The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1881-02-10
TIT FOR TAT.

field Of grain and stealing slowly down
the rocky hillsides-
She was a facinating woman. Her
face was beautiful beyond description,
and her voice had q subtle power, a ca
ressipg undertone that sent . thrill
through every fiber Of her companions
being. r.4- .f.
She and her widowed mother were
stayinp Mt a spacious farmhouse In
lovely Connecticut valley. She had
come there 10 recuperate from her social
designations of the past winter in New
York. and to gain strength for new dissi-
pations and triumphs in the fast ap-
preaching autums.
II was rumored that she had broken
many hearts and ruined more mems lives
than she cared to count; but then rumor
often lies.
He was q tall, sunburnt man, with
dark blue eyes, and mass OF waving
blonde hair. He was clad in the garb of
n simple farmer, but he did not look
wholly like n tiller Of the soil. His brown
hands were too shapely and his carriage
too elegant for man country-born and
country-bred.
Still, he had been working on the
Meadow farm during the summer, and
in all his leisure moments had been the
constant shadow Of the woman at his
side.
and his heart was capable OF an ali-ab-
sorbing love or an all-devouring hate.
As they walked slowly down the hill
side in the rich evening light, the lady
chatted half familiarly, half condescend-
ingly with her companion, while he
listened with the partly eager. partly alb
stracted air Of man plunged in some
deeply interesting experiment.
She talked with an air OF conscious
social superiority, and he listened or re-
piled like man with hidden purpose
and hidden strength.
As they came to q low stone wall he
took her hand to assist her In surmount-
ing it. Upon the other side Of the wall
he still retained her hand. She turned
upon him with . look full Of sstonish-
ment.
Thank you for the assistance, Mr..
Chapman, she said coldly, striving TO
withdraw her hand from his. II am
quite able TO proceed alone now"
He made no answer, but still held the
little hand in his strong grasp, while
with his eyes he seemed trying to search
the innermost depths of her heart
A crimson food illuminated her face.
"Mr. Chapman, you win be kind
enough TO release my hand ct once. "
This with freezing hanteur. y. IL,
"But suppose I want 1t" he said
quietly, with look full of meaning;
suppose tell You that want you for
nv wife; suppose I declare that I love
you, that your beautiful face enslaves
me, that your soft voice sets my heart ON
lire, that can not, will not live with
out you"
His eyes were glowing like living
Goals, and his face appeared transfgured
with the passion of the moment. Then
losing oil his cool self-control, he burst
forth in the full tide Of his overmaster-
ing love.
''Ah, Christine, my darling, my queen,
my life," he cried passionately, "let me
claim you as my own, let me take you tc
my heart, let me make You my wife.
am starving, Christine, actually starving
for little love from yon. Say you love
me, darling, Or" he added hastily, 81
you do not nowlove me, say you will try
to- Give me fragment Of hope, dear
little crumb with which to appease tn,
terrible hunger at my heart. I"
He had dropped on his knees at he
feet and was looking eagerly, longingl,
into her fair flushed face.
With q great effort she wrenched hel
hand free. Then with cleaning eye
and tone that cut him like knife, ah,
said: ..h Hff.lF FF-
''You could have hardly chosen q NOR
fitting opportunity or better place IL
which 10 insult me, sir. Whether 20,
are brute or driveling fool canno
tell. hardly know whether to feel pit,
for your ignorance or anger at your an
dacity. You marry me, youy" she ex
claimed with an insulting laugh. cd
we mate cows with canaries, OF, jackal
with lambs? Come, sir, I will allow tha
your speech is little better than tn
average country clod; I viii acknowledg
that your manners bear some degree Q
refinement: in short, that you are littl
above your station in life; but to MARI
you, TO live on carrots and turnips wit
you, to contemplate life of patchwor
quilts and rag carpets, why surely 20
are insane. raving mad" @
She burst into cruel laughter at tn
picture she had drawn, and then, no
even deigning 10 glance at the bowe'
head Of the man beside her, she turne,
upon her heel and moved slowly away.
With bound he was before her again
"Miss Cannell, Christine, hear me,
he cried eagerly, ''you wrong me. 20
do me cruel injustice. I am O gentle
man, every inch your peer" he adde
proudly. ''and am rich, very rich.
can grafify your every wish, 4 can sul
round you with every luxury. L"
She cut him short.
Enough. I thought You were Graz
before. now i know IL. You q wealth
mani Do men OF means masquerade ]
homepun, In cotton jeans2 Do men ,
means toll day after day in tho broilin
sun for mere pleasure? An inspirin
pastime truly for rich man."
"But let me explain my position
you, Miss Cannell,r he cried as la
resort. 'T came TO this place"
ITO work; that Is obvious. Do n,
prsvaricate further. Mr.. Chapman, wit
scordful accent. upon the title, I"
makes no difference TO me what yc
say, for I viii not believe You. Ite
gold by its glitter. You have served
amuse me In my idle hours, and for tn
thank you; but now see was wror
TO be 30 familiar with one below m
station in life. I cast you from my mir
as do this glove, and will forget you
soon" Without another word she le
him.
Chapman watched her tin she eAins
the house, world Of rnisery shining
his eyes. Then he mechanically stoopt
and recovered the glove from its hidin
place In the grass, and placed II In
pocket next 70 his heart. Z ~
Ths following Day Miss Csunell a
her mother departed for New York.
A brilliant evening reception was
progress at Mrs. Goldrim's fashionab
mansion ON Fifth avenue. A throng
beautiful women and distinguished m
surged up and down the spacious dra'
ing-rooms. A dazzling light from Z
cryxtal chandeliers fell upon the q