The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-03-26

q
Believe nothing you hear" she says,
impassiyely; -only this-that l shall
peUer marry
Rising, and turning abruptly from
him she moves toward the ballroom
and. standing in the doorway gazes
without seeing anything. at the sway
ing crowd before her.
Presently she becomes conscious that
two dark eyes are fixed upon her; she
turns restlessly, and Captain Saumarez
stands at her side.
Not dancing, Miss Neville?" begins
be. lightly. And all alone, tool" Then.
with a change of manner, and throw
ing some concern into his tone he SAYS,
! quietly. You look overtired Nav /
take you out OF this to one of the small
| er rooms beyond, OF in heref" pointing
to the conservatory she had just quit
! ted.
"Oh. no; not in therel" exclaims she.
with some distress. But l shall be
| glad to get away for a little while"
Taking his arm, she makes her way
slowly through the dancers and the lin
/ gerers at the doorway, and presently
| sinks, with sigh of relief, into low
/ chair, in a small room that opens off an
! ante-chamber.
The music seems so very far away
that the noise and confusion could al
most be forgotten. Oh, that she could
now get rid of her companion, and find
herself, if only for ore short half hour,
alone!
something has annoyed you. Can L
help You i'll any way" says Saumarez,
in his gentlest manner.
~You are very good. No; it is moth
ing. am only Slightly fatigued," re-
! turns she, listleSsly.
May l get you something? A glass
of wine-Some iced wateT?'
| Thank yOu-nOthinG."
Her evident determination not to be
friendly. her extreme coldneSs OF voice
I and gesture, pique him beyond endur-
ance. What has he done to her that
this proud girl should treat him with
such open disdainI
Il saw you go into that conservatory
about ten minutes ago" he says, after a
slight pause, some reckless desire to
rouse her from her apathy, and bring
anger, if he can not summon love, into
those beautiful eyes below him, incit-
| ing him to this speech. You seemed
greatly disturbed when you came out
again. Was that boy rude to you2"
He has certainly gained his point
Miss Neyille's blue eyes literally flash
with anger.
That boy?" repeats she, in an i'm
passible tone.
Il am speaking of Penruddock," re-
turns he. with cool persistence. Was
he rude?"
Il hardly know how to answer such a
question" says Miss Neville, fTigidly.
@I never knew until now-to-night-
that any man could be rude to me"
"Ah. then l am to understand he did
offend?" says SaumareZ, insolently, his
evil genius at his elbow.
Il was not allUding to Mr.. PenTud-
dock-he is incapable of any act of i'll
breeding; l was allVding to yOu!' says
Maud, in clear tone, rising as she de-
liYerS this TetoTt.
She would have swept by him and
left the room, but with a sudden ex-
clamation he seiZeS her hand, and de-
tains her against her Will.
stop" cries he, with some passion.
Il have something to say to you, that
have too long withheld, and that you
shall hear now or never"
Then it shall be never" saws the girl
quickly. Il decline TO listen 10 any
thing you may have to say. Release
me, sir; your very touch is hateful tC
me-"
-Ay, since Penruddock came upon
the field. Do you think / am so blind
that | can not see how he has gained
favor where all others have been treat
ed with studied cOldness? DO you
think l have not noticed how he"
Il decline to discuss Mr.. PenTuddocl
with YOU" says Maud, throwing up heI
head with a gesture full of graceful dig
nifty that might have adorned a queen
is he so precious in your sighty'
says Saumarez, with a sneer. And is
fact OF your humble biTth?7
Take care, sir; do not go too farl'
says Maud, her voice vibrating with in
dignation.
Il don't care how far go now," de
clares he, all the evil blood in his hear
surging upward to the surface. 4 love
you. tooI Yes; you shall listen TO me
though it be for the last time." tighten
ing his fingers on her wrist. Il love
you, as that boy can nereT love you
with all the strength of a mans deepes
devotion."
. Hush! your mention of love is .bu
an INSULT! says she, III awlthering tone
My voice is not so silken as his, NJ
doubt" replies he. driven to madness
by her loathing. Nor do soft word
trip so readily from my tongue. Bu
will his love stand the test of time,
VIII he never regret that he has mar
Tied one who is"
He pauses.
"LOWly born"
she supplies the words; speaking
them bravely, and not fiinching from
the stroke.
"Ay. and basely'" says he, between hi
teeth.
1t is lie, and he knows it. But a
this moment he would have utteret
any false thing to lower the pride o
the woman whom-stTange paradox
he loves. yet hates,
NeYiiles countenance as the word
cross his lips.
NO. no; it is not true." she cries. al
her courage forsaking her. Il will no
believe it, What can yVH know NOR
than all the others? All. is il for thi
, reason | have dreaded you? Have pity
: and unsay your words"
) Il do not speak without authority,
replies lie, quickly. stung again by he
3 admission that she breads him.
: know all about your irth."-there
an air of undUubted truth about thes
words that strikes cold to her heart
4 "and tell YOU again, that you are nc
only humbiy but basely bOrn!
She shudders violently.
A low cry escapes her, and with the nan
T that still remains free she covers cer fnce
e At this instant Penruddock, followed d
. Mr. Wiiding with whom he IS earnestly COZ
verSing). enters the room. He ~ uniOrt'
. nately in time to hear Miss NeyllleS ag0hL
: ed cry and To hear SaunSrcZS last WoTtS-
: Going UP to the latter. he pushes him baci
l ward releasing Maud from his grasp
who has daTrd to apply such words
A shasrIy born tn Miss Neville?' he asks,
G fiery tones.
: Saumarez with his hs'ial evil snes'r
You are a coward!" SAYS Penruddnc
losing all command Of his temper; and, TAI
4, Ing his gloved hand he strikes him aero
the face.
O There is seconds awful silence; tht
y Saumarez- has instinctiNelN raised u
i hand to his check. ON which PINK Inc M
t be traccti-Slys, quietly. turning To fehfu
dock when and where?
}, THE sooner the better, SAYS DICK, u
:, white and wild with fury.
e Naud who had shrInk aside and who
5, now standing close 70 Mr.. Wilding, says
q him in a nervous whisper. 50 low as 10