The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1905-06-24
4 singular SITUATION.

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81 OST, by thunderr' exclaimed
JEN Godfrey Barrett.
And as though In confederation
OF his dismayed remark, there resound-
ell from the lowering heavens a crack
ling, long rumbling. crisp as the can
nonade from battery Of artillery. The
man stood still on the country road
and looked around him, trying to de
eide la what direction ny the town
from which he had started out that
morning on trip OF exploration.
Mighty tropical scene for Illinois, 4"
he muttered. zone can't see a house
for vegetation. Hallol Thoae are red
gables showing through the trees He
turned on brtskiy In the direction Of
the house. lie would ask shelter until
the coming storm was over. aud then
make his way back to the village.
The day had been hot Even now
sultriness hung ike a paipable thing
over the land To the south and eaat
the sky was deeply purple Through
its serrated cloud banks tridenta OF are
pitchfOrked their gllttering way.
The cottonwoods at either side Of the
path up which the stranger walked
were moving reatleasly. The pale. in.
ner timing Of their green leaves made
an uncertain Skinner In ths premature
dusk that was settling down upon all
things. Now and then a bird chirpe,i
IA tiny. autiug note OF president agi-
tati0n.
The house upon which Barrett came
was not large. but Il was buut In colo
NAL style. and conveyed the Impression
Of comfort The door. standing wide
open. revealed a square ball. with rugs
on the polished door and dwnrf book.
cases let In under the stairway.
or cried soft. excited voice. 1T
Il you! You have cone-at last Go,t
frey Barrett's hand dropped from the
bell. A Lady appeared at the end Of
the ball. She seemed shy. but reJoics,i.
And. as she came out of the aetui.
gloom in the light from the doorway.
her appearance gave Godfrey some
thing OF a shock. There vas something
uncanny about her. And Jet, she was
unusually handsome.
why did you not write me 10 ex.
pect your she asked. spasm as Of
p@tn coutorted her features and she
laid her hand clutchingly upoa her
bosom. "COme-you are welcome.
DEAR She held out her arms In ex.
pectnut greeting.
II was the fact that her face. hair,
attire. all were white. Barrett decided.
that gave her such a ghostly look. And
yet the face was youthful, despite It's
coronct OF white. soft hair. But there
was something In the eyes that he
had never seen before. II was an or.
preston, vague. wistful. longing. that
at once attracted and repealed him.
Most Of all. IL aroused In him an mex.
piicuble sense Of compassion.
He went forward and took her
hands. He had an idea that this was
the proper thing to do. though he could
not have told why.
IF you will be good enough to Let
me stay here until the storm Is over"
he began, and a rushing torrent Of rain
confirmed his request
''Ah. longer than that" she said. She
smiled slow, sweet smile, inexpresa-
IDLY sad. wow that you have come
at last you must stay until It's time
to go away on your next voyage.
But, perhaps" looking at him with
hazel eyes grown suddenly brilliant
with hope, perhaps you will not have
TO go on another voyage. Perhaps you
can remain at HOMEGROWN
Barrett was at loss for a reply. She
took him for someone else-someoue
dearly loved at TINT And she looked
80 fragile. II II were suddenly to un.
deceive her as to his indemnity would
the shock seriously affect herr He had
noticed the instantaneous agony the
sight Of him had caused her.
81 think-mHybe-" he began to
stammer. Under the pretense Of put.
ting away his hat he released himself.
He had jerked II under his arm when
he went forward 10 take her hands.
Now as he turned toward the hall rack
he saw in its mirror that another won.
an was coming swiftly across the draw
ing room behind him--a younger wo-
man.
He flung around quickly. II beg
your pardon for this intrusion" he
said.
She looked apprehensively at the
woman In white, then up at the
straight, athletic young stranger. with
tie hns broad-based brow and frank,
fascinating blue eye& And he. In turn,