, 1882-07-14

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He bowed his head haughtily.
Il was, Miss Ferris
Laura's cheek burned scarlet, but
she would not give up without one
more effort.
I'VE were friends once. | think
that gives me a right to ask why?'
she said, simply.
Mr.. Halcomb turned his face, and
looked directly into Lara's eyes, as
he answered:
Miss Ferris, / have no objection
to tell you why. / am not hopelessly a
fool, and when lady tells me plainly,
in her own house, and with her own
lips, that she entirely despises me, |
conclude, of course, that she desires
no further acquaintance with me, and
| can only act accordingly"
. Laura's breath fiuttered with her
blank surprise.
do you mean that | over told you
such thing?" she cried.
Il certainly mean that"
The girl famed all over in deronse
instantly.
Mr. Halcomb, look at me-.
well, Miss Ferrisg'
Il wanted to see if you had gone
crazy l utterly deny your charge.
l firmly declare that l never said any
thing like that to you. or to anyone
else of you! Never! Never in my
life"
Miss Ferris, it isn't polite to con
tradict lady, nevertheless, l can
prove it to you"
"Prove it then" cried Laura, with
eyes that flashed and cheeks that
burned until Halcomb thought her
perfectly beautiful But he only
answered, coolly:
Il can call the exact time to your
memory"
do it, them
"Do you remember the last evening
/ spent at your house,"
Perfectly we'll"
Can you recall my offering to
place rosebud in your hair"
'Distinctly."
DO you remember forbidding me,
saying that you despised the giver OF
those flowers too much to wear his
gift?"
"Oh, yes! But my words could
not have applied to you, because
R'clard WI ting was the giver. and
you know what he is?"
"How do you know Richard Whit
ing sent them ~ asked Larry.
Because ] found his card close be-
side the basket"
"Did you really think he sent the
flowers, Miss Laura?'
"Indeed | did"
There was glorious change in
Larry Halcomb's fine face, as he
turned it towards Laura, saying:
"And suppose you were mistaken
Suppose l had sent the roses, would
you have said thatp
Laura raised her glance to his and
answered frankly
You know [ would not"
He bent very low, all his soul in his
eyes, and said in "a deep and intense
tone
You werc mistaken. The basket
of roses was my gift. / sent them to
you because you were dear, so dear to
me, Laura. If you had thought so
then, tell me what You would have
done"
Laura raised her eyes once more,
and reading his eloquent face too
well to misunderstood him, too proud
and truthful herself to trihe with
him, she answered
Il would have worn them in my
hair and on my bosom, Mr.. Halcomb -
Larry caught both her hands in a
firm, strong clasp.
my darling l loved you then
[ love you now. | shall love you for
ever / left you because | thought
you wanted to Danish me. | was go
ing away because ] could not live
without you. Laura, my love, need |
go at all 2"
Not if it depends on me to keep
YOU" replied Laura, showing him a
very bright face
1T depends upon you. If stay
l want it to be for a home of my
own, and a dear wife in it. Can |
have that, Laura ;"
You can have it, Larry
Well, you know they were in the
public parlor of a hotel, and it was
no place for raptures. They had to
content themselves Just then with
fervent words and hand clasps. But
that was good deal to people who
had hardly been on speaking terms
for month or two.
Pretty soon Laura said:
HAS not the storm lightened, 50
we can 60? They will be uneasy
about me at home, especially if papa
happens to send to Jenny's, and finds
/ am not there"
Il will see" said Mr.. Halcomb.
He went to the door, and presently