Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1880-09-22
WHOLE NO 1886

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you, that was all, she said, lneekly.
He looked at the diaress and NOR.
tdcation written In her pure, soft
eyes and said
If you viii allow me TO change my
mind | will do 80, and avail myself OF
your kind thought, But | viii no:
have the note,
Smiling Ia restored ,antenlment Of
spirits she put - purse Into hrs
hands lie took 1t, and glanced at
lts manifold contents, There were
seme silver pieces, beautiful store OF
golden soverigns, some memoranda,
dainty little pencil case, her railway
ticket and some cards. Ile touched
all delicately, with q gentle reverence.
4 will take this he said, pocketing
the bank note, it It will NOT inconyen-
ience YOU
%! no, | have enough for my
wants.
A silence fell upon them, Although
he had practically finished with it,
Trevor did not return Miss Holmes
her purse, but retained II within his
fingers, which fell and clasped the
leather almost caressingly. The girl
was beginning to have great charr'
for him; he wondered over bis own
sensations, failing to analyze them.
Presently he spoke again, but very
softly became his words.
Il do not know to whom am in.
debted.
4. is not OF any consequence. is it,
asked she in return, shrinking, she
hardly knew why, from revealing her
identity.
You do not want to tell me your
nome?' was the rejoinder, with a
smile. She looked up, startled at
hearing her secret thought translated
into speech. Then do not. Yet
must send you the money
Miss Holmes knitted her fair brow
over this puzzle; sho could scarcely
understand her own reluctance to dis
close her name and yet she was clear
iu her own mipd Of intending most
decidedly to keep it a mystery If pos
sible.
He, meanwhile, worked out the
problem.
You are going to London that l
saw by your ticket; but without that
| should have inferred it from your
starting on your journey so carly in
the morning. will send you the
amount under cover Of initials-A. B.,
say-to Charing Cross post-ofilce, if
you will call or send tor it.
YES. thank YOU
That is settled then And with
that he began TO talk to her Of other
things. With her intelligent conver-
satiou, and her lovely face raised in
confding simplicity to. his eager re-
gard, the time flew by, and the station
was soon reached where he had to get
out. When porter had conveyed
away his belongings, and the moment
had come that he himself must de-
scend, Trevor took possession Of Ma
rion's small hand.
'We shall meet again; l feel that
we SHALL he said, his eyes, the while.
bent upon her, telling palmer tale OF
emotion.
Marion tremblcd, and did not speak
at all, and the white lids were dropped
over her soft eyes, 80 that he could
read nothing there.
1t was midnight; but the assembly
rooms OF Hightown were blazing
with light, and from the open WIN
dows came the sound of music, for .
ball was being held there that night.
The fact alone was sca:cely note
worthy, but this particular ball was
being distinguished by tragic c,rcum-
stance. .,s
The large hall where the dancing
proceeded, was decorated with tes-
toons of evergreens, and from these
hung at intervals small colored lamps.
The effect was pretty; but, when the
crowd was thickest and revelry and
gayety at their height, one of these :
pendulous stars broke loose aud fell :
fell upon the skirt Of lady, and the
gauzy fabric, OF which her dress was
composed, ignited instantly. The
next moment the unfortunate creature
was enveloped in flames. ,a.
A rush and confusion ensued
Cries of alarm or curiosity arose on
all sides, while kadvice, mostly OF re-:
markable character, was freely ten