Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-07-18
;coffed was beating hard and fast in his

Standing in the doorway of the ball
room, on a warm summer night, he
watched her, surrounded by a group Of
admirers then, vending his way slow
Nv toward her, he saw the sudden smile
Of welcome in her eyes, as, one by one,
the other men fell back, t. make place
for him.
This is my waltz. is it not?" he said.
EYES" she answered.
"Let us take stroll on the piazza,
instead. Are you willing?"
More than willing" she replied.
" 1t is too warm for dancing"
He bad meant to speak the decisive
words to-night-to ask this girl to be
his wife. How could he doubt his an
swer? Had she not betrayed it? But,
looking down on her pure loneliness,
his purpose failed him, and stern and
harsh cane the words, instead
miss Hathaway, | must thank you
for charming summer. Had you
heard | was to leave tomorrow The
train goes at so early an hour that
feared should not see you to say good
by"
Goodby?' she questioningly fall
tered. 4" Is not this sudden deter
imitation Oh your part?'
Somewhat but retrieved honor
and restored manhood depend upon
carrying ont my resolution"
The girls face paled.
Had this man but Knocked her, after
all? Was she to he robbed of the one
sweet revenge for which she had lived
since she had first heard his voice breathe
her name-the revenge of leading him
on to the step'he had clared himself
about 10 take, then, with bitter scorn,
reveal TO him that she had known all
from tho first? Bat what meant this
sudden pain? In playing her part, had
she forgotten 1t was not reality? Was
Ter heut the penalty of his cruelty? All
her pride, ali her womanhood, came to
her rescue, as she courteously muir
INJURED her regrets. and then placed her
lite hand lightly in his, with the hope
that they might one day meet again, ere
she slipped 1t within the arl4 Of her
partner for the next dance, who had
come to claim her.
"Some richer woman has come upon
the scene" she thought, Us she at last
gladly hailed tie soil ude OF her room
May she be warned as | have been!'
Bnt even with the words came u bit
ter burst Cf sobs.
There was great hustle and excite
ment, and terrified confusion, in the
hotel next day, for the early morning
train had met with a serious accident
but few miles distant, and the wound
ed passengers were brought back.
Among them WAS Vinton Romaine.
1t was some internal injury, the ply
sicians said. They could not state the
extent just yet, but they feared for the
worst.
In the afternoon, Fred Salisbury,
coming to Miss Hathaway, told her that
VInton begged t" see her.
Without hesitation, she accompanied
him +; but at the door of his friend S
room he drew back. and closed it after
her as she entered alone.
Very white was the handsome face
which looked up with smile of wei
come rs his eyes rested on her.
"This is kind" lie said. Il had
something wanted to say to you. !
have bitter confession to make. The
doctors say there is little hope for me.
and perhaps it is as well life has sud
denly grown worthless to me, and |
have made it so. Listen, Mabel! A
month ago came to this place (oh, my
darling. how poor and miserable plot
it all seems now !! to marry you--or,
rather, to try to win you for my wife.
Not that l had seen. or known, or loved
you, but because thought would win
you and marry you and your money.
Why do you not start from me in scorn?
Imeant to be- good husband, but I saw
no reason why l should not try for the
heiress. You wonder why 1 did not ?
Because, Mabel, 1 lost sight of her in
the woman ; because, learned to love
the beautiful girl whose face haunted
my sleeping moments, and whose voice
was the music of my dreams because,
beside her noble womanheod, my pur-
pose showed forth base and contempt
ible, until knew had slain my own
happiness, since I had made myself
forever unworthy. Darling, I meant
never to tell you, but in case things
turned out for the worst with me, |
thought 1 could die happier if your lips
had told me was forgiven"
But, in answer, Mabel fell sobhing on
her knees beside the bed.
Live, Vinton-live !" she moaned.
81, TOO, have been acting all these
months. 1 was sitting in the window
next to yours on that first night, and
heard all. I determined then to have
my revenge, and tried to make You love
me. only to scorn you. But forgot
that, in teaching the lesson, 1 might
learn it. All, Vinton, though an heir
ess, have been poor all my life! Make
me rich |"
And Vinton, folding her close to his
heart, prays for the life now rendered
SO full of sweetness prayer which is
answered and when restored to health
he claims his bride, of whose fortune
he refuses penny.