Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-05-29

W an admiring tone.
"A naughty, arrogant girl"
spitefully.
glanced up at the speakers; the first
was the good-looking young clerk from
ShillitO's-the second, a sOur-faced lit
tie old maid, with the usual frizzes. etc.
The object of their remarks had pass
ed from the long. low dlning-room of
our rather select boarding house. into
the hall, and from thence slowly out
into the street. II sad. distracted ex-
preston upon her sweet. pale face.
l had noticed her particularly at din
ner-studied her face to my hearts
content. and without the slightest dan
ger of attracting her attention. Not
once had she raised her eyes from the
plate; not once given the social board
lers curious glance. No, it was easy
enough to discern that we were of
small Importance to her-so small that
she seemed utterly unconscious of our
presence.
A beautiful. saddened face, such as
in my old bachelor life | had seldom
seen; fine. clcar-cut features; lovely,
transparent compilations; u small, sen-
sitive mouth. with vivid, crimson lips.
and mass of braided. gold brown hair
that looked to be her own.
had not met her eyes. but i'm
agined they must be fine and soulful;
and while bordering over her strange
manner and pale. sweet face l caught
the various opinions aud remarks flung
about promiscuously.
"A poets face with story in it,"
loftily offered Miss May Benton, the
blonde heiress, and being privileged
boarder she turned to our landlady and
inquired: Mrs. Smith. do enlighten
us as to our silent neighbOr."
Indeed, Miss May, know but little
myself; she came highly recommended,
and particularly requested to remain
undisturbcd. | have not exchanged
dozen sentences with her. Her name
is Faith Dinsmore-t is all can
tell you
For my own part | was silent; there
was look in the absent girls face
that rebuked rude questioning.
The days came and went, and we
became no better acquainted with Miss
DinsmOre. The ladies pronounced her
queer" proud" "unsocial:"-the gen
tlemen lovely" charming" and fol
lowed her retreating form with admir-
ing glances.
Once only had | met her eyes. or be-
held her calm face betray any con
seriousness of our lively table talk.
Some one mentioned an impending
murder trial, as she took her place at
the table.
"A young desperate! and quite de-
serving the fate in store for him"
vouchsafed another. heartlcssly.
But so young, he may not be entire.
ly bad" kindly interposed Miss Ben
ton.
True, and he will put up the plea
of self defense they tell me-
Little will it avail him. poor and
friendless. He is pretty certain of a
life sentence at least
At this point | accidentally glanced
toward Miss Dinsmore. and the start
ling pallor of her face and her great.
wide-open eyes. held hunted, despair
ing expression that was truly painful
BY strong effort she recovered her
lost composure. and soon passed out
of our presence. but the anguish eX-
pressed in her face haunted me for
days.
One day, seated in my sauctum for
was an editOr-a lady was ushered
into my presence. who upon raising her
veil revealed the sweet face of our
mysterious boarder.
Miss DinsmOre," | said kindly;
'please be seated"
With silent bow of recognition. she
sunk into the offered chair. and drew
forth large package, evidently of
manuscript.
1T Is story" she said. in the sweet
est. saddest voice | had ever heard:
mot Il first effort, by any means;
have been writing for years-but not
as this is written Please examine it
soon, for if declined | must try else
where. My price is five hundred dol
bars"
Five hundred dollars $"
Yes, l know what you would say.
understand your surprise perfectly.