Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1878-07-11
Gerald SOathWlck. Tea-Trader, China
H. H.

in delicious golden sunshine. Four peo-
pie finishing game of lawn-tennls, and
as many looking on with kind of lazy
interest. On either hand shady shrub
berries, bordered with brilliant flower
beds; at the end of the lawn a little
brook; III the distance the long sweep of
the Cotswolds.
"Flfteen," counts Captain Hall, trium-
phantly, as vicious stroke of Gerald
Sorthwick's racket drives the bail beyond
bounds. Gerald has played badly
throughout, almost in silence, with
grave face and ccmpr essed lips. It does
not matter, for his::partner, Maud Conway,
has exchanged with Captain Hall enough
merry badinage for dozen people. The
young lady is nettled now at an ignomin-
ious defeat.
Il could wish you victor in a better
contested fight, Captain Hail.
ut is my highest ambition, Miss Con-
way" There was nothing in the words,
but the meaning, tone, and a low bow
gave them point. Maud bit her lips, and
Gerald threw down the racket, his face
little sterner than before. She turned
to him, an angry glittering in the violet
eyes:
sYour play has been wretched, Mr..
Sorthwick; 1t was never worse. For the
uture we dissolve partnership.
Scan we? can we, Maud?" He speaks
meaningly now, and it seems strange her
name can come with such tender inflec-
ton from 80 hard and firm mouth.
/ Maud to my friends, sir, Miss Con-
way to you.'
He leaves her, and saunters into the
shrubbery, following a little winding
path until it reaches the brook. Then
he throws himself at full length upon the
soft moss, and thinks bitter things of the
girl who has befooled him. Half an hour
alter there is rustic among the boughs
and he sees her in the act of retreating.
II am sorry disturbed your slumbers,
Mr.. Sorthwick. 1 thought you were
gone"
"You disturb my life, Maud, waking
and sleeping. Come here.'
| He spoke with such command, she in
stinctively obeyed, but her whole soul
rose in rebellion. 1t was a novel expert
ence to the spoiled and petted beauty.
! He pointed to low, rustic seat, and
she took it. AS though to measure
strength, they look into each others faces
his pale, determined; hers passionate,
resentful. Then Gerald turns his head
away. lest resolution should fail. His
tone is low. but full of fierce, suppressed
t energy:
'You have not played with my love for
months, Maud, without learning what it
is. 1t comes between me and all other
chance of happiness
He pauses few seconds, wherein she
plucks wild-fower, and picks it to
pieces. Sweet and pensive she looks
now, and unwontedly thoughtful but
his eyes are on the distant hills.
"frcm time to time, when I would
have spoken, you silenced me, and
thought it g1rlish coyness. You made
me believe you cared, Maud"
If only he would look now, and see
how the girls mobile features answer the
sorrowtul wall in his voice! But he does
not.
II saw you flirting continually, but it
was your nature, and I did not mind, for
thought you gave me more. So you
fooled me as you fooled Others"
Fortune hunters, all of the1n," she
broke in.
Possibly" and his proud head was
thrown back little. II am free from
that imputation. Rich as you are, Miss
Conway, the Sorthwicks of Sourthwick
are richer.''
s 1t was true, as she knew we'll. Gen
eral Sorthwick, the elder, had the repu-
tation Of being the wealthiest landowner
| inf ho ho 4lo
ut is time the farce were ended, he
continued. II have been too long the will
ing slave Of your caprice. It is not fitting
the woman honor above all the world
should be on terms of free and easv in
timacy with such a man as Captain
Hail.
A contemptious curl of the lip empha-
sized the words.
Maud started as though they had stung
her; her hasty temper in arms immedi-
ately.
"By what right do you venture to
critcise my friendship, sir?"
oined, hotly," or from this day 1 will
never willingly touch your hand nor see
your face. Friendship! what is that be-
side such love as mine? Choose between
them, Maud: his friendship or my love,
I will never ask you again."
This desperate earnesmess almost
frightened her; Nevertheless she made
a hooking eurtsey.
Love may desolate and grieve you,
Love may stay awhile and leave you,
friendships truth will meier deceive YOU"
she quoted. Then he fairly turned his
back for some seconds, that she might
not see the panied working of his features.
He was pale to the very lips when at
length he did look, in silence Offering his
hand. Silently she laid her own in it.
The agony in his eyes subdued her; VIVA:
was woman's weak petulance in COM
parison with this2
'For the last time," said Gerald So1th-
wick. He bowed low over the white
fingers, and kissed them; then walked
away. She heard horses hoofs present
ly,at furious galop. =,
The lodge-keeper touched his hat as
Gerald rode up, and he saw with surprise
there were great tears on the old mans
rugged cheeks. --. ...--,
"What Is the matter Williams?D
| r"Have yeu not heard, sir2 l thought
you knew from the rate you came, and the
look of your face"
l hok -