Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-06-24
plain himself, and relieve me or an o.,

suit. Quite polite"
And thus the girl went on, sneerinc
at every sentence all the way through.
She would not at first allow herself
to think but that Mr.. Mason had other
than base motives in declaring his pas.
sion for her.
The boy stood waiting patiently for
Some minutes, tllnging stones, stand
generally.
But, as he received no message to
carry back and still waited, after
yam attempt to balance himself on one
hand, head downward. he disgustedlv
approached the lady to whom he had
been sent.
:" 'Skusc me, ma am" he said, with
broad grin, "but have you any word
for me.tO take back
Nellie Remington started from her
revere, and replied, slowly, as if in q
"Yes-tell Mr.. Mason" She stop-
ped abruptly, and then added, 81 will
write my. answer on the back of his
The answer she sent read strangely
enough, will meet you at your Office
alone, IN an hours time"
She had resolved upon it quick as
lash. Her brain whirled as the mad
thought arrayed itself before her, but
she determined now to be calm and see
the issue.
The hands pointed to the hour as she
once more entered the office of Mason
& Son.
"You have come" said the ;unior
did not ask you to come to me. I
wished tn az
and save any unnecessary talk"
II am not at all alarmed, sir" re-
Piled Nellie, with austerity. ST am
capable of protecting myself from
SANDER, as feel no harm from those
who are always more busy with some
| ones else affairs than their own, Such
persons are no more to be needed than
the scoundrelS who insult the unpro.
tected."
"Pshaw..' exclaimed Mr.. Mason.
That is fling at me. But your
acerbity is wasted, I assure YOU. 1
never insult any one in or out of nv
employ, and do not propose to COM
mence now. And, were [ such q per.
son as you think me, l could, even
then, forego playing boor before lady
OF breeding, who had met with ill for
tune"
His manner was indeed courteous
and gentlemanly.
He seemed more subdued, and alto
gether different from the hot-headed
man who had, the day before, SO madly
declared his love for his employe.
But, could Nellie Remington have
seen the eyes which he kept turned
away from her ,she would have noticed
2 wild, almost fierce light, beaming
from them. Mr.. Mason Of to-day was
different man from the M. Mason
who had first appeared.
slowly toward Nellie, who stood near
q window. looking out upon the bleak
winter scene.
"It is not an inviting aspect, is itp"
he said. "What if the barrenness YOU
see before you were but the shadow of
the desolation reigning over the heart
cheer into life?"
Nellie did not turn her head although
he was just beside her.
II am unable to answer that ques-
ton, Mr.. Mason," she said, affecting
unconcern.
"Why?"
Because do not comprehend you.
meaning"
'.What, is it possible that after what
took place last night, you are unable
to catch the drift Of my query?'
Yes, it is just possible that 1 am
Mr.. Mason moved q step forward,
paused, and, then, with trembling
hand, drew chair toward his lady
visitor.
"Pray be seated" he said.
SeThank vn,, I npafA, %
piled Nellie, still with her gaze fixed
upon the scene without. "How long
am I to be kept heres What have you
to say?"
Her GOODNESS seemed to sting him at
last, for he sprang forward and seized
her by the hand.
"ssy J" he cried, "what have I to
say. You know-you know. l love
you, Nellie Ruthven-I love you
madly That is what have to say.
A fire has been kindled in my heart
that will destroy me, body and soul,
unless you grant my wish. I am q
spoiled only son, Nellie, and have al
ways had my own way. 1 must have
my own way now, or-or you may have
the death Of a human being to answer
for"
Nellie drew her hand away, but
not so angrily as on the previous night.
"This is madness !" she exclaimed,
moving away.
/ for which there is but one cure"
"And that is forgetfulness. Forget
me-"
| "Never, before Heaven swear it
never! Twill know no rest till you
are my bride, and 90 where you may, 1
shall follow you. Will you be my
Nellie Remington's mind was in .
whirl.
! What benefit to her own dear ones
such q marriage would bring. The
wealthy Mr.. Mason, of whom she had
heard so much, her husband. Then
she could buy back, perhaps, her IA
Tiers cherished property.
What if she did not love this mant
Women frequently marry without
love. Why should she hesitate to do
the same? Had she need to consult
any one save herself, when she might
be of such service to others?
No, she thought the matter over
rapidly and concluded to consult no
one, but decided for herself.
: "Will you be my wifep" again de.
manded Mr.. Mason impatiently.
3 "Iwill," answered Nellie, quietly,
with bent head, and it seemed as if her
breath almost ceased IS she gave this
reply.
tiny darling!" cried the infatuated
man, again seizing her hand and press
ing it to his lips.
mo, no, not that !" murmured Nell
lie, in . strained voice. "Allow me to
60 now"
Zone monochrome moment I" said
the happy bridegroom elect. 81 have
something further to say"
He kissed her flushed cheeks once,
twice, thrice, as he spoke.
"What is the meaning of this out
rsgeous act, sir?" demanded voice at
his side and he was sent reeling against
the wall by powerful blow.
Mr.. Richard Martin had entered the
Office, unperceived, at the moment Mr..
Mason kissed his promised bride.
His face was white and his voice
husky, and he would have followed
his first blow by another, but Nellie