The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1905-12-30
CHAPTER III.

NAAsAk 4 AAkh IA.
Now you are 70 consider yourself
quite at home, MFR. Dornton," Miss Nal
ling aaid, as she rose from the table,
Stay and mediate here in solitude, or
come out on the terrace, as suits your in
elinatiOn."
The moon came out by and By. throw
Ing from behind curtain Of tender gray
clouds a soft, siivery. shimmering light
over the landscape.
After Mrs. Seton had gone indoors.
Pauline led the conversation in a manner
that quite entraneed her companion. The
witchery Of the evening. the beauty Of
the woman, and the spell Of her fasci-
nations wrought upon Jacks impression
able nature. and his dreams that night
were Of lovely women with golden hair
and liquid brown eyes.
A week later. Jack Dornton stood az
the breakfast room window. apparently
absorbed in the calm. radiant beauty Of
the scene before him. yet hts breast was
torn with conflicting passions.
Pauline Mailing was returning to town
by the midday train. and the pain that
her proposed departure had caused him
had also opened his eyes 70 the hateful
truth that he had been unfaithful TO bis
little Ethers memory.
What a blind fool have been" be
told himself. wrathfully, TO stay heFA
day after day. and not see my own dan
ger. Miss Mailing has been very kind
and gentle; but l dare say she looks
upon me as belonging to 4 very inferior
class TO her own; and !. to show my
gratitude. must return her womanly
kindness by presumlng to fall in love
with herr Apart from nay supreme con
ceit with regard to Miss Mailing. l have
behaved shamefully 20 Ethel" be went
on and q auSh Of self-condemnatioE
crept over his handsome face. " iva
been away from her a whole week, aud
only one short note have | cent her
He seated himself At the writing table
In the window and seized a pen. lie
nlbbled the penholder, as II In expecta-
zion Of receiving Inspiration from the
act Before he had quite made up his
mind as to the wording OF his overdue
love letter he heard a rustic Al the door.
and Miss Mailing catered in her elegant
travelling costume.
How | shall miss your pleasant liz
tie morning chats, Mr.. Dornton'-with 4
gentle sigh-''our happy skstehing eIps-
ditions. and cur delightful evening"
You eanot miss them a. l shall. +"
Jack returned.
you think not p raising her eyes
slowly to his and dropping her vsics
mournfully. That shows how little zen
know and appreciate your gain In pos
sessinE the hearty love and esteem Of a
few true friends, instead Of the moaotsa
Gus adalation Of a horde Of mere fashion-
able acquaintances. You cannot under
stand. because you have asyer expert
enced il. how the emptiness Of our lives
sometimes pals upon Us BUTTERFLIES, aad
what We would give At such times to
have a real object In life; how we long
for the affection Of oua disiuteresred
creature
Here Jack would have precipitatea
himself bodily into the yavuiag chasm
she had so eSuvsniently opened for him,
but for the entrance Of Mrs. Seton. who
proceeded TO dispense the comforts Of the
breakfast table In her own inimitabls
manner The carriage was at the door
before the meal vas properly over
-Good.hy. Mr.. Dorntou," said Pauline.
as she stood with one dainty foot upon
the step. II shall hops % dnd you hers
when return; and | fear" she contia-
aed, again lowering her voice dangerous.
~. II shall not be able to endure much
Of I.ond9n's vapld society after the in
tsllectual intercourse We have enjoyed
lately. shall be back in a fortnight.
You will not forget me IN that timer
TO be continuedl