Page:The Diothas, or, A far look ahead (IA diothasorfarlook01macn).pdf/340



most of the events of the following forenoon I have but an indistinct recollection. In company with Olay, I made several calls in Falo, during which I might have made some interesting observations, had my mind not been so pre-occupied. Ialma and her party were at the home of her uncle, situated, as I was informed, on some part of what is now called Grand Island.

We were not to present ourselves there before the middle of the afternoon. Notwithstanding our various occupations, the hours seemed to me to pass with exasperating slowness. As for Olay, I was amazed at his calm. After a year's absence, within a short half-hour's journey of his bride, by not a word or look did he betray impatience at the barriers that custom placed in the way of their immediate meeting.

I well knew, however, that his was not the calm of indifference. During our brief intercourse in Salu, I had found occasion to speak of Ialma. In spite of his habitual self-control, Olay could not conceal the pleasure caused him by my frankly expressed, almost enthusiastic admiration of the warm-hearted girl, so beautiful, yet even