The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-07-24
''You can understand my reason for COM

"You can understand my reason for COM
ing" ,.
terrupted, in her turn. 'Where would you
have gone, if not to the woman whom you
have asked to share your name?"
But that name is no longer worth shar
ing" he said, "since it is all l have TO
Offer"
'Dd you come here, Mr.. Coventry. to tell
me that everything between us was at an
end?' she asked, leaning quietly back in
her chair.
mo; came to tell you that was ruined,
and allow you to decide upon our future"
so! l won't ask ungenerous questions,
Maurice, though might; nor even inquire
what you wish me to do, or hint that per-
haps you are glad this possibility of freedom
has arrived.'
Il said l came to tell you and abide by
your decison," he replied, feeling rather
more uncomfortable than he had done in his
whole life.
Satisfied Herewith, you are certain ?''
He bowed his head.
''You will not blame me, or think harshly
of me?"
81 never SHALL" he said, and glow of
hope sprang up in his heart; ''never. 1
came prepared for your answer. You be-
lieve that women with money should mar
ny wealth. You have often said that in any
other case the man lays himself open to the
charge of mercenary motives"
LET me be just, whatever I decide" she
said, I'm your case no such suspicion could
arise, because you did not dream these losses
could come when you asked me to be your
wife,
'But there might in the worlds eyes,as our
engagement has never been acknowledged"
he suggested
81 don't care aboutthe world,' she answer
ed. "However l may decide, it will only be
with reference as to what is best for you and
me-"
"Put me out of the question:" he said. 1
would not for ten thousand worlds say word
to influence you"
'viewed in one light that's very grand,''
said she, "but doubt if it is a right senti-
ment. Well, then,I am to decid."
''Yes," he answered; and as she glanced at
the account-book he felt certain of her an
swer.
81 might do the romantic, but it's not in
my line," continued Miss Hardy. cpl
neither talk about my heart or wronging the
affection which Eve right to suppose you
feel for me. can give you my decision in
very few words: shall not cancel our en-
gagement.'
He was so stunned by the announcement
that he could not even gasp-could not turn
his weary eyes from her face.
"Money Is very WE'LL" she went on, ''but
woman's honor is worth more. Pm not mean
or liar. Maurice"
For the first time he realized how con-
temptlbly he had behaved; it was the first
time he had ever been guilty of vile action,
and he felt that he was forever degraded in
his own esteem. u
'sWell," she said, after pause, shave 70
nothing to say-not word ?"
"I-I-lt is very generous on your part.'
''Nonsense! Why, look here, Maurice, if
you had come and told me you had made
have called yon an honorable fellow, shaken
hands, and sent you off to find the woman
you could love. But you come in trouble,
and dare to think 1 would behave vilely
Maurice, Maurice, may not have titled blood
in my veins, but Pm woman.
If the floor would open and let him
through, if an earthquake would shake the
house and bury him under its fall, if any
thing impossible and fatal would chance to put
an end to the horrible position in which he
had placed himself!
He got out of his chair some way, with a
vague purpose of running off and hiding him
self.
Where are you going?" she asked. 'Sit
sti''
while.'
Ou lOOh llhc d SuOSGs nave YOU uOLuluS
more to say?"
"Only to thank you; toto wish were
more worthy this sacrafice on your part; to
to advise you as friend to consider WE'LL
Don't stammer any MORE" she interrupt
ed. Sit down there. Oh, Maurice. Maurice
I'm ashamed of you! See here, I am crying
little. don't often do that. Do you know
why? Over your being SO blind, so weak, so
unworthy your better selfp'
"Miss Hardyv'
''Stop this instant! o, Maurice, Maurice!
why didn't you tell me the truth? l thought
you would. I've waited for it. But to trust
to nay being misery and mean; to come with
this dreadful fib-"
ssMiss Hardyp'
'If you speak 1 do believe shall box your
ears! To play off this old stage trick; so
short sighted, too. when your money, hap
pen to know, is invested where some of mine
is, and there is no loss possible. I'd rather
have my right hand cut off Oh, Mauricep'
She fairly sobbed, and Maurice literally
tore his hair in shame, but could not utter
a word.
''See here" she went on drying her eyes,
II might have loved you. I came near it,
but finding out the truth about Helen
stopped me. When you proposed to me I
knew it was from recklessness. You thought
she was about to marry. knew better, and
considered the lesson would do you good"
81 wish you'd blow my brains outr' he
groaned.
''No, but I'll help you to use them here
after. You have mind enough, but you're
eaten up with folly. Get rid of it ali now.
See, Pm not angry; there's my hand"
She sent him away at length, but first had
to comfort instead of upbraiding him. Maui
rice Coventry was a better man from the
effects of that humiliation, and six months
after Miss Hardy was the brightest faced
guest at his wedding reception, and Maurice
had been brave enough TO tell Helen the
truth.-Harper's Monthly.