Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1906-10-05

~ aS4t toWht b0b IL lain was toU
awful for anything. ana 1 stopped at
this hatefui place. X | had only known
you were here I'd have drowned my
self rather than stop!'
He rested his elbows On the table
and said quiesiy: by the way, do you
happen TO Know wnat the date is,
Penn"
Again she blushed, hut answered
carelessly: The eighth of March,"
You seem very clear about it." He
still looked at her.
Yes" She certainly was plucky
enough. 1T was to have been our
wedding day on the ninth. l believe"
How are You going to spend it?
Here?"
Il think not. l shall go on and
meet the Caseys, no matter wnat the
weather is"
Are you sure they will be there?"
almost. Pass the toast, please"
Il shall get Goffey's horse. or what
ever he calls that miserable strawber-
ry quadruped outside, and so straight
on after tea and tell Fred Casey 70
come for you" He felt thai a row
with Fred Casey would do him all the
good In the world, and was furious
that Pen should be stranded in this
way.
You Will do nothing of the kind,
thank you; l can take care OF myself
perfectly"
Apparently you can't. Might I trou-
BILE you for another cup of tea, please?''
you are not to CO." she said.
Il am sorry to displease you, but I
certainly will CO."
He pushed his chair back from the
table, slowly filled his pipe-every ac-
ton was so familiar, she knew SO we'll
how he crooked his little finger as he
pushed the tobacco down into the
bowl. now he would light it with a
coal from the fire and stand with his
eyes half closed enjoying the arst few
whiffs. Then suddenly he was gone.
Then Mrs. Goffey came in to clear
the table, and presently she was alone
by the fire, her hands tightly claspsd
on her knees, tears in her blue eyes.
Three months ago! How long 1t
seemed, and how miserable she had
been since' How her attempts a. hos
pital nursing had failed. How ner at
tempts to become an intellectual wo-
man and a power had fallen through!
How aimless she had been, and how
entirely certain that she was III the
wrong, that her petulant temper was
to blame, and that she still loved Tom
Godfrey with all her hearti She was
inst u Qlnnn in tho wnrld r0o1ar,E~-
some money and entire freedom. and
at present sts loathed and hated that
freedom. A tear dropped on the white
apron, and she gave a little shudder of
disgust that she should be caught
looking such a fright. She raped on
the floor for Mrs. Gofey. Bring me
my own things. please" she said, "if
they are dry; I am afraid of spelling
this handsome dress of yours" So a
few minutes later she was in ner own
things again. and seated herself on the
floor in front of the fire. At nine
o'clock Mrs. Goffey brought her In a
glass Of milk and a slice of cake.
Pen slipped some of the milk and sur
reptitiously poured the rest OF the
window, the cake she hid under a
glass shade. Half an hour later she
heard the horses hoofs again, and then
Tom appeared.
Fred is driving over for you cow"
he said. He looked approvingly a. her
change of costume. She was so pretty.
and her figure was so dainty.
pen, Gear, was 1t a mistake? Was
there any doubt In your mind? can
things he as they were before? love
o as much as ever / did think
more; and Pen, tomorrow was TO have
been our wedding day" He spoke
quickly. eagerly, there was a queer I'M
certain tone in his voice, and ne stood
awkwardly before her.
81 don't know. I'm miserable, and
I'm lonely" She turned from him
and leant her face against the mantel-
piece. but both her n and attitude
were yielding. Those two lonely hours
had done more for him than the most
eloquent pleading.
We'll, who can look after you bet
ter han -" He came close to her, his
heart was beating fast; the defiant
Pen was his own again. But, dear.
there must be no mistakes, no misun-
derstanding this time. If you take me
now. 1t Is for good and all, and we will
be married on our wedding day"
She smiled, but he could not see her
face.
Pray don't consult me about any
arrangements you are making"
Pen. don't jest. 1t is for good and
all fhja time Girl I rant Gao vo,
turn to me-" He laid a hand on her
arm. and then with a quick impulsfve
movement she swung round, turning
her face up to his.
"Ah, Tom" was all she said.
His arms were round her. Sweet
heart, 1t is good to have you in the
dear old way. II you could only know
what the time has been like! 1t was
cruel of you, girl, 1t was crueI!"
.And 10 Won th{DL 7 ba-o 49, -