Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1906-02-16

event in a novel! Has Mr.. Mallett any
idea as to what it means?'
Not bit! I'm expecting him home
soon, and then we shall hear all about
it,"
I'm which case / had better be off
1t may be private family business, yon
know"
Il don't think papa would mind your
knowing. He looks upon you as a sin
cere friend. You are the only one he
has cultivated within my memory"
Poor Ethel! She had unwittingly
brought down an avalanche upon her
self.
You see, he has treasure beyond
price in his keeping and he guards it
jealousy"
For a moment the drift of his remark
did not strike her; she concluded he was
alluding to the secret of her fathers
birth, which she had thought was
known only to Lord Summers She was
surprised that he should know the Sc
cret; but she said nothing, and quietly
awaited an explanation.
Polling was slightly disconnected by
her unexpected silence and her inquiring
gaze. He felt that he had committed
himself in some way, and honestly re-
GREETED that he had been so indiscreet,
but he felt that he had gone too far to
recede, and therefore went on reckless
ly.
Mr.. Mallett is we'll aware that if a
man meets you often he must learn to
love you"
He stopped abruptly after this, and
noticed the quick flush that Overspread
her face; then, impelled by an irresisti-
BILE impulse, he continued:
Il know / ought not to say this to
you without first speaking to Mr. NAL
lett; but he has been so kind to me that
have allowed myself to hope he would
not object to me as a sOn-in-law, be-
yond the one great objection that APP
plies to every One-I should rob him Of
you. Yet / would not even do that en-
tirely. He should have his own rooms
in our home, and he could be with us as
often and as long as he liked. | would
make both so happy, if you would let
mel l would cherish you SO tenderly
and take such care of you that an anx-
ious thought should never come near
you, and the trouble in your face which
l cannot help seeing sometimes should
die from sheer inanition."
He paused. while Ethel sat quite still,
her hands pressed closely together in
her lap the flush still burning in her
cheek. He yearned to take her into his
arms and hold her there; but, reading
distress in her burning cheeks and avert
ed eyes, he determined not to press for
an answer to-day.
thVfu1 afra id
tressed you. I'm very sorry. l won't
trouble you about it any more just now
Try to think the best you can of what
have said, and let us go on for time
as we have been, good friends" He
rose from his seat, and held out his
hand to her.
Ethel was touched more than she
thought was possible by the unsel6sh-
ness of his words. He had made no
allusiOn to his own feelings or suffer
ings, yet she knew the suspense he
would undergo if matters were left as
they stood then. She resolved to tell
him everything, and let him decide.
Don't go for a few minutes, please"
she besought him, nervously. II have
something l ought to tell you. l have
loved some one else very dearly"
He looked gravely and pityingly at the
pretty flushed face; but there were no
signs of surprise as he answered:
81 guessed as much. You must for
give me for having played the spy; but
loved you so dearly from the first mo-
ment l saw you that / could not help
watching you, and l found it out. /
know that whoever is to blame for the
breaking off. of this previous engage
ment, it is not you; and, in spite of the
fact of your having promised in the
past to be the wife of another, l am
longing to hear you repeat that promise
to me. If you can bring yourself to dc
1t, l viii try my best to deserve my great
happiness by my devotion to you"
Again the thought rose in Ethel's
heart, IF l had only known this mar
before l knew Jack" All that she could
find words to say was: How good you
are!'
"Nay, 1 am afraid there is no great
goodness in me; but would try to b.
all goodness to you. Win syOu let m,
tryP
Should she confess that she still suf
fered from the pangs OF sighted love
There was a short struggle in her mint
between pride and honesty. The lattel
prevailed, and she rose from her seat
and crossed to the fireplace. She helC
the mantelboard firmly by one hand, anC
then, regarding him steadily, she said
without a pause or tremor;
'sYou do not understand what 1t is
want you to know. 1t is only very late
IL that my engagement with some on
else was broken oh-so lately, indeed
that / have not recovered from it.
wish you to bear this in mind-that
am still sorry about 1t. At the SAM
time / know you have done me grea
honor, for think you are true and hon
orable, and believe that If had tim,
to leave this sad memory behind me