Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1903-08-14

"a we 4 M = u @S'1SAf -
be just like Silas'
She begins to take down her long
black hair.
lin so sleepy she yawns, "and
I'm SO tired of books and, OH Honora,
I'm so glad to get back home"
When Silas came again Honora was
shyer than ever At the age OF twenty
eight coyness takes the form OF cold
ness, and honest Sllas was piqued by
Honora's apparent Indifference.
lit ha' allus been this q way" he
declared, holly. You allus did put
chlld'en afore me- Honora 1t wasn't
enough ter walt till they growed up
| mus now walt for their approval
'Taln't fair. Honora, faint fairl
IF Iisette didn't have a min ter
take hold o. teachln' class In the vii
lage right off, why" shifting his
hat clumsily from one hand to the
other" what's to hinder her from
comm to live along with me an you
at Curtis Cottagef She'll have home
o her own afore long she air too
purity to lack for lovers. Come, now,
Honora. woman, let's 20 see what Lis
cite SAYS TO IT,"
But somehow Honora shrinks from
consulting Lisette.
"'Spose she don't like =, Sllas.
Spose It makes her unhappy-an' she
jes' come home, too? Mebbe Silas, II
you would 20 to her little later on,
an kinder lead up to 1t, you might I'm
out"
But Silas Is off.
dispose she don't like IT. Do like
t spend all my days alone? 'Spose It
do make her unhappy-ain't l ben
wantin' for happiness all my lifei
faint fair" he muttered to himself,
faint fair!"
And SO the coldness grew.
Honora piled the needle more dill
gently than ever, and the grim lines
about her mouth deepened. She
never saw Sllas alone. Llsette would
hasten to meet him, and her prattle
would relieve the others from the
necessity of trying TO make converse
ton.
Sometimes, when Sllas was leaving,
Llsette would gaily offer to walk with
him. an Honora looking up from her
work, would watch the two figures
disappear behind the hill--the strong,
broad shouldered man. and the slip of
girl at his side.
And SO 1t came about one day that
I4isette returned from her walk with a
deeper bloom on her cheek, and an
unusual seriousness In her bright eyes.
"Honora," she said. abruptly. look
Ing up from the low stool at Honora S
feet, "why don't you get married.
Honora started Then a wonderful
light crept into her eyes and softened
the stern lines about her mouth.
Lisette knew Silas had told her
and the thought made Honora almost
as shy as the girl at her feet
well, yo see. Lisette," she began,
Il was beginnln' to be afeard that you
wouldn't take kindly to the idea, 30
thought I'd sort O. walt an see if"
Lisette interrupted her gaily, "If
you couldn't get me- settled OF first?"
She clapped her hands In childish
glee.
"Oh, Honoraw she cried, radlantly,
you won't have to walt any longer
for doesn't 1t turn out beautifully :?
I'm to be married, tool And, Hon
ora" in sudden burst. of confidence.
II wonder II you love your lover like
| do Silas.
"Ain't you pleased. Honora" she
breaks off. catching sight of Honoras
face "Honora. don't you go against
it. l ran right off to tell you before.
to say yes.
You see." she went on. at hap
pened this way. l was sayin' how |
hated the thoughts of takin' class In
the village. an Silas he asked me how
I'd like to give up the idea of teachin
an go to live at Curtis Cottage, An
then" she stopped. overcome by
sudden fit OF shyness.
And them Honora's voice was
harsh echo to the girls falterlng
tones
you stan In the light OF my guard
ian, Houora," Llsette answered, sui
lenly. II can't get married unless
you're wlllin-what was there for me
to do but to come an ask you? An,
oh. Honora. you amt goln against II
you'll say you're willin'. won't you.
Nora, darlin'y''
Honora's head was bent over her
knitting. She was trying to pick up
dropped stitch. and she was think.
ing of her mothers dying prayer TO
her.
When she looked up her face wore
its usual grim expression, but her
voice was no longer hard.
Il promise she said, as il in an
swer to that other appeal. I'm say
I'm willln', Llsette."
And so, when again the sun sank
low in the west. 1t was Honora who
went IN maat SilaS There WAS fIush