The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1885-04-05

Mabel, still smiling, Notwithstanding the trouble
with which she fought night and day, went TO see II
the shower was over only few drops were fall-
ing, so she set on. The narrow, dark street into
which she turned was unusually crowded with carts
and carriages, aud, engrossed with her own mscr-
able thoughts, she never noticed until she was
In the thick OF them--for II had no footway-tba,
she was in danger OF being run over. suddenly she
felt herself seized and drawn back, bnt only Just In
time. She looked up to thank Hugh Sedley as shc
expected, and found herself face TO face with
Francis Grantleyl But Francis Grantlcy such as
she mad never seem either In dreamlnnd or In life,
holding ont rigid arm for her TO take which might
have been that OF statue insensble to human touch,
so cold and exprcssionless did his face look
The bitter suffering OF the last few weeks surged
up in her brain and seemed to set 1t on FIRE as she
Had a thousand deaths been before her she would
willingly have died them AL sooner than accept the
support he offered her. Without one word OF thanks
for saving the life that he had cmbttercd for al
ways she turned and left him. Had she but looked
back she would have seen nothing stony about MIN
then. Could he have been mistaken? What did
That proud, pale face, those burning Indignant eyes,
mcan7
"You have no umbrella he said hoarscy, as he
overlook her, "and another heavy shower u com
ing" She dartcd under near archway. lie fol-
lowed her lcsurcly and found her as far inside rs
she could 90, her pale face and glowing eyes brought
ont in curious relief by the light OF lamp before
shrine in the opposite wall Why dld he not let her
o T she asked a c,sc What r bitter mo Sr Of
but much that q few drops of rain should fall upon
her! She Eel, more than saw tina, he was examining
her closely.
"You are changed, Miss Talbot" he said. I" \
few weeks ago shower would not have struck you
self TO deny this had 1t not been for something in
his tone. Had his voice trembled?
Her expression was less hard as she stammered
that you were in Florence lie !eant toward her,
and his words were low, but very distinct.
why not Say at once that my presence here is
unwelcome to you." She changed color, and her
lips tremblcd u little.
"The rude suggestion was yours, and not minc.'
"At least confess" and he came a step nearer
"that you are disappointed that It not Mr.. Scdley
who prevented your committing suicldc-as you
csspy Iase understanding
what was in his mind, from sheer surprise at heat
ing the name on his lips.
are offended at my want of manners. Allow me to
make amends, and congratulate you now, then"
she stood and listened 10 The few words which re-
vealed to her tho OF his unaccDuntabe conduct
It flashed across her for the first time that, after ALL
they had never been quite engaged. had never had
thorough explanation. Subsequent events, rumor.
might easily have made him believe her to lie en-
amusing herself with him! What could he have
thought OF her. But he still loved her! The rush
of Joy flooding her heart almost stined her, and she
lie brought her back. "why doyou not thank me
for my congratulations" he asked.
because don! happen TO he the woman that he
Ia going to marry"
"WhO IL, thCn?h
"My cousn--Charlotte Burns.'
lie staggered against the wall as white az death.
"Great Heavens! What lies people tell! Mabel IL
you saw n fcllow-creature starving You couid not
hold food to his lips and then draw II away 0gain?"
81 have spoken the truth"
"And yet you spent all your time with him until
report gave him to you AS your afianced husband. "
81 gave him my time aud my sympathy as would
have given them to my own brothers. lie Is almost
a brother TO me-"
deep sob shook him from head TO foot. Mabel
crept nearer to him. and the next few words were
spoken with both her hands in his. Mabel, listen
When was forced to leave you without even q word
OF farewell meant to return Immediately, but my
poor friend lingeredand died; and even before then
those lying tongues dealt me death blow Mabel
II you ever had any love for Inc. tell me. II may not
he toolate for to win 1t back" And as he stopped
his head to catch her whispered words he heard
her say that she had always loved him even when she
had tried to forget him-always-cvcn before she
had known him.
"Mabel,' he said, little hesi,atngly, when they
were indoors. ~ want you to do something for me
III only for once?"
"Whot can 1t possibly bc-Frank!" she said in
very small voice, and bnshing rosy red.
lie smiled at her answer yet sigh OF relief escaped
him, making him feel rather foolish 1lelooked down
at her aud she looked up and then they both laughed
THE 4