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About The west shore. (Portland, Or.) 1875-1891 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 1887)
THE PHANTOM FLOWER. 799 home with her, and as they sat on the piazza, enjoying the rosy sunset clouds, mountain zephyrs, and a glorious view, he mentioned his plan of starting for the Flathead reservation. If she seem ed sorry for his departure, he would try his fate; if she was indifferent, he would go away at once the sooner the better. He could not discover her feelings thus easily, for she exclaimed at once "Going away now, Dr. Bernard I Oh, no I You must go with us to Yel lowstone park. No one should come to Montana and miss that We are getting up a party to start in about two weeks. Do say you will go, Dr. Bernard I " " I'll go," said ho, promptly. " I am astonished that I had planned any other trip." Before he left, that evening, he had agreed to join tbem the day they were to leave home. Meanwhile, he would go, as he had planned, to Flathead lake. He wrote to Dr. Raymond that evening, informing him of his intended trip, and begged him to write at once. Of the trip to Flathead lake, we have nothing to say. Dr. Bernard found it very enjoyable, especially as he fell in with another tourist, from San Francisco. He arrived in Helena the day before the Fenton party would start for the park, but did not see Miss Gertrude, as she was out when ho called to announce his return. The next morning the start was de layed long enough to get the early mail, and Paul received a letter addressed in Dr. Raymond's handwriting. He did not stop to read it, but joined the others at the rendezvous, and did not think of it until they were several miles out on the road. He occupied a seat in the carriage with Gertrude and a young lady friend, and her cousin, Archie Grayson. Another carriage held Mr. and Mrs. Fenton, a gentleman friend, Mr. Atwood, and " the children," as Grace and Harry Fenton were called. Besides the carriages, there were two heavy wagons, one carrying the tents and bedding, the other the camp stove, food and cooks. The road on which they started out was one over which they had often gone, on various little expeditions, and there was nothing new in the way of sconery to attract their attention, foi the first day, so they chatted and jolted inces santly as merry a party as over started out together. In the midst of the fun, Gortrudo suddenly remembered that an unread letter lay in her duster pocket, and drawing it out, was about to ask to bo excused while she read it, when, to their great amusement, her three companions each produced letters to bo read. Si lence followed for about five minutes, broken only by the rustle of the letters and occasional exclamations. " I have something hero that will in terest you all," said Paul, as the others, having read their letters, returned them to their pockets. " This letter is from Dr. Raymond," ho continued, " my friend who has my practice in charge this summer. I wrote him of my intended trip to tho park, and this is what he says about it" Paul turned over the first page, found the place ho wanted, and read. And 00 you ore really going to Yd lowutono park I I congratulate you. I sjwnt Borne time ati)Mnt ibt wondcru, two yearn ago, ami I can truly nay I never enjoyed no much In the name length of time. I want to ak a favor of you-ono that will greatly aid me, mml at the nanio time give mi to your trip. When I wan at the fall, in the jark, I wa one day wander ing around the grove In which wo were rami!, and Btumhled on the lovclt little k'"'1 l"K' Inahle. Of couriw, Interested a I am In tot any, every plant attract my notice, hut In thin glen I found one I had never wen kfor-In fact, I helicvo it vu not dewrihed. In my