Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1909-12-18
CHAPTER YI.-(Continued.D


followed his directions to the porch
enclosed with glass. and found Miss Ora
ham sitting there with an elderly woman
who proved to be her aunt, Miss Corey.
She presented me, and the elder lady
after making a few comments on the
awful night, withdrew. Still standing,
put my hand into my inner pocket and
drew forth the box with the locket.
When l went back to the Ship this
afternoon I found you had dropped the
locket from your chain. Permit me to re-
turn It."
"Oh !" she said How good Of you to
bring fl l discovered II was gone and
wns afraid might not be able to find II
after the storm. Thank you 30 much
Mr.. Selden."
felt singularly cold and naughty, and
seemed to detect a certain reserve also
In her manner. The air OF tho Penguin
Club was not conducive to informality
had intended to call her attention to
the fact that the locket was open when
came upon 1t, but could not bring my
self to do no In the face of the chill that
seemed to have settled down upon us.
Wont you sit down and talk to me7'
she said. but shook my head.
II must be getting back. The storm Il
getting worse every minute. The wood
road will soon be a swollen river"
There came growl Of thunder and q
fash Of livid lightning. Miss Graham
scarcely moved muscle. II low
storms" she said. "but l don't blamc YOU
for wanting TO get home as soon as you
oan. You must be soaked even In thos,
clothes"
I looked at my rough attire, and Their
at the dainty white evening gown she
wore. and laughed little sharply at tn,
contrast.
TITS lucky / don't often como to ths
club" said. "They would probably
warn me from the premises ms a scare
crow Of III omen"
Rodney Islip came on to the porch, II
evening dress, as though to emphasize MI
swn incongruities.
"Will you dance, Barbara" he said
'-They're playing one of your favorit'
waltzes." Then he discovered me. "Hel
10, old chap" said he. "How the deuc,
came you here7 You don't mean to tel
me you rode through the thick Of thil
storm7"
Petty resentment got the better OF me
l barely noticed him, and bowed to tn,
girl.
Don't let me keep you. Miss Graham
Ny mission Is over. Good night"
She held out her hand | barely touch
Cd II. was at the door when Rodney
spoke. 81 say, old man, have you seer
the evening papersf Terrible times II
France, more trouble on the market; LEI
me get you the news" He was so full o.
the stock exchange himself that HI
thought we must all be Interested.
mo. l thank you" | answered, blunt
ly, and went out, scorning myself for my
rudeness to this chap whose only faul
lay in the fact that Miss Graham caret
80 much about him. l was to be still
more scornful Of this rudeness to him II
the days to come.
l stood In the shadow while they
passed me, then I stole back TO tn,
glass-covered porch and looked In for {
moment at the dancing. watched IsllI
lead Miss Graham on to the floor ant
float away with her, and I caught sigh
of the locket hanging on Its chain abou
her throat She looked very fnir In hel
white gown, with her neck bare, and IsllI
looked very happy as he danced with her
! looked again at my own rough, un
couth garm. This was no place for me
Suddenly ! hated the Penguin Club anC
all II contained. all its civilization, all III
clothes and dances l would be of to m,
little hut In the dunes, with no one bu
Charles by. and he my very humble ser
want.
Nero was ready, and l swung myself
up and plunged off again into the night
Flashes of lightning showed me the dept
of the water In the woods. | plougheS
my way homeward, caring nothing wha
happened, riding as though a legion o
devils pursued.
paid no attention to Charles fire anC
the hot grog that he had ready. nun,
off my sodden clothes and went to bed
finding my one satisfaction In the crash
ing guns Of the thunder that seemed Z,
lombard Alastair from the sky. II wa
certainly the night for any mysteriou
deed, remember thinking as fell asleep