Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1904-07-08
CHAPTER XI.-(Continued)

80, my dear Miss Nevergail, the Fates
certainly have befriended me this time
To think that 1 should have met thus
your beautiful self, just as you start on
a ramble, Is too fortunate for belief
Which direction shall we so, for at once
constitute myself your devoted attend
ant"
"Mr. Glendenning, you will excuse me
Ii | decline your services. l came out
for quiet walk by myself, and therefore
shall not certainly trespass upon your
time"
Pardon me, my angel, my time is OF
no consequence at all. L must insist upon
accompanying you, as l could never al
low SO lovely a lady to stroll around
without a protector"
"Sir," said Ethel, now really losing pa
tience, there is no danger certainly to
be met in the short walk 1 intend to take
in your uncle's grounds. But since you
aver otherwise, l shall instantly return. "
You will do no such thing" was the
insolent reply, as Robert sprang to her
side. seized her hand, and drawing it
firmly under his arm, held it tight, and
thus drew her back to the walk. when
propose walking with charming girl, 1
usually do it, -
"Sir. release my hand. I have no de-
Eire to go further. L shall merely add
that your presence is disagreeable, and
your words. of fattery almost. Insulting" +"
notwithstanding that. my dearest
girl" - We
Il am neither your dearest GIRL nor
your angel and you have no right to
address me in that style. l am your
Euncle's secretary and amanuensis, and
: am here merely to carry out his wishes,
.and work, not to be attended by you in
any way whatever" returned the indig-
nant Ethel, disengaging her hand; and re-
turning towards the house. - -:
"Miss Nevergail. go, since you are
30 determined, but remember, although
you decline my friendship, nothing you
may do will provoke my enmity, and be-
fore many days you will spend hours in
my company, voluntarily" .-........
Ethel made no answer, and the next
moment, re-entered the hall, leaving the
chagrined youth to his bitter reflections.
In one of DIR. Elfensteins visits he had
been presented with quantity of exceed
fngly choice flowers by a grateful patient,
and suddenly remembering the dismal life
Ethel Nevergail was leading, he resolv-
ed to divide them with her.
Driving, then, first to his own home
before seeking the hall, he selected the
most beautiful, and forming them into
graceful bouquet, drove into the ramble
with them in his hand.
Belle was in the drawing room and
saw him leap from the gig, with his
floral prize, so stepped quickly from the
window that reached to the floor, in or
der to attract his attention, supposing,
In her extreme vanity, that he would
instantly present them to herself.
But to her deep chagrin, he merely
made few passing observations, and
walked on, carrying the coveted flowers
with him. Biting her lips in keen vex-
alton, she muttered as she retreated to
the room she had left:
II will stay here and watch for his
return. Something seems to tell me that
those flowers are for that odious Ethel
Nevergail. If they are"
She did not finish her sentence audi
bly,, but the ominous look in her eyes told
of bitter feelings that would seek some
petty revenge.
Ethel was passing through the upper
hall to her room when DR.. Elfenstein
ran lightly up, and as he pronounced her
name to detain her, she tarried until he
reached her side.
Miss Nevergail, I do not know whe1h-
er you are as fond of flowers as l am,
but l have brought you a few, hoping
they may cheer you in your lonely du'
ties"
so, thank you, doctor! They will, in
deed, as l love them dearly. These are
perfect beauties and l shall prize them
highly"
THAT rose. 1 think. will adorn your
hair to perfection. Allow me to fasten
it there. May I?'
With a pleased blush the young girl
bent her head, and with skillful fingers
Earle placed it just above her small,
white ear where it nestled lovingly, add
ing a new charm to her bright young
face.
Just as he was finishing a step ap-
preached, and Belle, who could not re-
strain her curiosity another moment, as
she heard him pause on the floor above,
and then make some remark in low
tone, came upon the scene.
Just in time to see his hand leave the
rose, and to see Ethel turn toward her
own room, and disappear with the bou-
quet in her hand and a gratifed smile
lowering around her lips.
Waiting until she had seen the doctor
leave the premises, and Ethel again re-
pair to Sir Reginald's side, the malicious
where she found the flowers carefully be-
slowed in fancy vase upon the dress
ing case.
Seizing them without a moments hesi-
tation, she turned directly to the baro-
nets room. Ethel sat by the bed, and at
his request was striving to cool his heat
ed brow by gently moving fan. Rails
ing her eyes, to her astonishment, she
recognized her flowers, but before she
could claim them, Bellies angry voice ar
rested her attention.
''Sir Reginald" she exclaimed. 81 think
1t my duty to inform you that Miss New
ergail seems to have forgotten her posi-
tion as your assistant nurse. and paid
dependent, and seizes every opportunity
that offers to carry on sly hirtations with
gentlemen. 1 just surprised DR.. Ellen
stein placing that rose in her hair outside
your door, while at the same time he
gave her these flowers. Do you approve