest mobiles should sue for
your hand, you will consider yourself
bound not to listen to his suit
Il SHOULD have no wish to listen to it."
And you imagine that Iarlcigh will
prove to be insensblc to the charms Of
the lovely and fascinating ladies' that give
grace and brilliancy to the court of the
merry monarch My sweet Alice, believe
no such thing, | know Clarence Har-
leigh better than YOU de"
A troubled look stole over the face Of
Alice. As Mildred Stcalthily watched the
effect of what she had said strange
smile lowered on her lips, After few
moments silence, as Alice raised her
eyes to Mildred's, she caught CLEAN of
their cold. glittering light.
Il think" said she, that know Clar-
ence Harleigh well enough to trust him."
thine will prove which of MS is right"
AS Mildred said this they entered the
house Through the open door they
could see Harlcigh in an apartment with
Mr.. WalwOrth. The latter. though tall
and lean, showed marks of no inc0nsid
cradle muscular vgur. while certain
lines, deeply traced on his couutcnancc,
were expressive Of mental energy and
great firmncSS of purpose. Being seldom
relaxed or frightened with smile. n
stern, almost harsh. look had gradually
settled upon his features. IIarlcigh. on
the other hand, whose form was peculiar
~ fine, and whose whole appearance car
red with II an mir Of true nobility. was
a genuine representative OF the cavalier.
As Alice and Mildred were about TO en-
ter the room where Mr.. Walworth and
Harleigh were, Gilbert Falkland, as If
that moment returned from his hunting
expedition, made his appearance at Tie
outer door, Mildred, unobSrrvcd by Alice.
fell back behind her n little and said To
him quickly:
II am going to have little converse.
ton with llarleigh Rememhcr that
meanwhile, you are to entertain Alice "
This was said in a manner which ear,
ried more significance with il than the
mere words. Falkland nodded in return
in way that said, II understand your
meaning
Come, Alice" said Mildred, "wh,
should we inger here any longer? Can
dies will be brought in soon, aud it viii
be best for me to pay my respects to YOU
austere uncle, III case he should coudc
scend to notice me in the twilight.
will sober down these brillinnt hucs,
she added, CHANGING at her dress
AS You are naturally timid" SAT-
Falkland, with light laugh, THE vel
OF twilight will serve to hide your On,
barraSSment."
At the moment she placed her foot o,
the threshold, Mildred quickly and adroit
ly removed the tillet worn 10y Alice. caus
ing the bright tressrs which it held il
bondage to fall over her shoulders. Alic
would have demonstrated, but was pre-
vented by Mildred, who in playful man
ner placed her hand over her mouth.
Il am determined" said she, "rha
Harlcigh, before he leaves, shall. 10
once have some faint idea of what yo
would be il permitted TO make the hes
of those advantages which nature has he
slowed on YOU with so lavish hand"
rs it, all things considered cNuctl
politic?" Falkland whispered, ~ closcl
10 Mildred'S ear that she alone could heu
him
You will see" was her answer, IAN
you mustn't forget to do as told YOU.
Alice, except that she dreaded rcbnk
from her uncle, was not sorry for wha
Mildred had done, for, Of course. sh
could not fail to be aware that well Il
her pure, transparent complexion an
perfect features bore the ordeal of tn
plain, almost stiff style Of dress She VA
required to adopt they would be seen t
better advantage partly shaded by he
rich brown hair.
After listening TO the insinuatious q
Mildred, respecting Harlcigh, Alice fc
dlStrustful Of her power over him, an
shrnnk from the idea, on his arrival 8
England, of his comparing her with ~
celebrated cOurt beauties, which mad
her the mare anxious TO appear Ia IL
best advantage