Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1908-04-15

IuiF NMifeu anu htnlfttC, Aut huu glow
cred at Miss Hildegnrde Farney. while
the latter put up a small sunbrowned
hand to hide a yawn.
The night before she had driven ten
miles across country TO the little town
OF Brantly. where she had witnessed
q performance Of strolilng players as
spiritedly rs poor scenery and cos
tunes would allow, and she had been
Idly dllating TO Aldrich on the actors
Of the piece, the too bombastic TRACE
dian. the amusingiy Ingenious come
dian aud the little soubrette who look
cd like a piece OF Dresden china. Al
drIch listened with a frown.
II don't care II your aunt did chap
eron you" he burst out. what I OBJ
Ject TO Is the fact that you went with
Percy Graham at all. Every one
knows he's 4 cad"
Bobby
what right has he TO come down
here aud butt In like thiaG IL just
shows what an internal bounder be
isF'
He's only been here three days"
murmuFed Miss Farney.
"Yet he's managed to mOnopoliZe
most OF them See here. Hlldegarde.
do you think you're playing the game
Square7"
"squareg"
Before be came you'd almost prom.
Used to marry me-"
Almost, but not quite"
"0h, Hildegarde," Aldrich groaned.
"We've had such jolly times together
all summer. and now He ground
his heel against the porch rail-. Hang
me II can see his attractions. He's
~ stupid as an owl and as insignia
cant as
"RobertF'
when HIldegrade Farney spoke in
that tone II was time 20 stop. But the
thought that was uppermost In both
their minds. though unexpressed. was
the fact that Percy Graham was the
owner OF three millions. In these days
OF large fortunes II was not an astound-
Ing sum. yet TO Aldrich II doomed large
a. mountain. He knew that Hide
gaFde was what be phrased straight
stun and that this latest caprice OF
hers might not last the week out
Stlll, az even the faIntest possibility
Of losing her gave his heart a terrific
wrench, ana since Hildegarde's aunt,
Miss Norris. looked on Percy Graham
with an eye Of worldly wisdom as well
a. critical appralsement, It behooved
young Aldrlch to see 10 bis laurels. aud
he knew II.
Percy Graham had money and an
abnormal supply Of cheek. AldFich had
brains and pluck and an income from
bis growing law practice OF such pro-
portions that be did not hesitate TO ask
Miss FaFney 10 share It with him.
That Hildegartle should really care
for Percy Graham was an idea too pre-
poaterous 10 bo countenaneed. But
alasl There was no sure way OF fol-
lowing the labyFinths OF the feminine
mind. Aldrlch Strengthened suddenly
and looked az Hildegarde.
II waa q beast Just now" he said
quickly. what said OF Graham II
true, but It's not my business to run
him down, II you want good time,
10 ahead. only-just remember once
IN awhile what ehums we've been.
won't your And Aldrich swung him.
self over the porch rail and smiled
back &C her az he took his way to the
hotel farther down the beach where he
was spending his vacation.
As he walked he caught sight Of Per
cy Graham's automobile racing over
the smooth sand at the edge OF the
surf line. As he had turned back to
look at Hildegarie. 30 now no glanced
over his shoulder az the speeding car.
only IN this case his lips opened. not 20
amllc. but TO give vent to q volcanic
word Of one syllable.
Two afternoons later a. he went
briskly up the nasturtium bordered
path that led to Hiidegarde cottage
she hailed him from the porch where
abe and Percy Graham were sitting.
"why. Bobby" she cried, where
have you been heFmltlng this perfect
agef'
'T've just been asking Miss Farney
about you." drawled Percy Graham.
Aldrich glared at him cheerfully.
Thanks. Always glad TO have my
friends inquire. All. good afternoon.
Miss Norris" a. Hiidegarle's aunt APP
peared In the doorway, while behind
her appeared the face Of pretty Irish
servant Miss Norris looked unusually
peFtuFbed. THAT red haired boy from
the village grocery store has been
frightening Mary Ellen with absurd
tales Of baud Of gypaiea."
face was alight with interest.
"At the back Of the pine woois," fal-
tered Mary Ellen "'Tis kidnapers
they are. and Ills at night they prowL.
Thomas says"
when did they conner demanded
Hildegartie.
"-rwas this morning the terrible
creatures pitched their tents. Thorn.
as saw them"
Trust Thomas for seeing anything
a. = radius OF twenty miles" sighed
Miss Norris. "oh. HEdegarae. you're