The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1905-03-24

This last, IL observed by Mr.. Mont
gomery. conveyed no meaning to him, as
had told the episode, to which il re-
ferred only to Martha.
. Had ! seen and attended to those ad-
yetisements, how different might have
been the catastrophe. Of this story! =.
CHAPTER XVII. - +.s.
Twas strong in brave resolves when.I
Knocked at the door OF the little house.
But they were sadly shaken the moment
y was opened by Clara herself. The
sight Of her. sweet face, smiling. upon
me-. cowed my bravery Have come
here to look upon her for the last time
IS bid aieu}to that smile forever?' l
Fave no response. !iFM1,.E -
: Eve are all alone,"' she said, as we
went into the parlor. Mary is out, and
SO Id Mrs. Wilson, wonderful to say" !.
She was working hard at her paint
ing, as usual. 4 sat down upon foot
stool at her feet, and gazed furtively
up at her face. Never, methoueht, had
she looked SO lovely as she did that morn
ing. in the soft. haxy, autumn sunlight.
Half an hour passed away, and we
huu hOl CACAuHBCu uuik a uOACh WOIuSs
but that was not at all uncommon, for
loved better to gaze and dream than to
talk; and when at her work, she spoke
but little, She dropped one of her
brushes; and as l. gave it to her, I held
her hand for a moment fast locked In
mine. When. she looked down at me
smilingly aid saw me in tears. look
of concern came across her countenance.
would it make you very unhappy IL
I,were to tell you that you might never
see me again after this day 2 spoke
In a low, choked voice, and the gathered
tears burst forth from my eyelids, and
fell upon her hand. rt -.
She did not appear to comprehend my
words, as she saked, in a tone Of trou-.
bled wonder, what do you mean?"
repeated my question, in yet more
trembling tone. felt her hand more
passive in mine, and her eyes droop"d,
and the carnation tinge deepened in her
cheeks, as she answered, softly, ut
would make me very unhappy to think
So"
'Listen to me-" cried. kneeling at
her feet, and clasping, both her hands
in mine. From the time of our meet
ing, FIVE years ago, ave loved you; from
the time of our meeting a few weeks
back l have adored you! Oh, tell me,
do you love me? Answer me but one
word, my darling, my love" l cried
again.
She raised her eyes for a moment to
mine, and then dropped them, with her
cheek as crimson. as my own. Il do
love you, dearest-very much" she an
swered, in, her low, soft voice.
took her in my arms, and kissed her
fervently; and her sweet, blushing face
nestled upon my bosom like a bird seek
ing for shelter.
Where were my resolutions now?-
my heroic self-sacrifce, my stoicism
Melted-gone-disap like snow be-
fore a fire, in the fervid ecstacy Of that
moment l had come to pronounce an
eternal farewell; stayed to pronounce
ar. inward oath that l would sweep
away every obstacle, and win her yet
for my own undisputed prize in the face
of the whole world.
| After a time we sat together near the
window with my arm around her
waist, and her hand clasped in mine.
And thus we sat, silent-she, in one of
her dreamy reveries; 1, filed with gloomy
forebodings. For, now that the first
ecstacy was passed-now l knew that
her love was mine-the unnatural excite
ment Of my brain subsidized. the tension
of my nerves relaxed, and the misera-
BILE rashness of what l had done was
revealed to me in the gloomiest colors
l had sealed her misery, and increased
my own tenfold.
"Do you not think" she said, sudden.
ly, ''that we are very strange people
you and L? 1 mean, that we are very
unlike other peopleT'
81 have often thought So" said
"Do you not fancy the rest of the
world would think us very silly people
Now, you do not even know my name
But you know nothing of me, SO W,
are well paired. l know but little my
self, but that you shall know"
mot now, please, dear. Some day
when l am very brave, will tell you al
about myself"
Immediately afterwards, Mrs. Wilson
returned, looking very cross. II never
did know such a gossiping creature a.
that servant next door-always talking
to men, too. l don't know, l am sure
what her mistress is about to keep her
There she is, talking now to som,
| strange, Qutcl-lOOhiuS an
sure she is talking about us, for l saw
him point to this house, and then h,
said something, and she laughed; sh'
had better not laugh at my house;
won't put up with her impudence."
A strange man pointing to the house
What was there in such a commonplace
|, circumstance to trouble me? But it did
went to the window. but he was no
visible from there. l went to the door
both he and the servant had disappeared
l came in again and asked what the nal
. was like.
"Oh, l don't know. 1 never motto
such people. A foreign-looking fellow
with long hair" she answered. huffily.
! Foreign looking, and long hair! sucl
, description would apply to Mr.. Mont
gomery. Could he have followed he
: And if he had, why should that discon
r cert me? He could not possibly hav
I any motive beyond idle curiosity. New
: ertheless, could not reason myself GU
q of a certain uneasiness respecting thi
strange man.
d Mrs. Wilson did not recover the serer
: ity of her temper until after tea. In tn
: course of conversation l mentioned tina
l had visited a theater OH the previou