Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1903-06-25
CHAP1ER XII

Aunt Charlotte, Anna and myself were
sitting in the parlor one morning, about
four weeks after our arrival in Boston,
when the door bell rang, and the servant
ushered In young lady, who | readily
guessed was Ada Montrose, for there was
about her an air of languor, as if she had
Just arisen from sick bed. All doubt
on this point was coon settled by my
aunts eXclaiming, RS she fastened to
greet her. why, Ada, my child this Is
q surprise. How do you do?'
The voice which answered was,
thought, the sweetest and most musical
j had ever heard, and yet there was in
1t something which made me involIl-
tarily shudder l do not know that
believe In presentiments, but sure am
that the moment ! heard the tones of
Ada Montrose's voice, and looked upon
her face, l experienced most disagree
able sensation, as if, in some way or 9TH
er, she would one day cross my path. She
was beautiful. yet do what | would,
could not rid myself of the iden that
she was my evil genius. though how in
any way she, proud Southern belle,
could ever affect me, plain school girl
OF fourteen, was difficult to tell She was,
as | afterward learned, twenty-five years
or age, but being rather dimlnutive in
size, and affecting a great deal of child
ish simplicity, she passed for four or five
years younger, and, indeed, she herself
gave her age rs eighteen.
Divesting herself of her warm wrap
pings, which she left upon the floor, and
shaking out her long curls, she informed
my aunt that she had come to spend the
day, saying, by way of apoloRizing for
not having sent her word, that "she had
yentured to come without an invitation,
she felt herself so perfectly at home"
Several times faucied she seemed to
be listening for something, and when at
last heard Herbert's voice In the hall
and saw the deepening flush on her cheek.
/ was sure that she felt more than COM
mon interest in him. In his usual good
hatured, off-hand way he entered the
room, tossing into my lap q letter from
my brother Charlie, and telling Anna that
her beau hadn't yet written; then, az his
eye fell upon Ada, he started back in
evident surprise. Soon recovering him
self however, he said, a. ne took the lit
tie snowflake of a hand, which she of.
icred him:
why, Ada, who knew you were
hercT
Not you, or you would have come
sooner. | reckon" said she, looking M
in his face In a coniding kind of way
which brought a frown to Annals brow
Maybe l shouldn't have come SC
COON" he replied, laughingly, at the
same time stealing a sidelong glance NJ
Anna
Here, sit right down by me-" sale
Miss Montrose. rs she saw him LOOKING
for n seat. II want to scold you for no
calling on me oftener when was sick
lou don't know how neglected | tet
Why didn't you come, hey?"
And she plsyfully pulled his hair, ri
lowing her hand to remain some tim
among his wavy locks. This was n kin,
OF. ccquetry entirely new to me, and
looked on in amazement while Anna
more disturbed than she was willing I
acknowledge, left the room. When sh
was gone, Ada said, letting her hand fa
from Herbert's head to his arm, "Te
me, is that the Lee girl who attracted 6
much attention at Mrs. Cores party?"
There was look of gratifed pride o
Herbert's face as he answered, Eyes
wv sdlIlN yOu lulHk uer pretty
They had probably forgotten my pre-,
cnce-Ada most certainly had, or els
she did not care; for she replied, "Prett
enough for some tastes, suppose, br
she lacks polish and refinement. Is sh
at all related to your
My step-father's niece, that's ALL" r,
piled Herbert, while Ada quickly reioir
ed in low tone, Then, of course,
slan't have to cousin her"
Probably not" was Herhert's o,
swer, which interpreted one way al
Ada another.
Her next remark was proposal tn
Herbert should that afternoon take b.
ut to ride but to this he made son
objection; whereupon she pretended to
angry, leaning back on the sofa and III
;rring that she didn't believe he cared
',il for her and he might as we'll COME
i at once"
Here the dinner bell rang, and offeri
hjs arm to the pouting beauty, Herbt
I'D her to the dining room, where 8
Gas soon restored to good humor by I
anni. 'yho lavished upon her the utmC
aitruti"n Lumoring every within, and
~. 30 Ear 80 20 prepare for her 70