The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-07-26

that I suppose she really is not wholly to
blame because men choose to detach
their scalps, hang them at their belt, and
then go about the world moaning over
their loss"
Trust woman to defend woman
when jealousy is not possible to either"
answered Max. 'For my part, regard
Miss Fielding as utterly heartless and q
fiirt."
Judge not that ye be not judged"
replied the pretty little matron. Yes,
that is she," she added, noting how the
mans eyes dilated, as tall, slender
figure, draped in close-clinging white,
swept out Of the open door on the piazza.
There's no woman like her here. OF
course she is conscious of her power,
and uses it. But look in her eyes. Max,
and tell me, if you dare, that Nora Field
ing has no heart. No man has ever
touched il, that is all"
"The idea of woman's eyes betoken-
ing soul was the cynical reioinder.
But there was no time for more, for
he and Mrs. Redeem had approached
close to where the girl stood, aud ere
either of them was aware of her inten-
tons, they had been formally presented.
He would carry on no slow warfare,
determined Max and in that moment lie
began the campaign.
Beware, NoraW whispered Mrs. Red.
fern, that evening, in the little she'll
tinted ear. He is Fred Ronald's dear.
est friend, and be sure he knows all re-
garding that little episode there is to
know"
But the only answer the girl vouch-
safed this friendly piece of advice was
shrug of the white shoulders, cleaning
through the black lace of her gown.
A fortnight passed, and the hotel Cos
sips again found food in Miss Fielding's
latest conquest, for, by this time, so Max
Elliott was deemed.
He understood now the infatuation
which had possessed his friend, not by
experience for he told himself that each
day that he learned to scorn the woman
more-but listening to the low, musical
infections of her voice, and looking into
her eyes, which sometimes softened to a
marvellous softness, he acknowledged
her acting perfect.
Only to him who knew it to be acting
was there involved no danger. But was
he, intrenched in his own fortress, max
ing the girl feel? Was he gaining the
power to make her suffer? Once his, he
would employ it ruthlessly, but first he
must know that he possessed it.
Sometimes he turned in a moment
from warmth into GOODNESS. She made
no comment on his change of mood.
Sometimes he feigned Indifference to her
presence-indifferent still, when the
other moths, kept in allegiance by his
superior stronghold, futtered round the
candle; but. save by little tired look,
he saw from his covert and distant OBJ
servation in her eyes, she welcomed his
return to her, all unquestioning his
absence. He found himself growing
irritated, almost angry.
will you drive with me this after
noon?" she asked him one morning.
Yes, he answered.
And at five o'clock, the perfect little
trap stood waiting its mistress occupancy
the horses pawning impatiently, while
the groom held their heads, and he.
lounging near, waiting Miss Fielding's
advent.
Fifteen, twenty minutes passed, and
she did not come. The half hour had
struck before, with hasty apology for
delay, she took her seat, and gathering
up the reins m her little gloved hand,
gave the ponies an impatient touch of
the whip, which made the grooms
scram BILE for his place behind almost .
Waterloo.
Max, quickly observing her. noted that
her face was unusually pale, and al
though there WAS no redness about her
eyes, he could have fsncied there had
been recent tears there. However, she
talked merrily and brightly, - was her
wont, and soon the air brought back the
color to her cheek and chased the latent
look OF sadness from her eye.
what . lovely sky" she exclaimed as
sudden turn in the rod brought them
in full view of the sky and ocean, and at
that moment the sunset gun doomed from
the fort
The horses made sharp swere. The
road was very narrow, With large boul.
ders on either side. Almost before any
one could realize how or whom it was
done, the wheel of the phsston had struck
one Of these, and the girl, totally unpre-
pared to resist the shock was thrown 10
the ground. Almost a. rapidly Max was
beside her.
For the instant he thought she was
dead. Her head had struck small stone
and . small stream Of blood was trick
ling from her temples. making her pallor
more ghastly. The thought that she
might be dead came TO him with . sick.
ening awfulness. Death and this bright,
beautiful being seemed 20 vide asunder;
| and vet in . moment. perhaps, they had