, 1871-02-23
SD stond M ons mortified. her eve,

-
q Not ca:e for me !-not-care-for
me = She repeated the words slowly, an
awful gray palIor the while stealing across
her face, her eyes riteted on his handsome
countrnance.
Isl do not, Miss Rossitur good morn
ing" .-ad' o.
He bowed and walked on.
He had taken only dozen steps. when
there came cIutcIr On his arm that al
most made linn cry out. He turned to
see Ida again.
a. Stop moment, I am mystefed. /
may be crazy for all know. But must
have it from your own lips again, those
lips have DIRE med so often about those
lips thtt told me the only news l ever
cared to hear" -'
She spc Ike in peculiar dreamy way
then, before Grey could fame an answer,
her eyes fill, d with tears, and she laid her
hand on his arm.
1" Whitfield, my daIlihg my darling,
don't say you have ceased TO care for me!
why, don't you know l love you, 1 wOr-
ship you :"
Hewou'd have been less than human
had no: lis heart throbbed at her confeS-
Sion, hui he smiled eeldly. -
Two years ago, Miss Rossitur, l
sued forth 1t love; you cast it off. To-
day you offer il Least it off. Repem-
ber;nc as / do thu shame. the bitter agony
of that night, can never fprSet it nor for
give it." .ea sar.. s.-
She SEEMED not to besr,the last words.
y, '' You cast me of--ynu cast me off y
"That is rather a harsh term, Miss
Rossitur. did not say so. Please be
so good as to excuse me-"
mo, no Once murr7 Winfield, for
give me, oil, do forgive. will you not !? /
can't Eve without your love, Winfield -
She claspe her hands pleadiugly, and
r sted them on his. arm. A moment hP
gazed into her beautiful, stormy face
then. wi h a calm, almost sCornful tuIn OF
the lip, spoke. - T
"Will forgive you How dare you
ask it, Ida Rossitur Never, so help me
Heaven ~
1t was an awful blow to the proud
woman, whose sin was loving too well +!
and as WinGrld Grey enlightened the dis
lance between them, a look of most pitt
FIJI agony convulsed her features
Gradually his receding figure grew
smaller and smaller, nd as he turned an
angle that bid him, th4re swept over her
form perfect gust of emotion. a s
pnutterable despair was written on
every lineament, aud in the wo ds she
moaucd. lul kcd lifetime of grief. Cast
off,
the cary june sunshine came il
golden quiver ali over the delicate pink
and white velvet carpet that covered the
floor of Marian Thorne's dre>sing-room,
aad while with light fingers it touched the
rare s 'atusry, the costly toilette ornaments,
itlingered longest, and most lovingly, on
the slight, graceful figure that stood be-
fore the dressing mirror.
Sha wes a golden haired girl, this
dainty Marian Tborne, with eyes the very
shade of purple Violets; shadowy. serene
eyes, that seemed ever looking out into
some misty, uncertain cloud-land.
Now, she was booking at h, rself, ar
rayed in costly lobe of creamy white
satin, whore fell cloud on cloud Of shim-
meriug lace where cleaned pure pctrls.
and soft, wit7 kids. ,,... ..--
g What, Marian! surely. you are not
growing vail nough to try on your we'd
ding dress to note the IF, C -
Marian laughed as the Young girl held
up htr hands in amazement.
Do you consider this vanity: If you
do, I mu I plead guilty. l wondered how
l would lock as Il b,ide, so l put on The
robes"
As il yor colIdp't have waited for to-
morrow noon. Well, 1 guess Mr.. Grey
viii think you're an angel just foated
down. Oh, Marian, chcre, you are fault-
less-perfect.
Marian smiled and turned again to the
beautiful reflection.
81 think my dress is very becoming,
and l am pleased for Winfeld's sake.
And yet, with all the rapid preparations
progressing, you can't tell the gloom that
comes over my spirit at times-as if some
hidden vial or wrath was about to be
poured upon me-
: Marian's eyes were gazing away, away
off, as if seeking 10 west the secrets from
her future. Hts a".,t
Oracle Rose gave a little scream. I
"0h, you superstitiOus girl yOr-and
yet, Marian, l have heard it was bad