The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1906-03-03
CHAPTER XXVI

buds quite fortnight earlier than usual
a young fellow named Farringdon, tn
son OF friend of Sir Geoffrey's youth
mad been among the Christmas visitor
at Mallingford, and it was soon appar
emit that he had fallen desperately IL
love with sweet-faced Ethel. He wa.
most estimable young man, with {
substantial rent roll, and he went to Si
GeoHrey and asked his consent feelins
quite satisfied as to what would be the
result.
Then Sir Godfrey spoke to Ethel
ana was astonished on receiving an EN-
phatlc refusal, coupled with the DECLARE.
tlon that her heart was not her own tc
pestoW. 30, Sir Godfrey, bearing in
MIND the girls happy excitement over
fellngs letter, which contained moth
ing but accounts of Dornton's industry
talent and success, put two and two to-
gether and decided that she was still true
10 her nrst love. He was a little dis
appointed that it should be SO; but he
mad married for love himself, and he was
not going to attempt to influence his
daughter in the selection of her husband.
80 warm invitation was sent to the
roaming artists, and Ethel settled down
into beatific state of anticipation; and
one soft spring day toward the end of
April they arrived.
Sir Geoffrey actually drove over him
SELF to meet them, and Ethel put on her
prettlest hat and accompanied him. She
DID not go on the platform with her
rather, but sat there watching the few
passengers pass by ones and twos
through the little station door. She won
oered what could be keeping them.
At last her father came out. and with
him a handsome sun-burnt, broad-sbouI-
dered, bearded giant, whom Ethel re-
graded with no little surprise. Could
this self-possessed, courteous creature be
Jack-her Jack, whom she used to chide
sometimes for his little mistakes. who
had often confessed that he owed what
little polish he had to his intercourse
with her and her father? She was so
astonlshed at the change In the man
ana MS manners that some of her feeling
found its way into her face.
How changed you arep' she had al
most said improved" "You look as If
you mad enjoyed your winter very much"
have; but l hope to enjoy my
spring better"
Something in the words Jared Ethels
nice sense of tact She glanced quick
~ at him, blushed again, and changed
the subject
where's Captain Polling, papaY
Ihat gentleman stepped forward from
behind the pillar of the portico, where.
with a strange longing, he had stood
watching the eloquent little pantomime
OF bushes and glances that had Just
taken place. The girl looked at him for
moment in even greater surprise than
she had at Jack. She grew very pale,
then extended both hands quickly.
Il am so glad to see you again." she
said, though 1 am sorry to see you look
ing SO tired. 1 don't think travelling
agrees with you. You must stay at Mall
ingford, and be-nursed until you are
quite we'll"
A dusky red-called up perhaps by
the warmth of her greeting-suddenly
spread over his face, then left It again |
as colorless as before.
Il am all right" he returned, smiling |
at the anxious look in her eyes, "I'm |
as hard as nails; nothing ever ails me-"
I'VE won't argue the question now"
she said, with her usual brightness. "Are |
all your belongings right? Let us get |
home, then, and have some luncheon: | |
am absolutely famished. Come, papa"
The three men took their seats in the
roomy barouche, and the talk became
general. Ethel, leaning back in her cor
ner, and taking mental note of the trou-
BILE and suffering written SO unmistaka-
bly, on Pelling's face, did not notice that
she in turn was being watched as closely
by some one else, who, by the end of the
ive-mile drive, had come to the conclu-
sion that he had been decoyed to Mall
ngton under false pretenses, and had
made up his mind to take the first op-
Of ascertaining the truth from
her own lips. But the opportunity did
1ot present itself SO readily as he had
hoped, and three days passed without
! chance Of tete-a-tete. On the fourth,
however, things changed. 1t was the
lay Of the private view at the Academy.
IF course Sir Godfrey, by the right of
lis old associations. had the entree: so
'qually, of course, had Jack as an ex. !
iibitor.
The rooms were, as usual, crowded to
xcess. Jack and Sir Godfrey were In
ront, and Ethel was with Polling. Jack
urned suddenly, with his face aglow and ,
lis eyes shining, and said, In a proud I
Whisper: 1
"Pelling, it's on the line!
Polling pressed forward and shook {
i'm stealthily by the hand. Ethel saw I
he movement and for moment wished
he was a man to inspire such friend /
hip as existed between these two: then t
he offered her congratulations warmly t
nd sincerely. q
The other two passed on, leaving Ethel
18th Jack to take note of the points of I
he picture. Jack, Selling the opportu- a
ity bent his head and whispered:
do you remember my water-color of
st year." /
ITO be sure" she answered, without II
ny sign beyond a slight increase of color
lat the memory was a disquieting one. S
"How much has happened since then t
lat l could wish undone!' n
"And l, also" S
"Do you mean thatr b
"Why should l say it unless didY" f.
Jack looked excited. 1t was an awk- h
ard place to make an ayowal of love. h
'rtainly, but he would not lose the op- o
'rtunity she had given him. He leaned n
rward and pointed out some flaw in f,