New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-12-12

Sophyg was 80 greaS M """'o' "
STo break She gazed at him, lost in perplex-
ity. Vaguely her eyes wandered to tho letter. the
whole who'll trath dashed upon her. A warm srim: son
sprang to cheek. and regret to say sue 10 tar
forgot herself to stamp her pretty shoe upon the
You are really maddeningl" she cried; lyon
are beyond pardon" She might, and 10 all prooa-
btv would, have said great deal more, naa MOI no.
the sound OF an approaching footstep Checked her.
She turned her head to see George Markham.
"George" she said. sweetly Nth com pinS
bringing me that that little MESSAGE wrote 70
You abont last Thursday. Bring !. here. Lazy
Hartley has it, think; Get it from her. =, h.. want
back again the way he had come. whistling ldly:
MISS Charteris in hls absence. employed herse SCI,
drumming in arather vicious manner apH Est e%o
who was deadly silent, with an awful growing
fear fell upon bin that he had been for the third.
"p PRESENTLY Markham returned and laid something
a. had q battle royal to get IT." he said. laughing.
at appears baby lives by 1t alone. IL Is nuge
success, Lady Hartley says. an you love ner' oon
Sill Laughing. he lounged away. through the
outer door, down the steps and into the GARDEN en-;
When he was quite gone, SOpliy advanced on LORD
Elston. She then opened her pretty PINK pam anu
he'd he psi 70 b s she said IN oce unrans
latable. .or, of
IL was terrible thing A hateful wormy sort Oh
thing, made of gutta-percna; out III hiuccu' "'
lea tinnocent-innocent no doubt. because hideouS.
IL was blacu and soft and bendabe, and big enough
to fit giants thumb Elston eazed az IL as IL u
fascinated, AMI at last spite OF the prize that
wonld have held him silent, was constraheu "
speak; 40,
When she had proved to him his guilt, she Gld noI
try to leave him.. bnt stood erect her oeau sa
figure drawn mp to its fullest height s'ranee
gravity upon her beautiful lips.
"This is the third time" she said, at asst IN low
tone. as though speaking to herself lie starten
violently Noticing this she let heT eyes resi- ior'
fully on him and went on slowly, " Your proDatioh
my Lord, is at an end"
i So il my life" said he.
"As for that first chance-that letter OF minc-you
shall see il now, ~ promised"
"Oh no. no." he said. entreating her by gesture
not to go into that. Il understand submit. l
am surely unfortunate enough"
She hestated a moment and then said:
"You remsmber our compactf"
And all it means to me Have not toId you
SOL Spare me, beseech yOu. what you eau.
This Is the final throw and you have lost'
Every thingf" ga
aAII li;.Ovor' then, between usi"
She made little impetuons movement, and he,
interpreting it. moved to the door and lung IL VIDE
for her TO pass through. WITH her would 20 all MS
hopes his desires. Nothing would remain save
that saddest of all things. memory.
He stood, his eyes downcast, waiting for her TO 90
He felt numbed. stupid; but presently 1t did dawn
upon him that it was strange she should keep PIN
so long in attendance OIL her. Whilst he thns
mused voice, sou, sweet, unsteady, ioi uPou lis
ears.
aArthur it said.
IIe let the door go and looked at her. She had
covered her face with her hands ard was crying
quietly but bitterly. In second she was IN MS
arms.
Ny darling! my darlingr whispered he. Has
1t hurt you so much Has it so grieved you on
Sophv do not cry like that! In time you will for
s"Ah! that is Just it, sobbed Miss Charteris
Indignantly; q can't forget you And TO tnnK
yoa would have let me go forever. without another
word-another glance-oh, l would not nave
believed it of you" =.
"Sopby. do you know what you are saying
After all is there d chance for me r.
He was very pale as he looked at her,.
ayes, fonrth," said she. smiling through her
tears. "And then-Oh, no." sue cried, nerVousy,
I'VE won't have any moro trials; hate them:
But-but you will try to be good now, won't you r.
IL don't think shall ever offend you again.
Sophy; l don't, indeed"
"Very WELL" said she. "That is promise; mlnn !;
and now must run away and give back this ring
to Lady Hartley" -
"Ah talking of rings" said he. a little awkward
ly; there-there is something L want tc say 10
fall in,o disgrace that telrgraphed to town and
fnmbling in his pocket " got you this. You Will
wear il now, Sophyf"
different from that horrd black thing WHICH han
wrought such mischief.
aObl how lovely |" cried Miss Charters. who
was not above Iaptdres where diamonds were con-
cerned. "Oh, Arthur thank your
lie slipped IL on her inger-the hnger-and she
regarded it with most satisfactory delight.
alt IL who should thank You" said he, teDderly,
for deignlng to accept II. But-but ii were 10
thank person, Sophy, should do it more warmly
than YOU"
She cast little, swift shy glance at him and
blushed crimson. She hestated, then moved step
nearer to him. and lifted her face slightly.
1t was their first kiss, but not their last Tho
Argosy.