The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1883-11-08
"Natal,e, why do YOU hate mo SOP"

y
She answered sadly, with Dropping
head: 1T is out of my power to hate,
or like-forcver.'
"Nonsensc!"
She lifted her face with look Of
wonder and misgivings; and presently
sho questioned, as earnestly rs had hc
himself:
"Why do you follow mo about,
Harvey Drew? 1t cannot be for old
friendships sake, for you were not
friend then, but enemy"
Enemy is strong word. ] was
sore because you preferred Hunt
Pierce that was all. A thousand pit
les il was that he must DO lost Mt sea
just at the hour of your trouble"
Her solemn eyes rebuked him ere her
passion-trcmulons words:
"Sparc the dead, at lcast."
He moved back his chair impatiently
"You were engaged to him, then 7"
eyes, proudly.
"Not married, though?'
"Married?"
"Oh, you might pardon tho question.
Remember left the town before tho
trouble came. / am glad you were not
married.
"Why ?" she asked, unninchingly.
He smiled IN quiet way, and said
nothing.
She studied his face fcarfnlly for n
space. 1t was not ill.favored, with its
fair coloring. fine eyes and regular
features: it was rather pleasant, but
| for curve about tho lips.--the same
curve that she remembered knowing il,
the old days, when Huntlev Pierce
| dover dead and gone, God help her J
had mistrustcd, and counselled hel
against, this Harvey Drsw.
"An unprinciplcd fellow" her be-
trothed had said. (Ah, how she re-
membcred MI his words,) When ht
sets his heart on having anything, hs
will so any length, stoop to any meas
urcs to secure i'll"
As she studied his face, il seemed t.
her the lip-curve grew deeper, NOR,
definite, and threatened n sneer, per
haps a snarl. She could hardly cndur,
it. She lowered her eyes, and the,
were dazzlcd by tho diamond blazing
in his cravat.
Hunt had ever been true AID right.
She wished that he would go. Sure
ly he must see that his company wa.
distasteful. Why had he not more
manlincss? Why had he pursued he
SO of late? She wondered ii he knew
she had lost her place, and piticd her
But she did not ask his pity. She onl,
prayed for his departure.
Perhaps he OWNED as much.
you are going to send mo away?'
he asked, smiling family.
She grasred the nearest excuse.
Il have not yet been to my supper.
"Come right along with me-.
She wondered if he would force he
to absolute rudeness.
why" he burst out, sharply, "wha
is tho matter? You won't even b
friendly. Don't YOU suppose / know
what struggle you are having. an,
all about your financial state? You al
too proud altogether. and IL want t
help you."
He lowered his voice, and made
step forward as il to embrace her.
She rccoiled, trembling with rage.
l
is the door. lou may go. DO no
make me hate you."
Her scornfnl eyes blazed upon hir
until his face flushed He took ste
as if to leave, and an oath escaped him
Then he turned, laughing lightly.
Il like your snap. You are wort
winning, Natalie, and-you have mis-
Judged me. meant no harm, beliey
me-"
She answered with dry incredulit,
Don't do it again"
He waived the remark, and went ON
Il am going now, but listen first to whs
L have to shy. l always loved you
you know it, too. I've thought gres
, deal about marrying especially 1
late. because l knew what hard tim,
YOU were having. and how pleasant
could make life for you."
She averted her face lest he note til
\ scorn, the repugnaace, she could II,
conceal, as his voice sank into an cas-
confidence.
, How absurd it all seemed! Was h
: joking? She could not determine,
any event, il was the sheerest mocker,
, oven though hr really cared for he
| she could neither respect nor esteem
much less love him.
And what ii Hunt could know? 81
: shuddered.
"Please, please let it go." she in
, plored Mt length. "This is only Il
|, widest fancy. IL will not aoul
| your words. But it is absurd, re
haps you are pitying me. BE certain
I l can always sustain myself, l will
: your friend. if you like. That shoul
a be sufficient, l think" concluding u
q easily.
: "But. You SOC, it is not. All, \
: talie," with touch OF tenderness.
/, You know how much l cared for yo'
But-well talk Of il tomorrow. s.,
l you want me to GO Goodnight, dear
), He turned abruptly and swung hsms,
|, ont of tho door.
+ Goodnight" she said, after him,
bewildercd tone, and paced the roo
Il slowly, trying to reason sense out
i his actions.
$ 1t was grotesque, horrible, this II
tion of his. She wondered If he We
II truly sane. She fell into hysteric
T? laughter. To marry him - despisil
l.. him rs she did. The wildness of hy
/ \ 4 lxrs L. IA I,