The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-11-07
CHAPTER ".

One evening as they returned from the usual ramble they were greeted at the gate by group of ten or twelve young men, one of whom advanced, lifted his hat and presented the astonished Hayne with rather large sized package, neatly done up and addressed to him.
 Before any explanation could be solic- ited the party had disappeared, and the couple walked into the house.
 Earle opened his bundle and was real ly astonished to find neat and costly copy of Kent, in four volumes.
 The mystery was readily explained 10 Miss Mamie of how he had become en- titled to his present, and then he ventured to inform her that his aspiration had been for the law, but he was afraid he could not accomplish it now.
 "Why not ?" she queried.
 "Toe poor"
 "Then go ahead, I'll assist you. lhave money and will loan you any amount, for any length of time you desire it."
 They sat upon low bench near the window and Earle drew nearer her as he answered.:
 "I have always acted upon the convic- tion that it is best to be perfectly inde. pendent, and to accept your generosity, though know not how to thank you for the offer, would be to depart from an idea which has almost become a princi. ple."
 "Then, if the circumstance had no other palliation, the former relations which existed between my family and yours, should do away with your honor- able scruple. I will give you check for SI GOO You can use it to complete your studies and return it at your leisure"
 Earle took her hand, the first time their touch had met.
 "Nannie, if act upon your suggestion, work diligently, faithfully till can show you my poor worth as a man, will you promise then to return this awful, pas sionate and tremendous love which ere this you have become aware possess for you? Will you accept my unworthy self as surety, in case l make my name worthy of associating with you for al- waysp'
 She was still as statue, cold and white
 "Speak, Mamie, speak Tell me Can't you speak9 Why, Mamie, know you can love mel You do love me. Talk, darling!"
 "Quit quit, Earle, go away. Oh, how foolish, how thoughtless have been Go away, Earle, go-go awayw
 Her last words were kind of whis pered shriek, as she swooned in his arms. Without thinking of the awkward posi- ton in which such conduct would place him, he summoned Prof. Hill and rushed out into the street.
 For the first time in his life, Earle Hayne passed an entire night in sleepless, agoniz.d misery.
 The next morning note was handed him. He had never seen specimen of her writing, but he knew the note was from Mamie Holt. ltread:
 My oRAR FRIEND: May heaven forgive me for that which you can never.
 My indiscretion has done g crime which mortal retributon can never palliate. have been so deeply interested in you since our as quaintance began that aevcr once thought of tue danger either to you or myself which might have been expected from such inter- course and mutual congenialiy. I am to be married in two weeks and my promised hus- band will be here to morrow. It was all ar ranged before came here and it has been our intention to remain here one year. :.
 Forgive me, Earle, forgive my whitening in- discretion and make haste to inform me that you will still be my friend.