Wallowa County chieftain. [volume] (Enterprise, Or.) 1909-1911, 1909-05-27
CHAPTER VIII.

Seldom did eye rest on a prettier pic
ture than was made by bonnie Maude
Denison this early April morning. The
close-fitting French grey merino dress,
with the plain linen collar and cuffs, set
off her beautifully nodded figure to per-
fection, while the cerise neck ribbon Just
relieves and gives warmth to her some
what neutral-tinted robe. Moreover, that
she had just returned from a successful
raid on the conservatory, snow-white
camellia and its blood-red sister coduet-
tishly twisted in her glossy brown hair
sufficiently attested-those crown Jewels
of the floral world looking more in place
now than when adorning their parent
stems.
Good morning, sweet mother mine"
cried Maude, as Mrs. Denison entered
the breakfast room. "Only look at the
Tlunder I've brought you. l found old
Judkins' flowers unguarded this morning,
and gathered and plucked. Isn't that a
bouquet mamma, TO greet you in April?"
"Yes, love-glorious. No need to tell
me Judkins was away, or never would
his pets have been despoiled in this wise"
NO, cross old thing He thinks flow
ers were made only to look at on their
STEMS and not to wear or decorate
rooms"
The entrance of Harold Denison here
checked conversation. He nodded care
less Good morning" to his daughter, and
then plunged moodily into his correspond
ence. He found nothing there, appar-
emily, to raise his spirits. At length,
thrusting his letters into his pockets, he
rose.
"Well," he said, "things look blacker
and blacker. It's no use struggling; the
sooner my scheme is tried, the better. Do
what you promised yesterday. Delay is
useless"
But, Harold" pleaded his wife
as the ever-ready tears rose to her eyes.
Don't be foolish. It's our only chance.
Understand" he said, crossing over to his
wife's chair, and lowering his voice SO
that his daughter could not catch his
words-'just put it before her in a COM
mon sense way this morning. How can
you tell she will object She can do as
she likes about it. l have no wish to
coerce her in any way; but, mind tell her
the whole truth. 1t is only fair the pro-
posal should be laid before her. I'll come
up to your room after luncheon, and Won
can tell me how she takes it :" and, turn.
ing on his heel, Harold Denison left the
room.
| Whats the matter, my mother" said
Maude, as she stole to Mrs. Denison,s
side and passing her arms round her
neck, laid her fair, fresh young cheel
against the pale, worn, troubled face
More of these dreadful money miseries
suppose; but don't look so fearful over
II. Papa looks so gloomy, and you 20
sad, it's enough to frighten poor me. Even
IL he has lost some more money. I snn.
pose we shall always have enough To
i've upon; and if you and I, mother, can't
tsye new dresses for everso long. that's
nothing to be very sad about"
/ am afraid Maude Denison Is displav.
Ing an ignorance of the world, and a dis
regard to the yanities and gewgaws there
Of that may seem a little high-strained
but recollect that she Is but eighteen
that the Xmbinster was her first ball. and
that, owing to her fathers pride and
straitened circumstances, she has lived a
very secluded life
Few were the strangers that came with.
In the gates Of Glinn of late years. Har-
"ld Denison scorned TO entertain unless
he could do so with all the old Iayish