The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-07-20

II particularly dislike them,' turning
away and walking across the room with
out another glance. When be walks
back again-Snowden has such restless
fashion of wandering up End down-his
own peculiar nonchalance and indiffer-
ence has wrapped him around again
completely.
I'm sorry to disappoint you about the
seats at Booths tonight, Maidie," he
says quietly. II found it impossible to
get those you wanted, and was obliged
to take box instead"
II detest box!"
"Tm exceedingly sorry, but 1 could
do no better. I knew neither you nor
Miss Vandyke would care to sit in the
last rows"
"It doesn't matter, I suppose. be
lieve Nina likes box don't you, Nina?
AS for me, I'm not going"
."Not going?" cries Nina.
Snowden never stirs q line of his face.
His eyebrows are lifted up, and his blue
looked steadily down.
"Now
"Is there any special reason why you
don't wish to? Will you wait for an
other night? can change the tickets"
"No thanks" reply, indifferently.
81 don't care to go at all. Tn satisfied
with 'Richelieu, if Nina will excuse me,
I'll Withdraw from the party. You don't
mind going without me on this occasion,
I'm sure"
"Maidie, dearest"
It is Nina, not he. He says not one
word. know I'm rude; cannot help
it, for I know, too, that in another
minute I shall burst into tears before
them both, and would rather die than
show the culver of q single nerve. So,
in the very midst of Nina's speech I leave
the room, swinging one of Herbert
Gives roses in my hand, rush into my
room to fling myself down and cry as
children do-as I have done every day of
life since Nina Vandyke came into the
house at my own wish and will.
1t is the rarest of events now for
Snowden TO come to my room; but as
lay there sobbing this late afternoon,
he walked directly in. If he knocked I
did not hear him.
"Maidie, for heavens sake, what is the
matter?"
Nothing"
"Nothing? But I know there is
there must be something!" he says,
kneeling down by the bed where have
thrown myself. "My darling, why
can't you tell me? For Gods sake,
Maidie, If we two cannot be as husband
and wife to each other, give me at least,
the right of friend to help you; answer
me, child" he says, with bitter en-
treaty.
And I feel, lying there with hidden
face. the soft touch of his hand on my
shoulder-round my neck-clinging
there for;an instant. Then push it away.
II told you there was nothing at all.
I'm nervous-my head aches; only
want to be left alone, say, trying des-
perately to steady my voice.
Still he kneels there. drawing his
breath little quicker. as If in pain.
"Will you never want anything else Of
me?" almost in a whisper. 'Maidie, do
you know what you're doing? Do you
know that this life is killing me?"
No answer. am forced to lie still with
the bitter knowledge in my heart--how
we'll 1 know it only God knows--snd 1
dare not tell Snowden Earle.
won't you speak to me? Maidie, it's
the last time I'll come to you and ask
for single word. For Gods sake, say
it now, unless you hate me; answer me,
and tell me what hurts you. Say one
word-that you trust me--that you re
sorry! My God! you might say as much
to any stranger, if y,u saw his heart
broken a. mine ISL
Still kept my face buried deep in
the pillow; he is waiting with drawn
breath and throbbing pulses; but can
not say Q word. How long he kneels
there. clenching his two hands together
as they rest on the bed, and bending
nearer and nearer all the time,
I never knew; it might be hours
or minutes. But he starts to his
feet at last, stands lingering over me one
second, then turns and walks straight
and steadily out of the room.
It is the last time that he will come
he has said it-and the words keep ring
ing over in my wretched head as I lie
there all alone-the last time-the last
the very lastl
They went to the theatre without me.
sat in the parlor when they had gone,
aud the roll Of carriage wheels had died
away down the street; / was staring into
the fire at q visionary, anxious face,
sparkling and smiling. with brown eyes
and dancing dimples, and ct mans
face beside it. fternly sweet and pure
and sorrowful, that softened and grew
glad Just for the brown eyes sake-and
the devil was stirring stronger in my
heart, whispering closer in my ear,
whom Herbert Give came and found me