Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1905-09-30


she demanded with sisterly frankness.
Something's gone wrong, l can see
that clearly enough. ANY trouble at
the officer
mo"
WELL" impahently. what is It,
then? You always tell me things in
the end, so you might as well go ahead
and save me the trouble of dragging it
from you"
Jim stared moodily out of the win
dow and W Ichsafed no reply.
you've not quarreled with Clarice,
have your"
4 swift change in her brothers face
told Ruth that she had touched on the
truth, and she followed up her advan-
tage promptly.
That is 1t, I know. Now, what
was the fuss about?"
There was no fuss and no quarrel,
my sapient sister, only"
go on, do"
IL made a trlflng error when sup
posed she cared for me. that was all"
Are you crazy, Jim am sure
that Clarlce cares for you. Don't jump
at conclusions"
Il didn't jump at any conclusions,
assure you. asked her to marry me
and she fatty refused"
But why? whyl why?" Ruth asked
in honest bewllderment. 81 know
something Of girls and l am positive
that Clarice cares for you"
Il had sometimes entertained such
an idea myself, but you see that we
both made a slight mistake"
Don't be so maddening, Jim. dear;
tell me all she said. | am awfully sor-
ry for you, but l cannot help feeling
that there is a mistake somewhere"
Not much chance for It," Jim Ruth
erford said grimly; "She had fifty un-
answerable arguments against mar
rlage. She liked me, she was good
enough to say, but she did not dare try
the trials and tribulations of domestic
life with any man. Servants were al
ways leaving on moments notice.
and generally too, when the mistress
was Ill. She had seen so many men
act like brutes on such occasions that
she had not the courage to face 1t. |
tried to laugh her out of the mood. !
told her to ask you If did not behave
like an angel In all crises OF that kind
. -"
You really do" Ruth interposed
warmly.
Jim nodded his thanks and then re-
] "a "a
air.
1T was all no use, for Clarice said
that she had observed that mems ma
lures changed after marriage, and thai
some who had been models Of courtesy
to their mothers and sisters were the
embodiments of selhshness and incoa
siderateness toward their wives"
"Well, of all thingsr'
"Oh, there was lots more of il. too
and she was in deadly earnest
never saw her In such a mood. l hat
a good business, but l was not rich
, and would probably expect her to rur
the house and dress herself, too. OF
, about five dollars a week-Ruth.
say" breaking off suddenly with a pa
thetic appeal in his voice, what d,
] you suppose made her talk so?"
r Il haven't the least idea. I've no
t seen Clarlce for three or four days. bu
} l cannot see how she could have al
r tered so radically in such a short time
I'm going to see her, though, before
= am an hour older and find out tn
truth"
Il don't suppose that there is any
thing to find out She seemed to know
her own mind" Jim returned gloomily
"Now that is just what she didn
do. 1t is no use for us to argue. jim
but II I can find grain Of comfor
for you ! will. The whole thing |
beyond my comprehension"
When Ruth Rutherford ian allitera
tive name which the girl detested) wa
putting on her wraps preparatory to
belligerent call on her friend, she hear
Clarice's voice in the hall below. sh
went down hurrledly to meet her.
Come into the library" she sal
hastily, knowing perfectly we'll tina
Jim was in the room Just beyond
Now, want you to give an accour
OF yourself. What have you been do
ing to jim? He is just about broker
hearted, for he believes all the MOI
sense that you were talking to hIr
yesterday. What did you mean by /
Clarice7 You know that you thin
that Jim is kind and lovable and bri
liant"
"T don't" Clarlce flashed indi,
nantly, although her voice trembled
little. -he is not brilliant at ALL II
Is the most stupid man that eve
lived"
Perhaps you will kindly explain
Ruth said coldly.
But this Clarice stubbornly refuse
to do, and 1t was not until Ruth pl
of her dignity and descended to tel
der coaxing that she drew the trui
out OF her friend.
"He-he came around yesterda
morning-and had been suffering (,
three days with an liberated tooth.
didn't have a wink Of sleep during a
OF that time, and l was too great