The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1902-02-14

Dih"uatIahcee or the others she left
the game and returned to the house.
very timidly she made known her
errahd to Mrs. Hancock, who smiled a
kind approval upon her. as she thanked
her' and told her that the children had
run away, thinking the game was given
up, out would probably soon return. In
the meantime would not Mile play
one OF her pioces7 Mrs. Hancock asked.
Ihere we're several people in the
uraWingroom. among them a gentle.
man whose appearance had created
some excitement from It's being so un.
expected.
Mr.. Darrah was an old friend OF the
Hancoeks. but II was several years
since they had seen him, owing To his
long absence abroad. He happened to
DO travelling through their part Of the
country, and finding that he should be
Obliged to pass the night at Eastern
junction, only ten miles distant from
Hardwiek, he had hired a horse and
carriage and driven over to call upon
his friends.
They were delighted to see him. and
hospitality urged him to spend the
night. He declined the invitation. how.
ever. as he wished to take the FIRST
train In the morning from the juno.
ton, and so must drive back that even.
ing.
They assured him that he could not
escape dining with them. as they had
postponed their dinner until eight
o'clock on account OF the chlldren's
party. He expressed his pleasure at
being able to do 80. and they we're in
tull tide Of earnest conversation when
Millio came into the room.
He was In the midst OF a sentence
when his eye fell upon her. and he
suddenly stopped. evidently much i'm.
pressed in some way by her appear
ance. He watched her intently while
she played, and at the close when the
others were applauding her for having
done 80 remarkably well, he went over
to the piano and began to talk to her.
Mrs. Hancock, seeing his interest in
the child, proposed to Mile that she
should take him TO the refreshment
tent for an fec. This Arrangement
was most agreeable TO both OF her
guests, who we're soon on such friend.
ly terms that the gentleman went so
far as to admire his companions dress.
IF you can buy such pretty things
In Hardwlck," said he. Il shall advise
my lady friends to come here to do
their spring shopping"
Il guess you We're never in our Hard
wick stores" answered Mile. laugh
Ing merrily at the idea. mo, indeed,
this dress came from Parisl" and not
without pride. she glanced at her com.
panlon to observe the effect she was
producing by her surprising statement.
lie looked as startled as she could
have wished.
us that where you do your shop.
pingG" he inquired smiling. though his
voice had n curious sharp ring.
"oh. no. OF course not. l never was
there. My music teacher gave me
this"
And her manner" he asked breath.
lessiy.
Miss Lester" said AIlllle.
He drew a sharp breath. Miss
Margaret Lester?" he demanded.
yes, that 10 her name" replied
Mile. surprised In her turn at his ex.
element.
"And she is not marrled7" continued
Mr.. Darrah.
mo. indeed. She is all alone. Her
mother died last year, and she is very
sad and lonely"
Both father and mother dead Poor
girl" he said softly. and seemed lost
In thought for a moment, but soon re-
sumed his catechlsm.
where does she liver" he asked,
abruptly. mot in this town."
yes, Just below here" Mile replied
you can see the house from here: that
little yellow one with the cupola,"
pointing II out
Thank you very much," said her
strange companion, and in a moment
he was outside the grounds. hurrying
down the street.
Mile looked about her for a min.
ute. blankly enough. but soon made
her way to the refreshment tent and
RECALLED herself on her own account.
At eight o'clock. the barges which
Judge Hancock had provided were
driven 10 the door to take the little
guests TO their respective homes. As
Mile made her adieus. Mrs. Hancock
asked her what she had done with Mr..
Darrah. and Mile told the story OF
his sudden disappearance.
Mrs. Hancock and her husband look.
ed at each other In surprise, which in.
creased as their guest failed to appear.
They were not aware that he was
friend OF Miss Lester. whom they
knew but slightly.
Dinner was over. and the evening
passed. and sull nothing was seen Of
Mr.. Darrah. The clock had struck
eleven; the coachman had come In to
inquire II he should put the gentle
mans horse up for the night. and the
family were debating as to the adylsa.
hility OF retiring. when the culprlt ap
peared. breathless and heated as
though from hurrying.
He looked decidedly embarrassed,
not to say sheeplsh. but Enthusiastically
happy withal A storm OF questions,