The daily silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1903-1907, 1903-08-20

her, quaker and COufJefi StfalRnt
lct ks and perfumed curls. homespun
and brocade flashed back and forth as
they marche and swung and courtesied
in the old-time measures.
Hopes Continental officer had ex-
cused himself during the evening,
and only returned in time to put the
two ladies into their carriage. He was
breathless, rather ~dishevelled. and
minus his sword and cooked hat. The
situation plainly demaned an explana-
ton.
II canot tell o how sorry | was to
leave, you, particularly without telling
you the reason" he began. but /
did not want to spoil your evening"
Has anything happened that con-
Germs me?" queried Hope, leaning for
ward in alarm.
Something that concerns one of
your friends" returned the young
man. Fire searted in the North Star
elevators this evening. and when I
heard of it / hurried across the city
to see if | could help Elden-he and
| were college chums you know"
Hone had partly risen from the seat
opposite, as she asked eagerly, "Oh.
was it entirely destroyed"
Eyes, Miss Winslow." was the re-
~luetant answer. Not only two of the
elevators, but the mill, as we'll as
three cars of -four. The buildings were
50 close together that with the high
wind it was almost impossible to save
anything but elevator No 8, which was
or the other side of the wind. About
fifteen thousand bushels of grain were
destroyed, too, and while there was a
large insurance, the loss is likely tC
cripple the company. | stayed with
John until it was over, and had pur-
sUaded him to go home"
Take me TO him at once," inter
rupted Hope, imperiously. Then, as
the young man hesitated and glanced
at her aunt, she added pleadingly.
please take me too him-you and
<tOANlC-l ILL AZ VI OOhA . AiNbho
too, and-oh, don't you see that 1
must go. Just for a moment"
Thurby turned a searching glance
upon her, received a gesture of assent
from the Colonial Dame beside her.
and her leaning forward, gave an
order to the coachman.
There was detection as we'll as ex-
haustion in John Elden's attitude, as
he sat deeply in his study chair, with
one arm thrown Imply across his desk
Smoke and grim marked his face and
dress, and his eyes, looking darkly
into the future. saw years of toll
ahead of him. The weight of sudden
and awful misfortune was heavy upon
him.
What's the use of trying?" he was
asking himself. There's no one to
care-no n to work for"
The door from the hall opened soft
ly, and a figure advanced to the lamp
lights rim. He stared as one in a
trance. Before him stood a demure
and sweet Priscilla. her gray-gowned
figure thrown into relief against the
dark red lining of her cloak-a lovely.
white-capped Puritan maiden with
changing color and shining eyes. For
a moment longer he looked. Hope!
Hope." he whispered.
Il just heard about it, john" she
said softly, " and l came right to you,
to tell o how sorry l am"
He forgot his loss, forgot the black
hours through which he had gone; a
: wonder seemed to fill him.
And you came to me, You are not
angry, you forgive my rudeness?"
why John" she said in sweet ex-
postulation, how could l think of
anything but your troubles?"
She stopped, and an agonized flush
swept to her hair. A sense of all that
was implied by her impulsive action
overwhelmed her. Only for a moment
did her confusion last, for the young
man before her seemed to recall sud-
denly all that MS trouble involved,
and dropped his head upon his arm
with a groan. In a moment Hope was
at his side.
"You must not grieve,' she said.
You are young and have ability, and
you can soon"
And l am practically ruined" he
groaned. Il u not talk to you. nor
think of you, % belong to your world
any mre. l must go to the bottom. of
the ladder. and must put all sweet
ness aud joy behind me-"
But indeed you must think of me"
insisted Hope. Now is when you need
your friends more than ever in your
life, and we will stand by you"
but Hope, you do not realize" he