The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1906-11-23

On the doorstep OF Lavender Cottage
Maj Carruthers showed signs of UNI
soldie.iy hesitation. lns-ea4 e pulling
the belI-handle he pulled his gray
mustaehe and looked back undoubtedly
at Che garden gate througa watch he
had passed ere his COURAGE fai.el him
This will never dc" he s2id 70 him
self, and with an effort I've aid his fin
gers on the bell-handle. y faint tin
kle, and presently he was asking
maid who glanced admirilgiy at his
broad shoulders and broazel c5caeen-.
anee, if Miss Neville was Il heme.
Mi Camuther5 found himself n a
small drawing-Ioom, The furniture OF
which was old-fashioned yet arranged
without primnoss. a dainty touch was
everywhere evident and though the
season was late autumn, flowers
abounded. He noticed photographs Of
people as he had met them 20 years be
fore, and he observed with a sigh that
his own likeness had no place amons
them.
lie singled out one on the mantel-
piece. II was that Of brother officer
in his first campaign. Peer old Jack.
sighed the majCr; '.she has forgotten
me, end she has remembered you
though you've been in your grave
score OF years. wonder if you were
really engaged to her before
lie turned suddenly, for the door had
opened and Miss Neville was coming
forward u greet him.
90 you know me, Hilary?" he STAN
mered.
"!,now YOU? OF course, JIM" was
her rep'y, as she held out a friendly
hand.
Maj Carrr hers was surprised and
relieved. He had anticir ed an awk-
ward meeting, and at besa Il polite rec
oenition of himself as an old acquaint
lnco Wl0sc appearance was SCR OF
re5aree etion, but here was Hilary
Negile receiving him as though he had
pared fecr, her only yc1terday.
It aWr,'l.' Gcod of yG - he cried
boyi5hiy, and then laughed. He could
net help IT,
Il should have known you by your
laugh, anyhow" she said, smiling, and
motioninG bin to Il seat.
And | should have known you by
your voice
Then he became grave. ITS %
years in Dccembcr-20 years since J
last saw you
is it so much? l can hardly believe
It."
Neither can I, when l look at you,
Hilary
you were always abrccd any time
happened - be home en- leave"
Eyes. For years I had desire to
travai. Now. I'm rather tired of it all.
and am quit content to vegetate at
Lavender Cottage. | suppose the con-
tentmcnt is sign of age!' she said,
NONSENSE exclaimed her visitor.
He was forced to admit that time had
CHANGED her. but his heart cried out
thai she was as sweet and desirable to
him as ever.
I'm So she said, bluntly, thinking
to shocl him,
mot ill Jenuary," he returned, SIM
ply. - 90" he added, stoutly
The maid erred wi q tea trey,
and on her departure they dropped into
a conversation on the past-the past
as It had interested both Of them. II
was natural enough that they should
cone 10 speak of Jack Cunningham;
but the aia2 was a little surprised
THAI his eompinion referred to hef
dead loscr without great sadness,
thcs.h with all gentleness. Her fin
gers did not trcmble as she took the
ph0tograrn nom the mantelpiece and
handed it 10 her visitor
Peer ola jack he said, softly. Il
remember the Gay he AM | went to-
gethsr to J. cur pos its taken.
This is Il c., al likeness He Won
dered what else he could cay. After a
mouent he went on; Jack was one
OF tiloso eies. fellows w would have
c2ro to the ,op if h Ii lived. He
got ahead CT .ie in everything, Hilary
Il tbink YOU are und nating your
sell Ji.n." : said, llip =.
NO. It's the truth. lat only once
was | jealous Of his success.
There Was silence, watch was
broken OF last by Miss N Would
you like to see the com.alion photo
to jack's?" she asked, with a faint
sm4.e.
"4ls. ] hod in vain for it on the
maatelpiecc.'
"Excuse mo moment. then, and III
get it for yau."
stay, Hila.E," said the major, fol-
lowing her to the door rs it the same
as thi3?" And he took a worn leather
case from his breast pocket rs it tie
same as this?' he asked, opening the
case
Mig Neville stared for a moment