The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-02-04

There was a harassed look upon his
face, usually SO serenely handsome
and in his heart there was that long
ing for a confidant which sometimes
takes possession of wifeless men. Ac-
cordingly, as he neared the residence
of Hon. T. B. Paine, block nearer
town, his steps grew slower and ne
stopped.
Upon such occasions he had found
the society of Honora Paine very
soothing. Her reposeful manner, her
we'll chosen words, her even voice,
were balm to his ruffied spirits, worn
out in sympathy for others ailments,
irritated by the many vexations OF a
physicians life.
He had never honestly told him
self that he intended to marry her, but
the thought was in his mind, still un-
formed, perhaps, and as for Honora,
the matter was settled with her, and
when a thing went so far as that, it
very seldom changed.
She came forward to meet him this
evening in her slow, dignifed way,
preserving the perfect sweep OF her
gown, which in its lilac silk and
black velvet displayed her big blonde
beauty to perfection, showing as
much enthusiasm as she ever allowed
herself.
She wound up her warm welcome
by saying:
I'VE were afraid that you had for
saken us; your visits have been so
scarce of late"
Honoras cousin, Ruth Joslin, who
was politely included in the plural
pronoun, was seated reading near the
CRATE, which the chill evening of
early spring made comfortable. She
returned his salutation and went back
to her reading.
"You look tired" said Honora, an
exquisite note of concern in her
voice; 81 fear you are working too
hard and trying to carry too many bur-
dens at once"
Then, with tender interest, she be-
gan to inquire after certain of his pa
tents.
THE most urgent need l have is in
the case of Mrs Martin" said he;
they live in the next block, and are
old acquaintance of mine Mrs. Mar
tin is suffering from nervous prostra-
ton, and the invalid and three chill
dren are entirely without care. Being
strangers here, they have no neigh
bors to call upon, and 1 cannot hope
for very much success until help can
be procured"
Before Honora could frame a con-
soling reply. to this confidence, Ruth,
who had been listening earnestly,
spoke to her:
"Honora, let us send them Jane.
We can do her work for a while.
Honora turned a voice and face of
gentle reproach on her cousin.
MY dear Ruth, how unneighborly
it would seem, even if Jane could
leave her duties, which you know is
impossible. We must not forget our
duty to strangers. l will go myself
tomorrow"
Thank you, Miss Paine" said the
young man, gratefully; you will be
showing the truest kindness in going
And he mentally compared the gen.
erosity of the two girls, much to
Ruth's disadvantage.
The next morning DR.. Wilmot en-
tered the gate of the Martin resi-
dence. In the front yard the fve-year
old twin boys were holding a circus
supplying the lack of wild beasts with
their own lungs
At the door he was let in by ten
year-old Mary, who wore a genera
untidy, discouraged look The dining
room was open, showing a dusty car
pet, scattered over with GASES in the
shape of ashes, bits of coal ant
crumbs.
When he entered the sick room
there sat, by the bed, Honora Paine
in an irreproachable street gown anC
bonnet, carrying on formal CONVEX
sation.
I Honora was sweetly sympatheti,
during the call, and watched the doc
tor approvingly as he drew the cur
| Ne@AhH oAu eiANN W LutbhS MTS. MdrI1I
comfortable.
That evening he called again, hone
lessly, to be sure. He noticed that tn,
porch and walks were tidily swept
and the mornings litter absent from
the front yard.
In answer to his ring trinity at
tired figure opened the door, in whom
ne recognized Ruth Joslin.
A pinafore was drawn snugly owe
her street dress, her dark-lashed blu
eyes almost black with excitemen
and exercise, her bronze-brown hal
tossed fiufhly over her forehead. Rails
ing warning hand, she said:
Il do not think you should go II,
just yet, Dr. Wilmot; | left Mrs. Ma,
tin sleeping quietly only a short tim
ago. Tea is ready, and Mr.. Marti,
wishes to know if you will not com
into the dining room and share IT."
And she opened the door, SHOWING
instead of the cheerless, untidy roor
of the morning, cozy place. wifi
neatly set table glowing attractivel
under the yellow-shaded lamp.
Mr.. Martin, looking several year
younger than in the morning wa
I