The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1910-03-08

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THERE wns NO doubt in Dorothy's
mind that she had made wise de-
elsion. That il, according TO a PEE
cuniary view Of the thing and the smil-
ing approval Of host of poor rela tions
whose proclivities for advice. hereto
fore, were In Ill proportion to the size
OF their purse.
And though inwardly rebellious, the
idea of sacrificing herself on the altar
of Mammon seemed to her as interest
ing as 1t was odd. But money could do
anythingl All the pinching little econ
omies that they had been compelled to
practice for years would vanish like
snow under . MONDAY sun, and some
sense Of independence be established.
But there Is no getting over the bitter
fact that other thoughts, and, perhaps,
other hopes, had been crushed into the
background.
IAN that IL past and gone, though"
Dorothy told herself with stanch
sense Of propriety, land I mustn't a.
low myself to think too much about It,"
She passed her hand. a little wearily.
through the brown hair that waved
back from her face, and leaned one ell
bow meditatively on the window sill.
thinking of the future she had laid out
for herself, and living over, In hum
dred ways, the past.
Then she thought Of Harry. and look
ing gloomily for an instant at the dia-
mond that sparkled on her finger. drew
It on. slowly. and with a sigh laid it on
her lap. No, It had not been an en-
gagement. exActly-but-
There was all the difference in the
world now. Had he not, only the night
before, after all that had passed be-
tween them. entirely ignored her and
carried Adelaide Hunt. bright, DASH
ing brunette, to the SWEETEST HOP OF the
season, while she remained at home ?
That was ALL But 1t was enough. So
shat when Col. Eggerton. a. usual,
called around, and, as usual. proposed.
she promised, in desperation, final an
swer on the morrow.
So that answer-0f acceptance-wAs
written and signed with q scrawl. and
laid on the library table to be posted
In one day everything had been
changed. 1t did not seem possible, yet
~ she sat By the low vine-screened win
dow, . soft wind laxily lifting the loose
hair on her forehead. each event rose
mp In lurid distiuctness before her
mind.
Then brilliant red famed over the
girls face. and faded OF suddenly, a. =
tall, athletic young man came quickly
mp the walk. A. Harry cambridge
stepped on the low teranda. she left her
sent by the window. and gave him her
hand with friendliness that ill-be-
tokened any inward agitation.
The shining regard that broke over
his face at sight Of her, brought the
soft color to her cheeks. She smiled-a
little uneasily-and drew her hand out
OF his.
"WilI you ait out here 2" she said ut
f. cool, and pleasant"
He bowed smiling assent and sank
into the empty chair next to hers.
"ion did not expect me?" he
queried, studying the girls face critic
ally. She was pretty-very pretty. A
tall. slim girl, with regular features.
and expressive gray eyes.
II knew you were here, and l came, %
ne went on. May l tell you why9 l
want to ask you-to tell you how much
] love you, and to ask you to marry me,
II you will"
Dorothy fiushed aud turned away, Z
sort OF desolation sweeping over her at
his words.
II would rather you would not-not
say such things" she returned, nery-
ously, moving away from him
"But must" he continued, half
smiling and trying to look into her face.
1T 10 my first opportunity to ask you.
did not feel that had right to be-
fore. But now. am in fair position
to-
He paused for one moment to glance
At her face. now turned to him, half
frightened. and with an earnestness al.
most pathetic.
"fou must not. you must not. in.
deed" she choked back a little dry sob
lit has all been = mistake wretched
mistake" she went on brokenly, hes
face pale with suppressed feeling.
She was staring past him. vacantly
At the wide green garden. now bril-.
Liant with thousand perfumed bios.
soma, while, with hands cold and trem.
bling. she took the ring from her lag
and reaching toward him suddenly laid
the glistening thing ON his knee.
He looked at her in daxed sort OF
way. the happy light dying out of hi,
face a. his fingers closed mechanically
over the trinket.
why Dorothy-what's the matter,
Won't you keep it?"
A look of keen disappointment
crossed his features as he looked at her
II would rather not" she returned
her voice tremulous in spite OF herself
'You see"-twisting the end Of hel
SASH am going to marry some on,
else, and"
Dorothy"
He had risen and was leaning
against the banister rail. where h,
could look her directly in the face. ant
where she, too, could see him. He hae
grown very pale, and with deepe1