Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1883-12-17
dreamed Of doub ing the veracity of the
statement 8he had inst heard


his contemplated marriage touche
Caprice's pride to the quick. Then, too
lshe had tondly believed that Romne
Travers was her own property-that h
cared for no one else SO tondly as fI
her-that never more would she b
utterly desolate now all these dream
were shattered. A other woman rule
This heart and in short time wnul
rule his home.
Gradually Romney Travers began t,
perceive change in his bright charge
In society she was the same bewitch
Ing Caprice, but at home and with hin
all was different. She laughed an,
chatted, and obligingly did whateve
he requested, but under it all, hi
watchtul eyes detected a troubled
under-current of thought that did no
appear on the surface. Then to al
those charming, impulsive caresses tina
She had been wont to bestoW upon him
were entirely withdrawn, and her many
little condolences and plans were nc
| longer contided to him. Al this he fell
ksenly, but knew not exactly wha,
| course to pursue to win her back.
Things moved on in this course fol
some weeks, and both Caprice and
Travers were drifting farther and far
Their apart, and actually becoming
wretched, when ono evening, Travers
coming home little late, walked into
the library where Caprice sat by a
shaded light, reading.
Travers thought Sine had never looked
lovelier than at that moment, as she sat
with all her ripping. golden hair un'
bound, and falling like veil around
her, ono exquisitely moulded hand
supporting her rounded cheek
Caprice" he said as he seated him.
self and carelessly picked up a paper.
George Seymour asked me for your
hand In marriage to-day; what answ or
shall | return him ?"
" Tell him that appreciate the hon
or he pays me, but that | decline it, "
returned Caprice calm y, and quite as
If proposals were an every day occur
renee with her.
A shadow of relief fitted for mo-
ment over the mans face.
" Caprice" he said with smile, edo
you always mean to commission me
to return that reply to your suitors ?
VIII nothing move than hinty heart OF
yours Is your answer to Seymour
final 2"
Caprice rose and leaned one hand
on the back of her chair.
" My answer is final. 1t is, no, to him
and al, Others" She spoke firmly aud
looked at him steadily.
TrayAra rtaI bur
" You are not happy here" he said
at last. Why is it Caprice 2"
A troubled expression came into the
great Oriental eyes.
"No,' she answered slowly, / am
not content. am afraid | am not suit
ed to the life lead. There are times
when | long to escape it all and flee to
some portion of the earth where | am
utterly unknown, and there work out
a fortune and a name for myself. Mr..
Travers, lmploringiy, "don't deem
me ungrateful if say that | must
leave you
Romney Travers rose and walked
rapidly up and down the room several
times, then he paused beside the girl,
and taking her gently in his arms, he
looked steadtastly in the lovely face
tlnshing and paling alternately beneath
his gaze.
"Clprice," he said tenderly, tiny
little girl, that found long ago in the
heart Of that old woodland, you have
made my life very happy since you
came here, and hoped to make yours
,orrespondingly pleasant, but it seems
have failed. Your decision pains me
very much, more than you will ever !,
Know but before let you go forth to
10 ballle against a world of which you
snow so little | want you to tell me the
rue reason of your going"
The pressure of the kind arms around
Ter, thu tender tones in her ear were
more tina the girl could bear; herr
PASSIONATE Italian nature was reused to
he most intense pitch, and convention
.lities, pr"prlety. everything became
to the tide of passion
urging within her.
~ co." she cried, her words over
Gaping one another like the fierce
orrent of - mountain brook that has
escaped from its icy letters and PUSHES
N needless of its course " 90 because
love you, and because ] feel that |
annOt live here and see you bring
lome your bride, and behold you lavish
our affection on her because there is
Omething within me that warns me if,
hrs. Nepicy and should stay here in
onr presence, should grow to hate
er and then might be tempted to kill Ii
er. 1t is horrible, know, but cannot
ain a, loo, 81
} see you happy with another would
Q Misery
Her arms clasped his neck convulsive-!
:, her bo,oil painting and heaving with
xcitement was pressed to his, her face
as hidden on his shoulder. u
The arms around her frightened their
asp.
fon have given credence to strange II
,mCr>, Caprice. 1t is true | once loved
ena Nepiey, but she proved false, and
ore she the last woman on earth
ould not marry her. She is less than
Dthing 10 III Caprice" he continue l.,
is voice gr,"lnga trihe husky. "Yon t
ave confessed your love for me--will
III be my wife ." 9
With fierce movement the girl
'rahE away from his enclrcllng arms, !
.r eyes flashing, her delicate nostrils
livpring with scorn.
" Not for the world - she cried, her
)ice clear and distinct. 81 am not too !
'oud TO love you aud to tel you 80, but
would not stoop for one instant to az {
pt for pity, what you would not offer
r love- II
Travers regarded her moment in
Ienc", then hn spoke. d
81 offer You not pity, but love-lovr r
lch a. never gave to any other being. 0
never offered it Def re, because never 0
'eamel that you could possibly care i
r me other than as d true friend The Il
rongest love Of which am now capa- f
e, ! now Offer TO you. Will you ac t
'pt ?"
A wondrous smile gleamel in the i
ir face, and played round Tie ,ull,
d lips. She moved .orwaru aud laid
r two hands in has. u
IL take he gift, most gracious SOW Il
egn. in the 50 RI. It's offered" she c