Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1912-10-29


that it would be found to have been
well invested somewhere, and that
when located any judge or jury would
give 1t to the widow and daughter. He
left her almost happy, clinging to
his hand and begging him to come
again.
This was in May, when the grass
was greening on the slopes and the
outdoor world began to be gay. Riv-
ers relented towards poor Jeff, the
loVelorn, and made himself useful es-
corting Miss Wiley Miss Wentworth
smiled on JEFF. And as for Mamie
Wiley, Rivers soon began telling him
self that If a man wished to marry,
she was the woman to choose. She
had health. dignity, beauty, social po-
sition, even a small fortune. Rivers
wanted to be in love with her. Finally
he made himself think that he was in
love with her. She frankly preferred
him to an extent that discouraged 9TH
er suitors. One day walking with her
on the street they met Annie Nor
row in her little blue gown and sim
pie hat Rivers lifted his hat with
an unconscious homage which Mamie
Wiley instantly observed.
Who is that pale little thing? Rath-
er pretty, though"
His very thought protected her from
another woman's comment. Rather
pretty! Why, she was lovely He
had a moments panied wonder why
Annie, during all his visits to her
mother, held herself SO aloof. She
would give him cup Of tea, join cour-
teously In the conversation, but she
was his client. nothing more. She
worked silently, courageously. And
he more and more devoted himself to
the failing invalid.
One balmy evening late In May he
was dressing to go out with Miss
Wiley, JEFF and Rose Wentworth, when
Annie 'phoned him. Her mother was
failing rapidly and wished to see him.
Instantly he called up Annie Wiley,
telling her that important work for a
client had just come in, that keep
ing his engagement was impossible,
that he would come out in the morn
ing to be forgiven for having to deny
himself pleasure. She excused him
prettily enough, but laughed over the
phone
It's quite all right. Is 1t your pref
ty girl client?" He simply answered
that the matter could not be post
poned. Then he took the first car to
the Morrow's.
The doctor and neighbors were
there, and Annie met him at the door,
appealing to him to exaggerate, do
something to make her mother think
the money would be found. This he
did manfully. promising to be the
girls guardian, and see that all went
we'll with her.
The end came suddenly. Annie was
dry-eyed and white, with no word for
anyone. He helped her through the
funeral, but that over she went back
to her work. refusing help from him
further. She was going to keep the
rooms to the months end.
After that Rivers worried about her
|
preoccupied that Mamie Wiley pro-
fessed herself not greatly amused by
his society. What troubled him was
that Annie held to her queer, cool, i'm
personal attitude to him, as though
he were an enemy, and not her guard
ian. He could not, moreover, bear to
have her clerking In a store, growing
paler and thinner. Together they had
again searched all her fathers effects,
and in vain as before.
One Saturday night, ON an impulse,
Rivers went out and found Annie
packing desperately. Her cheeks
were flushed feverishly, and her eyes
big and bright He demanded expla-
nations, standing over her.
I'm going back to Alta, where we
used to live. | can't stand this life.
| may be "a coward. 1t may be wick
ed. but--lm going" She could not
finish, but he suddenly knew that she
was telling him she was to be mar.
ried. A wave Of pain swept over
him, and then he knew his heart.
DO you love him?" he asked alb
ruptly," taking her hands.
Il have known him all my life-you
have no right"
II have. l love you. You shall not
go unless you tell me truthfully that
you do not love me! You must be
wild to think Of marrying anyone else!
You do love me, don't you? don't
your? Still she drew away from him
but tears rolled down her cheeks
helplessly. He had both her hands.
Therefore he dried the tears with
his handkerchief, and when her eyes
smiled at him, he held her close q
moment and kissed her soft hair. I'm.
consciously he stepped back and
knocked a pile Of old books to the
floor with a crash A big dictionary
fell open. He stopped to pick 1t up
and crisp yellow bill fluttered from
the leaves. Then he shook out 9th.
ers. and turned to take the girl again
| IN HIS arms