Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1903-07-30

was pressed convulsively on her side,
while with parted lips and pale checks
she leaned forward, looking at me anx-
iously; but when she saw that l did not
speak OF her ever having been engaged
to Herbert, the color came back to her
face, and with n sigh of relief she list
ened more composedly, admitting that
'she might have been mistaken; l looked
so much like Anna that twas not inn
possible"
This | knew was false, but / did not
contradict her, and proceeded with my
story, until suddenly recollectHg the in
cident at the theater | turned to Mr..
Delafeld and asked IF he remembered
itT"
He thought n moment, and then the
arm, which had gradually been winding
itself about my waist, clasped me to his
side, while he exclaimed, Remember
it? Perfectly; and you are that little
girl. They called you Rosa; and this is
why your face has puzzled me 50 much.
see it all now. You are innocent,
thank heavenw and the hand which,
heretofore, had held Ada fast, now rest
ed caressingly upon my head and parted
back my curls as he said, more to him
self than to me, 'and you have remem-
bered me all this time" Then, turning
toward Ada, he said, sternly, 1--WE will
hear you now"
Ada was caught in her own snare. She
had thought to prevent me from loing
her injury by branding me as liar
and now that | was proved innocent it
filled her with confusion. and she remain
ed silent until Mrs. Lansing came to
her aid by saying, II do not think Ada
meant to do wrong; she probably mistook
Rosa for her sister, hence the blunder."
This gave Ada courage, and crossing
over to me, she took my hand, begging
my forgiveness and saying "she had been
mistaken-she certainly did not mean to
do me so great a wrong, and she hoped
| would forget it and try to look upon
her as my friend, for such she would
henceforth be-"
During the progress of my story Ada
had alternately turned red and white,
particularly at the points where | touch
ed upon Herbert. This did not escape
the observation of Mr.. Delafeld, and
suspecting more than Ada thought he
did, he half seriously, half playfully ask
ed her why she had evinced SO much
feeling whenever Mr.. Langley's name
was mentioned"
Instantly the color left her face, which
wore livid hue and her hand went up
to her side as if the cause of her agita-
ton were there, while with half-stiAed
moan, she said, "Oh! oh! the painw
OF course Mrs. Lansing asked what
she meant, and Ada, in answering her,
managed to dwell so long upon the hor-
rid pain, which she feared would become
chronic" that Mr.. Delafeld could not
reasonably expect an answer to his Ques-
ton. Still, | think he was not salts
fed, and when | saw the mischievous
look in his eye, as he told her "she must
certainly be blistered," / fancied that he,
too, understood her as l did
That afternoon we were again assem-
bled upon the piazza-Ars. Lansing, Ada
and myself-the former nodding in her
large willow chair, while the latter sat
upon a little stool at my feet, and with
her elbow upon my lap was looking up
into my face with the childish simplicity
she knew so well how to assume. She
was just asking me to assure her again
of my forgiveness, when Mr.. Deaheld
joined us, and coming up behind me, lean
ed over my chair while he handed to
Ada little oblong package, saying, Il
was in the village just after dinner, and
seeing the doctor, asked him about your
pain. AS | expected, he prescribed a
blister, and at my request he prepared
one, which you are to apply at night
when you go to bed"
| could not see him, but | absolutely
piGed poor Ada, who began to realize
chat the way of the transgressor is nArd
The tears started to her eyes, while with
a look of dismay, she exclaimed, oh
Richard, how could you? | never was
blistered in my life. 1t will kill me.
can't do it, and she cried aloud.
Very gently Mr. Delafeld soothed her,
telling her that so far from "killinS her."
it would certainly cure her" he knew
it would, and he insisted upon her trying
it. At last, as an idea, perfectly at
ural under the circumstances, dawned
upon her mind, she looked up very sub
| missively at him and said. ITO please
! you, I'll try it; though the remedy, l
| think, is worse than the disease"
| hardly know whether he had any
| faith in her words certainly had not,
and when next morning she came down
| to breakfast in a loose wrapper, with a
very languid look, could not bring N.Y.
| self to ask her concerning the blister,
which the livelong night had drawn nice
ly--on the back of the freboard in her
room. AS | expected, Mr.. Delafeld soon
made his appearance, and after inquiring
| how his prescription worked, and if it
| had panied her much, he said, looking
toward neither of us, "How would you
| like to ride on horseback with me out to
Mr., Parker's plantation? | have bust
ness there, and do not wish to go alone"
"Oh, charming!' exclaimed Ada, jump
ing up and clappng her hands in n man
ner but little suited to a blstered side
that will be grand, and l can wear my
rev riding dress, which fits so nicely"
'Why, Ada, what do you mean?" said
Mr.. Delaheld, with great gravity. MY
invitation was intended for Miss Lee
You can't of course, think of riding on
horseback with a blister. You must have
forgotten it." and his keen eyes rested
upon her face with a deeper meaning
Il. 4. i I Al.