Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1906-01-05
CHAPTER Nv

L i
Ethel Mallet knelt on a chair, her
bonny face pressing closely against the
window pane. The room being on the
second floor, 1t was only by so doing
that she could see the steps that led up
to the front door. 1t was quarter past
eight, and she was watching anxiously,
as she had done for several mornings
past, for the coming of the postman She
left her position presently, and hustled
about, putting little finishing touches to
the breakfast table.
1T Is hard on poor dear dad to have
to put up with petty Inconvenience"
she said, affectionately, as she laid the
morning newspaper next the roses, and
looked to see if she could do anything
further to beautify the unlovely lodging
house breakfast table. 81 know the sight
of stain on the tablecloth takes away
his appetite. With the very next few
shillings | make by my copying I'll buy
couple of tablecloths, and then we can
have an extra one without asking Mrs.
Philpott for 1t and risking black looks
for the rest Of the week. Oh, here you
are, papa! l thought you were going
to be late-and it is your Kensngton
day, too. All, there's the postman!
wonder If he has letter for me? Isn't
it strange that Jack has written only
once in a whole week q
Young fellows always find plenty of
occupation In the country; you must not
worry about 1t, my child" This remark
was rather uncalled for, as Ethel, the
whole week through, had scrupulously
avoided mentioning the subject of Jacks
neglect. 'The country round Mallingford
is particularly attractive, and l can quite
understand that Jack is feasting his soul
on its beauties"
"Oh papa, do you know Mallingford?
You never said so beforehand Ethel
was just about to launch out into
string of questions when her thoughts
were diverted by the appearance of the
servant with the fish for breakfast and
letter.
For me, and from Jackv she ex-
claimed breathlessly; but she did not
attempt to read 1t until she had attended
to every little want of her fathers, and
seen him comfortably settled for his
morning glance over the leaders in the
newspapers.
Then she took up the letter and be-
gan reading it. As she read, the sweet
anticipation of pleasure faded slowly
from her face, and she laid the epistle
down, looking perplexed and troubled
She went on pretending to eat, filled her
fathers cup when he pushed it toward
her, and resolutely kept silence until he
had laid down his newspaper and caught
her wistful look
''Well, what are you waiting to say?'
he asked.
Il don't know; Jack has written a
nice, long letter, and yet l am disap-
pointed. I'm never satisfied; am l, dad?
He tells me here that he's very lonely,
and line or two lower down he says
that Miss Mailing, of whom he gave such
a glowing description in his first note,
has left for London. l know I'm mar
row minded, but l can't help fancying
that it's more her absence than mine
that makes him lonely. AS if l did not
know Jack to be one of the most hon
orable men in the world! Please call me
few hard names, dad, and make me
ashamed of myself"
But Mr., Mallet did nothing of the sort.
II think 1t extremely bad taste on
Jacks part to fill his letters to you with
descriptions Of another woman's beau
ty."
Nov, there you are wrong! It's just
that that satisfies me as to Jacks good
faith. If there was one scrap of unfair
ness to me in his admiration for Miss
Mailing he would not write so openly
about it. 1t was only my nonsense about
being jealous, you know"
You are a veritable little bee, suck
ing the honey and leaving the poison.
I'll not say one word against your hero,
my dear But l don't like to hear of
any slight being put upon you. You
know l don't think him worthy of my
little girl"
you conceited old dad" Ethel said,
with a smile, ito think your girl better
than any one else's! Why, Jack is much
too good for me! Even you admit he's
clever"
Granted. But who is he2 He has a