Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1907-01-19

the second year of his residence with
them during which Mrs. Dane had been
seized with slow and lingering illness,
which must In time terminate fatally.
Thrown together in daily intercourse,
an attachment had sprung up between
the young rector and Edith Dane: con.
cealed attachment: for he considered his
circumstances barred his marriage, and
she hid her feelings as a matter of course.
He was an ambitious man, proud man.
though perhaps not quite conscious of it.
and to encounter the expenses of a fam
lily household upon small means appeared
10 him more to be Stunned than any ad
verse fate on earth. Mr.. Baumgarten
was of gentle birth, but he had not any
private fortune or near relatives; he had
in fact no connections whatever to push
him forward in the church. For all he
could see now, he might live and die at
this poor living, and he did not like the
prospect.
They soon reached Wilton Cottage.
Mr.. Baumgarten went on at once to the
little room he used as his study, but
Edith, at the sound of wheels, fingered
in the garden. The Countess of Avon's
carriage drew up, and stopped at the
gate. Miss Dane went out to It, GracI
spoke first, her eyes running In all d.
rections while she did 30, as If they wers
in search Of some object not in view.
Edith, we could not 60 home without
driving round to ask after your mamma"
Thank you, Lady Grace. Mamma Is
In little pain to-day, and her cough is
not troublesome. 1 think her breathing
is generally better in hot weather. Will
you not come inn"
Couldn't think of it, my dear" spoke
up the countess. Our dinner will be
ready; you know I have to take 1t early
Grace forgot to order James round till
we were half way home"
HAS Mr.. Baumgarten got back from
church YETI" carelessly spoke Lady Grace,
adjusting the lace of her summer mantle.
lie Is In his study, l fancy" replied
Edith, and she turned round to hide the
blush called up by the question, just as
Mr.. Baumgarten approached them. At
his appearance the blush in Grace Car
mers face rivaled that In Edith's.
You surpassed yourself to-day" cried
Lady Avon, as she shook hands with
him. II must hear that sermon again
Would you mind lending it to me?"
Not at ALL" he replied, "if you can
only make out my hieroglyphics"
when shall have 1T? Will YOU
bring 1t up this evening, and take tea
with us? But you will find the walk
long, perhaps. after your services today !:
and the weather is hot" she added.
Very long; too far. Could you NOT
return with us now, Mr.. Baumgarten -
interposed her daughter Mamma will
be glad of you to say grace at table,
Whether it pleased the countess or not,
she had no resource, in good manners.
but to second the invitation so unrere-
moniously given. Mr.. Baumgarten may
have thought he had no resource bur to
acquiesce-out of good manners also, per
haps. He stood leaning over the car
riage, and spoke, half laughing:
Am | to bring my sermon with me
If so l must go in for it. l have Just
taken it from my pocket" e.
He came back with his sermon in its
black cover. The seat of the carriage
was exceedingly large, sweeping round in
a half circle. Lady Grace drew nearer
to her mother, sitting quite back in the
middle of the seat, and Mr.. Baumgarten
took his seat beside her. Edith Dane
cast a look after them as the carria ge
rolled away, panied, envious look; for
her the sunshine of the afternoon had
goe out.
Miss Dane did not like these visits of
his to Avon House, and he seemed to be
often going there on one plea or another.
There, he was surrounded by all the glory
and pomp of stately life, and that Is apt
to tell upon mans heart; Grace Car
mel, too, was more beautiful than she.
and singularly attractive. Not that Edith
did, or could, suppose there was any
real danger; the difference in their so
cial positions barred that.
Some cloud, unexplained, and nearly
forgotten now, had overshadowed Lady
Avon's later life. 1t had occurred what
ever it was, during the lifetime of her
lord. She had chosen ever since to live
at Avon House in retirement
An inward complaint, real or fancied
had set in. and the countess thought
herself unable to move to London. Lad,
I Grace had been presented by her aunt
and passed one season in town; then she
had returned to her mother, to share per
force in her retirement, at whic,. sh,
inwardly rebelled. Over and over egair
did Grace wish her brother would marry
and come home; for the place was his
and it would oblige her mother to quit it
But Lord Avon preferred his town house
to his country one, and told his mother
she was heartily welcome to stay in it
He liked gay life better than dui
one; as all the world had known wher
he was young Viscount Standish-
1t is just possible that the ennui o.
Graces monotonous life at Avon had LEI
to her falling in love with Mr.. Baum
garten. That she had done so, that she
loved him, with strong and irrepressi
Bile passion, was certain and she did no
| try to overcome it, but rather fostero,