American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-07-05
Velli What about Mrs Heath ~

| "Well, What about Mrs. Heaths"
| "She is good hater; that is all. Do
you agree with me?''
A rapid and bitter laugh leaves the girls
| lips. Yes She hates me because she
| believes I tried to make Archie Heath
break with her and marry me; which is a
false belief, by the way. Why does she
hate your"
He echoes her bitter laugh then
! "For good reasons. | behaved more or
less abominably to her when I was rich
and eligible Rufus Dalgrish, when she was
poor and scheming little Fanny Chiches-
teri
After that there is quite long pause.
She breaks out at last: 1--WE are quite far
from home and we must remember what
| our estimable hostess said about getting
| back in time for dinner"
Somehow their eyes meet just here, with
strong, mutual regard of each others
| faces. No matter what the search pre-
cisely tells each of them. 1t results, as
| far as Dalgrish is concerned, in some
| words something after this fashion:
Lillian Martel, you and l both started
with an idea of marrying each other for
| money. We were the merest blind pup
pets in the hands of rather clever and a
very revengeful woman. To-day we have
both been undeceived. Mrs. Heath's re-
venge is accomplished, l suppose. She
has fooled you; she has fooled me-"
Lillian Martel has averted her eyes from
his face. She just bows for answer.
For my own part" he presently re-
commences, ait seems as if worldly policy
could only dictate one course to each OF
u.s."
She shrugs her shoulders. ''Do you
mean go home to dinner?"
Eyes"
every well. Suppose we 60"
Their eyes have met again. Rufus Dial
grish thrusts forth his hand for her to take,
and now his voice quivers under the stress
of strong passion.
"Or suppose, Lillian, that before we go
we strike an agreement, you and II"
can agreement" Qaying her hand in
hisl
ayes. To make Mrs. Heath's revenge
perfect. To marry each other. l love you
as l have loved no woman before; as l
shall love no woman again. l am willing
to take you even if your hundreds year
are fifties-are tens-are nothings. Will
you take me with the same brilliant pros
pectsP"
Her reply is not in words She throws
herself upon his breast and sobs there for
a good three minutes of time. When she
at length lifts her face to his, he sees that
it is a very April of smiles and tears.
Don't you think, Rufus, that we deserve
to be called the worst match of the sea
SOM"
II haven't doubt of it, darling. don't
see how we are going to live at all except
in Cleveland, where there is some slight
chance for me-"
She laughs good, clear, hearty laugh.
"That will indeed be across the hills and
far away won't it? What are those
words?
Across the hills and far away,
Beyond their utmost purple RIM
And deep into the dying day
The happy princess followed him.
1 am the happy princess and you are
him. Goodness gracious, Rufus dearr
well, darling; what has happened?"
Your eye? It's getting awfully black"
"You don't tell me SO! l was half
afraid that it would"
She winds both arms about his neck
'What day of misfortunes this has been
for your
He almost frowns with the earnestness
of his answer, while leaving a long, pas
sionate kiss on her uplifted lips. at is a
day of blessings rather. l weigh Mrs.
Heath's hatred and my black eye against
Lillian Martel and years of hard work in
Cleveland. One is a feather; the other is
lump of gold"
After that they begin their stroll home
ward, arm in arm-Galary.