The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-09-08
TT WAS a perfect moonlight night,

secluded pain IN the grounds OF the
Darncombe Cliff hotel. The man was
about 50 years of age, powerfully built,
with a strong, good-looking face and
bronzed complexion. His companion
was young and radiantly-pretty girl,
not more than 81.
They strolled for some moments in
silence. The man, with his hands
thrust deep in the pockets of his jack
ct, was thinking hard, thinking Of the
thing that had happened to him.
He was in love--in love with the girl
who was walking so calmly by his
side. And it could have no RESULT IL
was impossiblel
They had come to seat on the cliff,
and the girl touched him lightly on
the arm. lie awoke from his reverie
with a start.
Shall we sit down for a moment? 2"
she said. you haven't told me half
Of what | want to know, yeti"
lie dropped into the seat by her
side. Below them was the sea, its rip
ping surface glittering under the light
of the moon.
You can't think" she continued.
smiling at him frankly, how dread
fully nervous was when Cyril told
me you were coming to England"
Balyell forced smile.
HAD he drawn such terrible pic
ture Of me, then?"
oh mol He is very proud of you
proud Of what you have done. But /
thought that, perhaps" she hest
tated, and her eyes fell on her engage
ment ring, that perhaps you would
not approve of his choice"
A sudden cold feeling crept over
him.
who could help loving him?" she
cried, eagerly. "He is so good - so
clever, so handsomel" She paused.
weren't you pleased, after all these
years, to find him as he is?"
Her face. sparkling with enthusi-
asm, was turned appealingly to him.
He looked at her for second, then
pulled himself together and lied
bravely.
Yes; he is a brother any man would
be glad to ownl" he said, in a voice
TINT seemed strange to him.
She did not notice it, however. Her
cheeks were flushed, and she laughed
softly
81 didn't know the world held such
happinessl" she said, in low tone.
AS what?" He could not resist the
question.
"rhe joy of being loved by Cyril, and
the prospect of being his wifel" she
said, proudly.
He turned his face away, that she
might not see the bitter look that had
crept TO 1t. Years ago, when hardly
more than boy, he had gone abroad.
He had worked hard, was clever, and,
best of all, lucky. In few years his
means were considerable, and, his faith
err dying, he had made an allowance
Of some hundreds a year to his aunt
for the purpose of educating his young
er brother. With these funds he was
sent to college, but his career there
was not particularly brilliant. Then
1t was discovered that he had a crav-
ing for art. and he was given the best
opportunities. Dalyell, to whom
money was now but secondary OBJ
iect, good-naturedly continued the al
lowance. Occasionally Cyril wrote en-
thusiastic letters about his progress.
but they always contained request
for more money, and Dalyell, sitting
alone ia his bungalow some thousands
of miles away, would smile contemptu-
ously and sign a check.
Immediately on landing, Cyril had
insisted on dragging him down to
Darncomhe, where Madge Escott, to
whom he had lately become engaged.
and her aunt were staying. They had
been together day or two, then Cyril
had gone to London to execute a COM
mission for portrait. leaving him be-
hind, and for ten days he had prac-
tically been alone with her. She felt
that Cyril had left him in her care.
and had. devoted all her time to him:
and this had been the result--he had
fallen madly in love with her!
"May tell you secret?"
He gave slight start as her gentle
voice fsll on his ears. He turned his
head, and saw a shy smile had crept
over her pure young face.
"Do!" he said, with an effort.
"Cyril said last week. she went on.
shat he is making so much money
at his painting that he wants the mar
rage to be next MONTH"
He felt slight SILVER run through
him. His brother was lying even to
her. He knew very well that his earn
ings from his brush formed but the
slightest part of his income. For the
rest he was dependent upon him.
you will, of course. be his best
man." she cried, gayly. "And you'll
have to come and stay with us-very,
very often."
Dalyell made up his mind.
Il am very sorry" he began, hating
iy. "But-I'm afraid shah not be
able to stop for the marriage!"
Her eyes opened in amazement.
"Not stop for the marriage?" she
repeated. "Why?"
He hesitated for moment, then
faced her resolutely.
81 find shall have to go back to
india" he said, between his teeth.
There are lot of important things
to be seen TO, and-well, have decided