Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1909-09-24
CHAPTER xIv.-(ContInued.)


That afternoon Maude strolled out into
Che grounds. She wandered up one of the
grassy vistas through the sea of laurels
until she arrived at a pond-a pond al
covered with great large-leaved water
lilies; and by the edge of that POND
Maude sat down, and, resting her head
On her hand, began to think. 1t was one
Of those warm sunshiny days we are occa
sonally blessed with in April. She
thought very sadly Of the life before her
OF course 1t was her duty to save Glinr
to her parents. Why was duty Away.
made SO hard In this world7 All! 1t was
cruel Of Gren to tell her he loved hel
just when they were to separate forever
M&ude slept-she dreamt; and she pic
tured to herself that she was drowning
IN some big lakei she was going down
down ever so far, and suddenly she
clasped spar Of some kind, and felt that
she was saved. Then a big brown man
with fierce red eyes threatened her and
struck at her, and just as she was about
10 let 30, the big brown man suddenly
vanished, and Granville Rose stood In
bis place, caught her by the hand, and
drew her to him. She fell into his arms
nat up, and turned over her dream In
her mind. 1t cheered her. She thought
It foretold the triumph Of Gren over
Pearman, and everything all light and
sunshine for the future.
But Sam Pearman, in the meanwhile.
loses no time in prosecuting his suit.
Difhdence Is not one of his failings, and
In such mock courtship as this there is
little fear of the result. Before a week
had gone by he was formally engaged
to Maude Denison, and the discussion of
when the wedding shall take place is pre-
eminent between the high contracting par
ues. Maude listens, and assents to every
thing In quiet, listless way. She treats
her betrothed with calm courtesy, but
avoids all occasion Of being left alone
with him. So far, Sam Pearman can
boast of receiving but scant favors from
the hands of his bride-elect. Her cheek
10 as yet innocent of his caresses, and
warm pressure of the hand the extent of
his achievements.
No news-not sign of Granville Rose
and YEARLY Maude commenced going
through all the ordeal of preparing the
trousseau. They were to be married the
urBL week In May.
But one morning groom came over
In hot haste from Mannersley with a few
lines for the squire from Sam Pearman,
10 say that his father was dead. The
son had told them a day or two before
that the old man was ailing, but had had
no Idea that there was much the matter.
Three or four days illness, then inflam-
nation set in, and old lawyer Pearman
was gone to his rest. That ancient fisher
would never angle more, and Samuel, his
non, reigned in his stead.
Put off the wedding, Nell, for a
month or two, Of course" said the squire,
y he broke the news to his wife, 10Th
lrwise it's perhaps for the best. 1 can't
,retend to feel any intense grief about
I'D Pearman, and his departure leaves
sam and Maude all free to enter upon
at once"
Mrs. Denison showed a wisdom on the |
occasion seldom evinced. She said moth |
ng, for the simple reason she had nothing |
0 say.
As for Sam Pearman, he bore his be-
pavement with tolerable composure.
Sorry for the old father" he muttered,
He was clever man, every bit of him.
lie could play with these swells, and
manage 'em in way nobody else 1 ever
Aw could. He was very good to me, too,
ways. shall never have the head he
ad If live hundred years. Lucky 1
ont want It," Then he fell into a brown
tudy. Eyes, put my marriage off a bit
-huml How lucky Coriander is entered
4 my name for the Two Thousand, and
OF his. Fancy his being disqualified, af-
lr the trial of last week |"