The daily silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1903-1907, 1904-02-22
IN LOVE AND WAR

ing down Ine Wlue stairway anu OUT
into the warm brilliancy of the young
day, for 1t was midsummer, the time
of roses, of fragrance, of
And Doris seemed the veritable spirit
of 1t all-at least SO thought the young
fellow watching her from his seat un-
der the great elm. But it was not till
she was quite close to him that she
was aware of his presence. The gay
little chanson she had been lifting ceas-
ed, and the pretty, startled color deep
ened in her soft cheeks.
Bon jour," she cried blithely and
Mercy! What a morning to be por-
ing over a books! Why, instead you
should
IL knowi' He had risen and was
towering before her, straight and state
ly, a man with an air that was more
that of a soldier thar a student. you
think / should prefer to cultivate Dame
Nature"
There was a quizzical flicker in the
gray, black dashed. black browed
eyes hat met her accusing gaze.
"If you will put dow that book you
may walk with me as far as the abode
of Mrs. Melinda Parsons, who is ex-
pecting me this morning to write her
monthly letter to her sol In the Phil
ippines."
The permission is tempting" con-
fessed John Jardine, but there is
Freddie
ooh, if you prefer Freddie's society
to mine," The little chin with the
dimple went up in the air.
But I'm pal dto teach your broth
err, Miss Ware" he FASTENED to ex-
plain.
"And not to accompany me. I quite
understand" And then. with much
dignity of demeanor. Good morning,
Mr.. Jardine."
Good morning." he replied ruefully.
But the quizzical smile al dancing
again In his handsome eyes as Miss
Ware flashed open her parasol, whisked
up the skirts Of her embroidered ba-
tiste and turned loftily away, only to
pause when she had taken a few steps
and look back over her shoulder with
eyes full of infinite ~reproach.
There's that dog at Browns, and
he might bite. And-and it's hard to
get over the pasture stile-alone
And"-a pitiful culver in her voice
ciinched the sincerity of her assertions
-'I am afraid of sn~akes-and there
may be snakes. Freddie saw one last
summer"
There was no questioning the tri-
umphant truth of the final declaration.
Nor was refusal longer possible. Con-
quered, John Jardine found himself
walking along the avenue, adjusting
his long stride to the gait of Miss Dor
is Ware, who. now hat she had her
own way in persuading the most stub
born individual with whom she had
ever come in contact, was radiant and
bubbling over with merriment.
Since six months before their ac-
quaintance began the little flirt, belle,
beauty and heiress had vainly tried all
her graces and destinations on the seri-
Gus and stately instructor of her bois-
ferrous young brother. 1t had seemed
so natural since she was a schoolgirl In
short dresses to have admirers by the
dozen hat the difficulty she expert
enced of bringing Jardine to her feet
piqued her and made her more thar
ever determined to make him capitu-
late. She would have opened her pan
sy purple eyes very wide indeed and
have been honestly amazed had any
one accused her of being heartless.
She would have said that no one meant
to be serious. Anyhow, all knew-for
1t was an open secret-that she was not
free. Her marriage had been arranged
oh, ages ago-by parents and law
yers and solicitors and that kind OF
people. 1t was purely a marriage of
very convenient indeed. and quite sat
isfactory all around.
Some day, when she was old, very
old-perhaps twenty-four or there
about-Lord Lessington would ONE
sailing over the sea and wed her and
bear her back over the billow to a mag
niicent historic old home in Sussex
and she would be a great lady and
lead a good M beautiful life and be
happy forever and ever. Which, as her
heart had never been touched, and she
was only a wild winsome little maiden,
seemed quite right and natural.
Only of late she had begun to Won
der why her eyes would droop when
suddenly encountering those of the
maj beside whom she now walked,
rafting on in light. inconsequent fash
ion. She was furious when she found
her cheeks grow burning hot at the
moment of : chance meeting. What
was he to her that her heart had come
to beat more quickly when In his pres
ence? Defantly she summoned all her
bright audacity to conceal this strange
new unrest.
Homeward bound an hour later, they
secured their mail at the village. In
the green gloom, gold pierced, OF the