But I never would of done it had I of known the state of Mr. Garrett’s feelings toward me. Before, he had kept himself well in hand and though he had looked at me two or three times when he thought I was not observing him, he had always treated me just like I was only one of the party who it was his duty to be polite to. But when I got up beside him his face turned pale at first and then got as red as fire and I was glad none of the rest of the party could see it.
“Mr. Garrett,” I said, “I am awfully sorry.”
“That’s all right, Miss Emerson,” he replied bravely. “I guess I can live through it.”
Poor fellow, he blushed all the more when he saw that his face had betrayed his secret.
“But it is not all right, Mr. Garrett,” I said, “and I wish I could do something for you, but I fear it is hopeless.”
“Is there someone else?” he asked, his voice shaking.
“Yes,” I replied softly.
I could of killed myself then for the mischievous spirit that had made me take the front seat. I had no heart to appreciate the beauties of our drive along the Yellowstone River, though Mr. Garrett showed perfectly fine self control and pointed out all the points of interest, never once eluding to the pain I had caused him.
The coach stopped for a few minutes at the Upper Falls so we could get out and view it. It is perfectly wonderful and different than anything I have ever seen, and I wish I had of been more in the mood to enjoy it. I had a mind to get in the back seat for the balance of the trip to the hotel, but I heard Mr. Garrett say it was only a few minutes drive; and besides it was too late to undo the harm I had done.
At noon we reached the Canyon Hotel, which is certainly beautiful. Kate and myself immediately went to our room and got ready for lunch, Mr. Garrett said that right after lunch we would all take a walk down to Inspiration Point, where we could get a fine view of the Lower Falls, but Kate said she did not feel like walking and went to our room right after lunch. I followed her in there to see if she was sick or something, but she said she was all right, only tired.
“Kate,” I said, “I am afraid you are not having a good time.”
“Don’t worry about me, girlie,” was her reply.
“Listen, Kate,” I said; “I am ashamed of myself for what I did this morning, making you ride back there alone with Mr. Coles. I just did it to tease him. I know you must of both felt uncomfortable. I never would of done it had I guessed the state of Mr. Garrett’s feelings toward me.”
“What is he sore at you about?” she asked.
“You misunderstand me, Kate,” I said. “I only wish he was sore, as you call it. I am afraid he is growing too fond of me.”
I could see that she was not expecting this, as her face got red, and it is usually no color at all.
“Did he tell you so?” she asked.
“Yes,” was my reply.
“When?” she asked.
“This morning,” was my reply, “when I was sitting in the front seat with him.”
“Well, all I can say is that he has got his nerve,” said Kate.
“We must not be too hard on him, Kate,” I said. “Nobody can help their feelings.”
“What did you tell him?” she asked.
“I was as gentle with him as possible,” was my reply. “But I thought it kindest to tell him the truth. I told him there was somebody else.”
“Who is it?” asked Kate. “You have been holding out on me. Is it Bruce or Don?”
“Oh, Kate, I could never care for either one of those poor boys,” I said. “They are all right, I suppose, but there is no class to them.”
“Well, then, who is it?” she asked.
“Kate,” was my reply, “I guess I can trust you to keep a secret. I am not exactly engaged, but there is an understanding between a certain person and I. Cannot you guess who it is?”
“I certainly cannot,” was her reply.
“Kate,” I said, “it is Mr. Coles.”
Poor girl, this came as such a surprise to her that I thought she was going to faint, though I should think she could of seen that Mr. Coles and myself were more than merely interested in each other. From her looks when I told her the news I believe Kate was actually jealous. She hated to think of anyone, even a man, taking her place in my affections.
“Poor old Kate,” I said, “I know this is hard on you. But you will be my maid of honor and we will do our best to make you look pretty.”
There was a knock at our door and a boy called to us that Mr. Garrett was waiting to take us down and see the Falls.
“Come on, Kate,” I said. “The walk will do you good.”
But she had thrown herself on the bed, and I could see that the poor girl was worn out as well as almost sick over what I had told her. So I left her and went out to join the others on the porch. Mr. Coles was not with them. Mr. Lester said he had gone to his room with a sick headache. This took all the pleasure out of the walk for me, and I would gladly of stayed in the hotel and tried to comfort Kate, but I thought it would look funny. So I went with the party to Inspiration Point, and I was glad afterward that I had, for the Great Falls is perfectly wonderful and different than anything I have ever seen, and I would not of
