Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1903-06-05
or 4. CONAN DOYLE

big central lamp, but Clara put her
| hand upon her arm. Il rather like this
| quiet light" said she. why should we
not have a chat?" She sat in the doc
tors large red plush chair, and her
sister cuddled down upon the footstooI
at her feet, CHANGING up at her elder
with a smile upon her lips and a mis-
chievous CLEAN in her eyes. There was
a shade of anxiety in Clara's face.
which cleared away as she gazed into
her sisters frank blue eyes.
Have you anything to tell me, dear?'
she asked
Ida gave little pout and shrug to
her shoulder THE solicftor-general
then opened the case for the prosecu-
tion," said she. You are going to cross
examine me, Clara, so don't deny it.
| do wish you would have that gray
satin foulard Of yours done up. With
a little trimming and new white vest
1t would look as good as new, and it is
really very dowdy."
You were quite late upon the lawn"
said the inexorable Clara.
Yes, 1 was rather. So were you
Have you anything to tell me?" She
broke away into her merry musical
laugh.
Il was chatting with Mr.. westma-
cott''
And I was chatting with Mr.. Den
yer. By the way, Clara, now tell me
truly, what do you think of Mr.. Den
ver2 Do you like him? Honestly now."
I like him very much indeed I think
that he is one of the most gentlemanly,
modest, manly young men that 1 have
ever known. So now, dear, have you
nothing to tell me2" Clara smoothed
down her sisters golden hair with a
notherly gesture, and stopped her face
to catch the expected confidence. She
could wish nothing better than that
Ida should be the wife of Harold Den
yer, and from the words which she had
overheard as they left the lawn that
evening, she could not doubt that there
was some understanding between them.
That gray foulard dress she
began.
ooh, you little teasel Come now, I
will ask you what you have just asked
me. Do you like Harold Denver?"
"Oh, he's darling,''
'Tdaw
well, you asked me- That's what I
inquisftive, you will get nothing more
out of me; SO you aust wait and not
be too curious I'M going on to see
what papa is DOING She sprang to
her feet, threw her arms round her sis
ter's neck, gave her a final squeeze, and
was gone. A chorus from Olivette, sung
in her clear contralto, grew fainter and
fainter until it ended in the slam of
a distant door.
But Clara Walker still sat in the dim
lit room with her chin upon her hands, /
and her dreamy eyes looking out into /
the gathering gloom 1t was the duty |
Of her, maiden, to play the part of a /
guide another in paths 1
which her own steps had not yet trod- 4
1en- Since her mother died not
thought had been given to herself, all /
was for her father and her sister. In
her own eyes she was herself very
plain, and she knew that her manner
was often ungracious. when she would
most wish to be gracious. She saw
her face as the glass reflected it, but
she did not see the changing play of
expression which gave it its charm
he infinite pity, the sympathy, the
'weet womanliness which drew toward
her all who were in doubt and in
rouble, even as poor slow-moving
Charles Westmacott had been drawn
o her that night She was herself, she
hought, outside the pale of love. But
was very different with Ida. merry,
title, quick-witted, bright-faced Ida
She was born for love 1t was her in
leritance- But she was young and in
locent- She must not be allowed to
-enture too far without help in those
dangerous waters Some understand
ng there was between her and Harold
Denver. In her heart of hearts Clara,
Ike every good woman, was a match
maker, and already she had chosen
Denver of all men as the one to whom
he could most safely confide Ida. He
lad talked TO her more than once on
he serious topics of life, on his aspira-
ions, on what man could do to leave
he world better for his presence She
new that he was a man of a noble ma
ure. high-minded and earnest. And
ct she did not like this secrecy, this
upon the part of one so
rank and honest as Ida to tell her what
Tas passing. She would wait. and II 1
he got the opportunity next day she
Tould lead Harold Denver himself on
D this topic 1t was possible that she
night learn from him what her sister
ad refused to tell her.
CHAPTER "