The Central Nevadan. [volume] (Battle Mountain, Nev.) 1885-1907, 1905-08-24

he snould make q step Forward to-an-
nounce his presence. 1t was not In his
character or traditions to be an caves
dropper; nevertheless he found him
self curiously unable to move or utter
a sound.
Angling for him-IT It was Dor
othy's voice, low and impassioned, but
with quick little gasp or two, such /
as would come from one who had sud-
denly received an unexpected douchs
OF cold water.
"There can be no doubt Of that" /
came Mrs. Shannon's Icy tones. "Only l
yesterday Joan was telling me OF her,
own misgivings"-
"Misgivings!' There was still that
tremulous catch In the breath.
"Oh, of course young men win b.
with pur In her well bred tones. |
"They will pursue the girl who holds
out the angling iron. You are clever
don't dispute the face; you are clever
and calculating-but one thing | have
to tell you: II you wish to remain In
this household you must assume dif-
ferent pose. And, remember, not an
other conversation alone with the Earl
of Stowbridge while he Is under this
roof. You may go now.v
There was silence just for an ap-
preciable fraction of second: then
little Dorothy seemed to be drawing
herself up to her full height as she
flung defiant, passionate answer into
her aunts face:
II thought at least you were lady,
but you're not. You're cowardly and
cruel and vulgar. Oh, how can You be
sop Dorothy, sobbing miscrabfy In
her hot anger and insulted gfrihood,
was obliged to leave the room. Mrs.
Shannon, cool and collected, as always,
touched bell and sent the cook some
orders about the salad
After dinner, while they were dane
ing. the earl sought Dorothy out In tho
star spr!nkled night, where she had
wandered to a hammock under the
trees, far from the chattering groups
on the veranda.
"I've been wondering who was be-
hind that lighted cigar" she said light
ly as he Joined her, and then, more
seriously, drawing in her breath deep
ly: Isn't it splendid out here tonight .,
/ like to catch that strong brine from
the sea. 1t gives one courage"
rs that what you want-ccuragcf r.
asked the earl, looking at her tendefiy
In the starlight and feeling his big.
honest heart a-throb. He sat down on
a stump of a tree close by. You're
plucky enough. fancy"
81 shall need II all, all the courage I
have. ~ She faltered, and under
the sweet, sudden spell of sympathy
her lips trembled piteously. The earl
leaned forward impulsively and gently
imprisoned one of her hands.
II know" was all that he said. She
measured him, not understanding.
''You see." he started to explain IN
his straightforward fashion, II was in
the next room this afternoon when your
aunt
She drew away from him with terror
In her eyes. "Oh,' she cried bitter
ly. you overheard all that cruelty.
ard-and it's made you pity mel"
Its made me love you, little one."
he corrected solemnly. Il liked you
from the first moment l saw you. but
now know that love you. OF course"
he added, seeing that she still shrunk
from him little, "a thing like that's
easily enough said, but just give me q
little hope, and I'll make 1t my life's
business to prove 1t to you, dear" He
held out his hand to her like knight
of old.
Dorothy tried to speak, but her lips
would not respond. Then she did a
curious thing She took his outstretched
hand In her own and pressed 1t close
against her eyes. and they were wet