El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-02-16
What

CHAPTER KIN.

ZANE HARDY slept late on the
morning after Ned Sanderson's re
turn to the city. When she de-
seconded the stairs at half-past eight
she found that the breakfast table had
been cleared and the dishes washed
'Oh. mother" she exclaimed apollo
geticaly Il am sorry 1 oversight Why
didn't you wake me st the usual
timer
well. ] went to your room. dearie.
and YOU looked so tired and were
sleeping so sound that ! just let you
lie" Mrs Harding said. There wasn't
any particular reason for your getting
up. Father he's had breakfast, and
he's gone off with the horse 10 tend
10 some errands. Sit down now and
I'll fetch i'm to you the breakfast I
kept on the side Of the stove for
you"
How good and gentle her mother
was, Jane reflected, as she tried to eat
the meal that the older woman in
sisted on bringing in to her. But the
girl had no appetite. All she had
gone through last night had left her
feeling physically depressed.
She went about her household duties
as usual her thoughts elsewhere. IT
would soon be mail time. When
would Ned's letter to her father
Gomez Could he have written il last
night after his late arrival in town?
N so, 10 would come out on this morn
ing's mail train. She was so uneasy
81 think she said suddenly 10
her mother, that ! will go down to
the post office for the mornings
mail
Jane Proposes to Step for Wall.
"Al right dearie," Mrs Hardy re-
piled. Just as you please But I'm
sure your fathers going by for it on
"Oh. well the walk will do me good"
the girl rejoined. But as fathers
going TOO. III leave any mail that
comes for him there in the box so that
She avoided her mothers question
ing glance. Whenever sine was with
her bestowed parent now she was
conscious Of this timid, questioning
attitude. She felt that there was
something her mother wanted to ask
her something she longed to know.
The girl herself felt unable to speak
out that which was in her own heart
me love- the fears, the suspicious.
Each woman would be better if left to
herself for a while.
At the village post office Jane
asked only for her own mail but the
clerk handed her several letters. One
was addressed TO her in Edward Sand
erson's handwriting. Another. bearing
her fathers name, was addressed in the
same hand. There was also a see ds-
mans circular for her father The
the clerk.
MY father is coming himself for
his mail" she explained, so j viii
leave these in our box"
She walked away rapidly and did
not pause until she was once more
on the wooded road leading up Col
Inns mountain. She had fancy that
she would like 10 be alone in this
beautiful spot before readingsher first
love letter.
II was only short note. The
writer had just finished a letter to
Ezra Hardy asking for his daughters
hand. n he would catch the midnight
mail he must hurry
II am so happy, my darling. that
] could write all night he said in
conclusion. In fact. ! ann so happy
that ] am afraid OF walking up and
finding 10 an a beautiful dream"
Has Moment Of CompunctiOn.
Jane Hardy smiled teuderly. For
the moment everything was FORGOTTEN
except this man and his love for
her aud hers for him She read and
reread his letter. then, putting il into
her pocket, arose to her feet. Glanc-
ing mp she saw that the sun was high
in mid-heavcn She must hurry TO
get home in time for the MONDAY
dinner.
How selfish have been" she
muttered. seized by conjunction as
she appreciated that she had been
away for two hours Poor mother
has had 70 get dinner all alone ]
should have gone right back to help
her. Ny own happiness must not
make me forget her need OF me- tt
ought TO make me love her better than
ever"
Her father would be al home by the /
time she reached the house.