The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-11-17
oa home. yus, think if he sAssi6 esns

but she was quite indifferent to their merrimens, and with quick nod and wave of the hand sped away home
 The house was quiet and empty, and she fidgeted about from room to room in state of feverish suspense. Should she 20 and change her dress. No, perhaps she might not have time; besides, she had none that suited her better than the simple sateen she was wearing. Then her anxiety to be found pleasing in her lovers sight brought her to a stand still before mirror, and she scrutinized her self carefully and critically. Would he think her looking older or plainer, she wondered. She turned away at last in doubt, for it was difficult to judge of her self She need not have feared, for she never looked pretuer or sweeter than now. when happy expectation was breathing a bright flush over her cheeks, and her eyes were shining with light kindled by the purest love and faith.
 Presently, as she could not sit idle. she called for jug of water and some vases, and began arranging the bunch of ferns and wild flowers she had gathered in the woods. Firs, the loveliest and most fra 1 into little boqset for Headley, and she had not done much more than this when the sound of the visitors bell fell. upon her listening ears. 4 moment later the i servant announced
 Captain Beatrice's breath came and went quickly, and she caught hold of a chair to prevent herself from darting for ward Erskine."
 "You, Richard. s,ammered Beatrice. all the tension of her frame slackening thought thought am very glad 10 see you'll hope you are quite well'
 Captain Erskine had never been a talk ative or ready-witted man. and now he found himself in a predicament worse than any he had encountered in the Al ghan campaign. Beatrice's 'sill-conoealed disappointment and feeble attempt at a cordial reception might have struck him as comical had he not come with a pre- vious knowledge of something which rem dered it intensely pathetic.
 am quite well, thank you,' he said awkwardly. Is Mrs. Latham at home should like to see her.
 She is in the wood SO is everybody except me. Please si, down and tell me all the news. lsCaptain Headley N ell "
 Yes, said Erskine: and then there was a pause. during which Beatrice be- came nervously aware ,ha, something was wrong.
 You are telling me the truth - she said uneasily, and Erskine again said, Yes. yes
 Then ~hai IS |, - asked Beatrice.
 "IwouL rather tell Mrs Latham said Erskine
 Is |, anything about Kober:n de- manded Beatrice quickly.
 Yes, bu. cannot speak to you abou, il. It IS bad painful news.r
 " In what way: Why are you silent. Richard: Do you mean that Il is dis creditable to Robert:"
 Erskine bowed his head, and the poor girl, in mingled indignation and distress, entrea,ed him to keep nothing from her.
 = If there IS harm 10 be told of Rob, would rather you should tell me-" she said, touchingly, unsuspioious of what the harm might be ,: Il could forgive him anything. bu, could no, bear the others 10 know.
 You do no, understand, Beatrice, said the poor captain.
 How can l while you won't speak out" exclaimed the girl res,lessly.
 When did you last hear from Head ley. asked Ersklne. 10 gain time.
 From Gibraltar
 :" And there was nothing in the letter 10 make you suspec; anything wrong:"
 No"
 The scoundrei. .' eJscuIA;ed Erskine. under his breath :: bu, lieafrce heard 1t. and quick as though; started 10 her feet and turned upon him.
 How dare you: An. for pi.y's sake don't look at ase like that. You are toy turing me-pu, me out of my misery tell me the wors; q, once" The wild alarm in her face was 100 much for Erskine, and he bluued out the truth
 Headley was married this morning, almost immediately we landed. The room swam round Beatrice. and with long. choking sob of anguish she swayed and staggered back agains, the mantelpieoe. \ crash followed. for the hand had stretched ou; vaguely for sup DOT; struck the speeimen-glass into which she had pu, her little bouque, for Robert and tt fell shivering to atoms on the floor. Beatrice. perceivins Tn the aeciden, a signihean, sequel 10 Erskines words. felt as though her hear, must break with the glass, yet the shock of cold water dashed over her probably saved her from faint ing, for she ins,lnc,ively laid her cool we, hand across her dizzy brow and eyes Erskine. too, in despair, seized the jug oi water on the table and made her drink some out of a aower-vase.
 ''l am all righ, now" she said fain,ly "Go on. must know more Al this momen; the sound of voices a, the bottom of the garden indicated the return of the nu,ung party. and Beatrice quiveTed from head to foo,
 Oh. cannot face them all = she eN claimed wildly. lust one word. Rich ard-how do you know this:
 |" was told of t; then met him and he confessed it."
 The girl looked into his face for one glimmer of doubt but there was nothing to be read in i, save the deepest compass