The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1905-07-14

she told herself viciously, az she gain
ed the privacy of her own room, and
flung herself on the bed. He had &C
tually told her to her face that he was
not prepared to carry out his part of
the bargain! What If she were to make
it difficult for him7
The idea nearly took her breath
away, as she dried her pretty eyes
and sat up on her bed. She would
pretend-merely pretend, of course-to
fall in love with him, instead of re-
pulsing him, and then when she had
carried him on to propose, she would
refuse him with dignity and decisionl
Could anything sound more delightful
in theory-7so promising of fun In prac-
tee!
She carried war into the enemy's
camp the very next morning. She
could brook no delay, because her
guardian was expecting q large house
party toward the end of July, and time
was short and precious. Instead Of
covert, angry glances, and sharp re-
torts, Ronald found himself met with
| gracious smiles, and low, sweet re-
sponses-a change for which he was
totally unprepared and hardly knew
how to take. 1t never entered his
head to think that she was in a con-
trary fashion playing just as much Of
a part as he had taken up toward her
self. Instead Of avoiding him as us
ual, Miss Farrell was pleased to be-
stow a goodly portion Of her time up
on him; she rode by his side to the
meets, splendidly mounted, and look
ing a perfect picture in her well-itting
habit; she waltzed with him more than
she ought to have done at the Hunt
Ball, and thoroughly did her best to
storm his invulnerable heart.
And one sweet summer evening, the
) knowledge was borne in upon her that
. she had succeeded! 1t was a perfect
; night, and the two were sauntering
along the pergola in the Southern rose
garden-the air was fragrant with the
scent Of tobacco plants and evening
stock, and away in a distant dark tree
an owl whirred softly. Overhead
hung a motonless canopy Of deepest
sapphire Illuminated by thousands of
twinkling stars. A night to stir young
blood and send it coursing through the
veins Of youth. A Midsummer Mad.
ness night!
"Love mer' she stammered, as he
poured out his heart before her. "But
What was this pain at her OWL
, heart? Was 1t possible that his words
should thrill her in reality? She had
meant nothing-nothing- could
she tell him 50?
you are-only joking-you do mo-
mean it." she stammered, AZ he stoot
his ground manfully.
!. "Dldn't you mean it," he asked sud
denly, as horrible thought, strucl
him. "Have you-no. you can't hav,
meant to play with me all this time
Answer me. Phyllis, beloved, you hav'
not been playing with me all thes,
happy weeks"
u The passionate look in his dark eye
brought hers to the ground; her cheek
flushed a deep crimson; she pulled a
, rose in her satin belt; an owl whil
red just above their heads.
> what did you meanT she asked
slowly, her eyes still bent on tn
q ground. "You-began by hating me-
! you know you did"
l Suppose were to tell you that tina
F. was all put on" he asked, tenderly
y catching and imprisoning in his stron
% grasp one of her hands. LET me max
my confession, here, under the star,
- darling. I knew yours was not tn
character to brook another shapin
your life for you, and SO determine
IL mine should be contrary wooing
re pretended that l didn't care-when
70 did all the time. Sometimes, darlin
81 heart, It is the only way with 70
er women-half the men in the world al
= actors because women force them I
be so. At first you were unkind, the
H. suddenly you changed-you becam
H. sweetness personified, you wrenche
H. my heart out Of my keeping, you mak
me think-what?'
His gaze still held hers in thral
e. The night, the passion in his voice, til
IS soft, warm, summer wind, all col
40 spired to turn her against herself.
10 II was playing" she said all at ono
~ in low voice.
e She felt her hand flung away, 81
II, heard him draw a sharp breath; a m
ut ment later-his footsteps sounded q
or the gravel path.
40 A bat swept down on her uncovert
er head. She stretched out her arms.
ne "Ronald?' she cried, suddenly. Al
et the figure fast disappearing down Il
path stopped. turned round, and SEER
ne the outstretched hands made haste
Ill return.
as II don't ever want to play again
to she whispered, as few seconds lat
mt her pretty head rested on his shoulde
of and she hid her flushed cheeks al
de shining eyes. ut was"
to He stopped her mouth with kisses.
m. | wos contrary tahtv, Z