The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1906-11-27

avn for anything, n 4 stopped az
this hateful place. II | had only known
you were here I'd have drowned my
self rather than stopi"
He rested mis- elbows On the table
and said quietly; by the way, % you
happen TO know what the date is.
Penn"
Again she blushed, but answered
carelessly: The eighth of March"
You seem very clear about it" He
still looked at her.
Yes" She certainly was plucky
enough. 1T vas to have been our
wedding day on the ninth, l believe"
How are you going to spend it?
Here7'
Il think not. 1 shall go on and
meet the Caseys. no matter what the
weather is"
Are c sure they viii be there7'
almost. Pass the toast, please"
81 shall get Goffey's horse, or what
ever he calls that miserable strawber-
ry quadruped outside, n go Straight
on after tea and tell Fred Casey to
ONE for you" He felt thai a row
with Fred Casey would do him al 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 l trou-
BILE you for another cup of tea. please?"
you are not to 60" she said
Il am sorry to d%isplease you, but I
certainly viii CO."
He pushed his chair back from the
table, slowly filled his pipe-every ac-
ton was so familiar, she knew so well
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 first 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 clasped
on her knees, tears in her blue eyes.
Three months ago! How long II
seemed, and how miserable she had
been sincei How her attempts az hos
pital nursing had failed. How ner at
tempts to become an intellectual wo-
man and a power a fallen through
How aimless she had been, and how
entirely certain that she wal lu the
wrong, that her p%etulant temper wa
to blame, n that she still loved Tom
Godfrey with all her heart! She was
just q, alone in the world, possessing
some money and entire freedom, and
at present SIG loathed and hated that
freedom. A tear dropped on the white
apron, and she gave a little shudder of
disgust thai she should be caught
looking such a fright. She raped on
the floor for Mrs. Goffey. Bring me
my own things, please" she said, IF
they are dry; l 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. Goney brought her in a
glass of milk and a slice OF cake.
Pen slipped some of the milk and sur
reptitiously poured the rest out of the
window, the lake 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 row,"
he said. He looked a%pproyingly a. her
change of costume. She was so pretty,
and her figure was 50 dainty.
"Pen, Gear, was it a mistake? Was
there any doubt in you mind? can
things he as they were before? love
you as much as ever | did think
more; n 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. ?
Il don't know. I'm miserable, and
I'm lonely" She turned from him
and Ieant her face against the mantel-
; piece, but both her tone n attitude
were yielding. Those two lonely hours
had done more for him han The most
eloquent pleading.
/ We'll, who can look after you bet
ter than 10" He came close to her, his
heart was beating fast; the defiant
Pen was his wi again. But, dear,
there must be no mistakes, no misun-
Outstanding this time. If you take me
now, it 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 this time. Girl, l can't see YOU
turn to me- He laid a hand on her
l arm, and then with a quick impulsive
movement she swung round, turning
: her face up to his.
: "Ah, Tom" was all she said.
His arms were round her. Sweet
heart, it is good to have you ia the
dear old way. If you could only know
what the time has been like. 1t was
cruel of you, girl. it was crueli"
"And 60 you think l have been so
happy?" But her voice was indistinct,
for her face was buried on his shout
der.
Look here, Pen" He raised her
: head teneerly, and she saw how grave