The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-08-10

moment, stop, please, MI Il Oliuie, WhSh
we get to the hotel do not tell them how
frightened l was, l am ashamed of being
such a coward. | do not mind your
knowing but anyone else, you will not
mention it?" His heart gives glad
throb as she says she does not mind his
knowing it, and he gravely answers:
There is no reason why / should men
ton it, Miss Lisle. We are all towards
about something or other; would not
wish anyone to know what l am afraid
of " "You afraid of anything she says
with a laugh. "Since you Know my weak
ness you might tell me yours, it shall be
our secret" Our secret"-does she know
how sweet her words are-is she tempting
him or is she really unconscious of Aer
power? ITO tell you would be happiness,
and yet l sometimes think you know.
will tell you if you ask no further ques
tions," he continues recklessly. Agreed,
what is it that you fear?" 81 fear one
woman" he replies; you understand, let
us say no more" Yes, | will ask no
questions; now let me thank you before
| meet all those people on the piazza.
You have been so good to me | cannot
tell you what | feel, but you know | am
grateful You have no need to thank
me; you have given me the happiest hour
of my life. Good night and goodbye,
Trixy," he softly whispers as he kisses
her hand in the gathering darkness
Jean greets her with smiles and tears
as she comes up to the hotel, and Trixy
declares that she will never be so fool
ish again and apologies humbly for hav
ing given her sister such a fright 81
liz all ,;erI,f
very kind" "And we never thanked
him. says the contrite Jean. "How un-
grateful he must think us. | will see
him tomorrow. "Never mind, sister,
never mind, he will not be offended Now
am going straight to my ROOM l am
tired" and Trixy disappears for the
night
AS for Jean. she sits alone for some
time after Trixy's safe return 1T is
queer" she says to herself. He is not
an ordinary man. / wish | knew, and
Trxy, she never could-but then-Oh
wish she loved Henry Belding or some
thing" From these incoherent musings
it will be understood that pretty Mrs.
Cotton was vaguely troubled about her
beloved sister. August closed with sew
eral days of rain, so there were no drives
or excursions on the lake. Trixy was
rather glad, and during her enforced
stay indoors she did some very serious
thinking. One morning early in Septem-
Der Mr.. Cotton and several gentlemen
were discussing a fishing trip to one of
the beautiful streams in the neghbor-
hood. ''You go across one of the foot
hills of Toxaway to the left of the lake
then on the other side down for about
half a mile. L'Ombre says that is the
best of all these streams; why not go
this afternoon If he can show us the
way?" THAT suits me- said Mr.. Col
ton in answer to Mr.. Hale's question.
"Scoville and CRANKY will go; we might
start about three o'clock; that will give
us time to catch all we want Promptly
at the appointed time the above named
gentlemen, including Rex LOmbre are
ready for the start. Look at Scoville
with that gun, will you? Does he expect
to shoot trout. l say, sScoville, do you
fish with a gun?'' laughed Mr.. CRANKY
My gun will not trouble you" answers
Mr.. Scoville, as he settles it comfortably
on his shoulder. and arranges his fish
ing trackle. Il might see a RATHER or
hawk; it is well to be prepared" The
way to the trout stream lies partly over
the steep path that leads to Rex L'Om-
bre's cabin. Rex is walking in front,
followed by Mr.. Scoville, who is rather
stout and is somewhat breathless from
the unusual exertion. AS they walk
along rock bluff Mr.. Scoville's foot
slips and down he falls toward the dan
gerous descent. Almost instantly Rex
LOmbre's strong arm clutches him and
IN p1a AF
the same instant Mr.. Scoville's gun
catches on rough twig and the entire
discharge enters Rex's side. Without a
groan he drops to the ground The
others are for a moment too paralyzed
to speak; then Mr. Cotton saws. as he
kneels by the bleeding form: Quick the
DOCTOR, quick! Hale, run. My God! this is
awful" Poor Mr.. Scoville wrings his
hands dispairingly. IF l had never
brought that gun. He isn't dead. Cotton:
ne can't be, surely; it is not serious"
His heart is still beating, but it looks
awful to me. Here, CRANKY, help me with
MIN; his house is only short distance
from mere" Tenderly they lift the I'M
conscious man, and bear him as gently
as possible to his home. AS they lay
him on the couch his eyes open and he
5oSpS, All dCcluenC, q PAD one Tor me. -
In an incredibly short time the doctor is
with Them Rex smiles as the doctor APP
proaches him, and says: II may have to
leave Sapphire sooner than l thought.
doctor; feel strangely weak" 81 hope
not my dear fellow; let me see what I
can do for you" He kneels by his side
and removes the blood stained garments
from the wound. After a brief examina-
tion he bites his lips and walks to the
door. Mortally wounded" he says to
the detected Mr. Scoville, who is sitting
on the step. Bleeding internally;
can do nothing" Once more he APP
proaches the couch and as he does so
Rex says: us this really my discharge.
doctor. You need not fear to tell me;
| have met worse things than DEATH
4 fear it is, LOmbre. We doctors feel
very helpless in times like this How
long have l to live. You can tell me
that?" An hour or two, perhaps. my
brave boy. If only / could help you
Between and o'clock Trixy Lisle
In a dainty white dress, with fluttering
satin ribbons. the very ideal of girlish
loneliness comes ont on tho hotal nj no