The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-01-16
conceive am instant aversion to him on

sight"
 "Why do you say this2 Are you not his friend7 Do you seek to prejudice me against him2"
 "Far from it, only would warn you against yielding to impulse. trust l have not offended you.''
 "You have not offended me, but" again she shivers, it is not the air of the autumn evening which chills her, but horrible realization of what she has brought herself to {; she has engaged her self to man whom she has never seen, and here before her stands her king among men. "Say no more" she,says, waveringly, "else shall think you false to your friend"
 He steps towards her, and bending his head, imprints passionate kiss upon her glowing lips. "Think it over, daEling," he whispers, and is gone.
 She hurries into the house and seeks the shelter of her own room. Later when she goes down stairs he is not there, nor does he return during the evening. Pres ently she raises her head and begins her letter she cannot feel right until it is done.
 "DEAR DUKE: have difficult task to perform, the hardest of my life. can- not marry you because have ceased to love you, if ever did. Twill tell you the whole truth, it is the least can do, love your friend. He has not asked it, but it is given. We all know love cannot be had for the asking, and not a word of love has passed between us. would fain love you, Duke, but cannot. may never see this man again, yet love him. What reparation can make you, Duke ? cannot say, knowing the truth, take me if you will, Duke, for that would be an insult, like offering aA empty casket from which the priceless jewel has been taken. And could not marry you now, even if you would, Duke, for it is against my convictions of right. make no excuses. I simply tell you the truth, and ask you to forgive me. see now what a sad mistake it was to enter into written com- pact without first having become ac quainted by personal contact. EFFIE."
 This letter she despatches immediately to the post. When she enters the break fast-room, MT. Huntly is not there, and Lily informs her he has left suddenly the night before.
 In few days Fife receives letter from Duke saying he is coming to see her. It fills her with consterr ation, as he says he will be with her almost as soon as the letter.
 ooh, why does he wish to see me? It can do no good. What tangle have got myself into What weak, frivolous creature am," and with various other exclamations and interrogations she seeks to console herself.
 The same afternoon he arrives, Lily comes to acquaint her with the fact. The Duke has come, Fife, and is very impatient to see you. Will you come now ?"
 She gives a quick start, and is on the point of refusing when reason stays her and whispers it will be best to have it over at once, SO she assents.
 AS she enters the drawing-room, where he awaits her, it is bathed in the warm soft light of the crimson and orange fam ing up in the west. She raises her eyes for an instant, only to drop them again :; she catches glimpse of tall figure in the window recess, but as she advances her head bends low in humiliation, the thought that she should have treated this man so meanly, bows her head in shame and she cannot look up and meet the re- proachful gaze which she knows is upon her, for he has advanced to meet her 1; there is silence moment, then she mur. muIs:
 "Forgive, did not mean to bring you to this"
 "And you really love my friend ?" he asks, in whisper as if afraid of his own voice to put the question.
 "I do," she says, deprecatingly.
 And does he know it2 Does he love you too ?" still ;n whisper.
 "l have not seen him since wrote you. told you all"
 "But did he not lead you 10 suppose he loved you2
 Not once does she question his right to question her. It is painful, but she feels bound to do all she can to gratify him. She hesitates, then replies, "Yes," in a