Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-08-24
HESPER
HAMLIN GARLAND


and now you tell me in that supercil-
ious tone that nothing happened"
Ann fired into anger. what could
happen? You needn't speak in riddles,
Jeanette. What do you think should
have happened? Come, now, you silly,
romantic thing!'
Some note In her voice touched Mrs.
Barnett, and she slowly replied: "Ann
Rupert, you are the coolest, cruelest
creature ever knew. l know what
you did TO that poor fellow. You un-
mercifulIy snubbed him; you froze his
gratitude on his lips. OF course you are
infinitely his superlor'-she became
weakly sarcastic at this polnt-"but
you are not justified in stabbing sick
man to the heart"
You're quite mistaken. was very
nice to him."
Mice! I've seen you nice to young
men before. Oh, I'd like to see some
man crush you! I'd enjoy seeing you
crawl!'
: Mrs. Barnett went Immediately 10
Raymond's door and knocked. At his
word she entered. He sat where Ann
had left him, but Louis was beside
him, showing him a new drawing.
isn't that wonderful said Ray
mond, holding the sketch In the air, his
eyes aglow with pride in the boy. IF 1
could do that would never be lone
some or restless. I wish l knew my
use In the world as certainly as Louis
does"
The young artist flushed with the
pleasure. Its just as wonderful to
ride the way you do and throw a rope
and all that. I'll teach you to draw if
you want me to-"
Raymond turned to Mrs. Barnett
with look in which amusement and a
certain sorrow. met. Pm long past
such instruction, lad. l haven't sense
enough to keep out of mischief. You
draw, and Ill do the posing. I'm a
good poser. Don't you think so, Mrs.
Barnett?"
Il don't know what you mean," said
she, feeling vaguely his pain and dis
conference.-the disillusionment
Il posed as farmer and deceived
good Don Barnett. l made up for a
cowboy and fooled Baker and the rest
of the squad. And now I'm posing as
an invalid when / ought to be out on
the ranch again. It's time l rode
away to new range"
Mrs. Barnett was alarmed at the
undertone of bitterness in his words.
You must not think OF even walking
downstairs for q week."
"But can't sit here and sink deeper
and deeper into obligation to you," he
answered. What rights have in
this roomG I'm only a poor, wander.
Ing neer-do-well, and your beautiful
home makes me ashamed-more than
ashamed-it fills me with sense of
guilt I can walk now, and I ought
not to stay another day"
Mrs. Barnett knew very we'll that
his mood was due to AIMS icy dis
dain, and she realized, too, how diff
cult the task of diverting his mind
from this foolish purpose would be.
She said gently: "You were injured in
our service, Robert, and 1t is our duty
to look after you. You must not utter
another word Of this sort Of talk to
me or will call Den. and then you
will hear voice that will make you
quake. tell you frankly l will not
listen to your walking out Of this room
for week."
Louis, who had been sitting in some
wonder, trying to catch the undercur.
rent Of this talk, put his hand on Ray
mond's knee and said: when you go,
I 60 too. Remember that"
1t was interesting to Jeanette to
observe that evening dress changed
AIMS estimate Of Raymond's charac-
ter. The girl had to admit that he
looked surprisingly well as he came
slowly into the library just before the
Little Chinese chime sounded for din
ner. Bvery trace Of the cowboy, the
man Of sun smit, wind swept plain,
was gone. he was pale, languid, but
SELF contained and wore his dinner suit
with easy grace.
His manner towxrd Ann was that of
polite acquaintance merely, and her
fear Of something-she hardly knew
what-instantly vanished. His bearing
during dinner and throughout the even
ing made ksr forget the kind of person
he had hitherto seemed to her, and she
began to study him in his true charac-
Ter. He dropped all his ranch life
phrases and. putting aside his reserve,
talked with entire intellectual freedom.
showing a knowledge Of books and of
communities remarkable In any man.
Once or twice as she encountered his
glance a mysterious movement ran
about her heart and her breath quick
Gned.
As they rose from dinner and while
he stood to allow her to pass he said:
''You are very beautiful tonight. Noun
tain air has done wonders for YOU"
"You are very courteous" she re-
sponded, and her eyes fell eNasperat-
ingly, and she walked away with a
sense of having revealed weakness.
He came into the drawing room half
an hour later to say good night to his
hostess, looking very tired and pale,
and when he took AIMS hand his eyes
were burning with deep inner passion.
'Good night" he said, land forgive me
for any impertinence." She scarcely
had time to reply, to ask his meaning,
Tor Mrs. Barnett ordered him instantly
to bed.
No voice responded to Louis knock
ut Raymonds door next morning, and
hurrying to Barnett's room, Louis
called excitedly, cousin Don, have yor
seen RobW