Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1888-12-06
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between her love for Jack and Deb and heI
sympathy with Dick Wyatt, she felt utter
ly powerless -.
satisfied. He was diss ltisfed with Deb
and himself She was not looking well,
and was not at all like herself; and, al
though apparently lighter-hearted than
any of the other girls he met, there were
times when he felt certain that she had
been crying, and that all her gaiety was
assumed in order TO hide an aching heart
She was always sweet-tempered; but he
noticed that she tried to avoid being alone
with him, and had never once since his re
turn offered to kiss him of her own accord
There was subtle change in her manner
which almost convinced him at times that
her heart was no longer his One thing
Jack became cOgniZant Of was that Cap
tain Wyatt had ceased to be visitor at
Mrs. Brookes house, although, as he had
learned, the young officer had been form
erly frequent guest. Jack also noticed
the studied and persistent manner in
which Wyatt and Deb avoided each other
when they met by accident Coupling this
with the fact that the Captains behavior
had been rather peculiar at their first
meeting, and even allowing for his natu-
raj establishment at beholding an apparent
stranger claim Miss Ffolliott N 80 familiar
u manner, Jack at last came TO the con-
clusion that there was something radically
wrong, His own feelings, too seemed tc
have undergone change. and he felt an
cry with himself because the warmth Of
his old love for Deb seemed to be cooling
down into calm cousinly affection. He
Eve f1trf frl
beautiful and charming his cousin Felicia
had grown, and he would wonder whether
she was going to marry that hne-looking
fellow Wolverton At this stage of his
thoughts poor Jack would shake himself
with a sigh, as he remembered that he was
still engaged to Deb and that everything
seemed upside-down.
The Goodwood races were close at hand.
and the London season was nearly over.
when a tritiing occurrence convinced
Deb's tldnce that there had been more than
friendship between his future wife and
Captain Wyatt. As Jack was coming out
of the opera-house one e. ming, with Deb
on his arm, Captain Wyatt ran against
them. Turning, with q smile, to apologize
for his clumsiness, he caught sight of Deb,
and the smile at once disappeared from his
lips. Jack felt the girls hand tremble on
his arm, and when he looked at her she
was deathly pale The young fellow in
stantly formed a resolution, which he af.
forwards kept
The next evening Jack received a mes
sage to say that Deb had such bad head
ache that she would be unable to go tc
Mrs. Danver's "At Home" and would
Jack 90 with Mrs Brooke and Felicia, OF
would he go by himself later onP He
sent an answer, saying that he would go
alone
Mrs Brooke and Felicia had just left
the house, when Mr.. Ffolliott's name wac
announced to Deb, who was lying on a
sofa.
Don't let me disturb you, Deb" he
said. Glow is your head?"
at is rather bad, she answered, feeling
vaguely surprised that he only shook hands
with her
al want to speak to you about some
thing, Deb. Do you feel well enough tc
bear a little conversation tonight?
should not ask you, but so rarely get o
chance OF seeing you alone"
Il am well enough to hear anything you
like to say Jack"
five years." he began abruptly.
She started, and her checks flushed WV
idly.
II know she said, in a low tone.
'Do you not think it is time we were
married." he asked, regarding her intent
ly.
''If you wish" she faltered.
"And you will marry me when 1 likef"
he went on, mercilessly.
Eyes, when you Ike" she answered, so
softly that he had to stoop to catch her
words.
He laughed a melancholy laugh, and
stood up suddenly.
Deb, my dear" he said, 81 am not GO
ing to ask any such sacrifice at your hands;
and | came here tonight to tell you that
I release you from your engagement to
me. You are free to marry whom you
please"
Deb coeld restrain her tears no longer,
and Jack drew her head against his shout
der in quite brotherly fashion and let
her cry on.
lyon poor little Debp he said, strolling
her hair gently you know, my dear,
that five years ago You and l made great
mistake; but / was far more to blame than
you. for | was years older. l must have
been mad to allow u child like you to en-
gage yourself to me; you were far too
young to know your own mind. l want
to remedy the wrong, and to see you look
like your dear bright little self again.
Give me your confidence, my dear, and
tell me Did you and Wyatt care for each
otherf'
Eyes" she whispered family.
81 a,m a hungling old fool!'' he said, with
q sigh u ought 20 have found out long
ago from your letters that you had ceased
to care for me. l shall 90 away to-mor-
row, and you must lose no time in an
nouncing the fact that our engagement is
at an end Wyatt will come back in time. ."
"Nevern sobbed Deb; and then she told
him all that had occurred between Captain
Wyatt and herself -...sa
"He will not listen to a word of explana-
,.on-he returned unopened a letter wrote
TO him. He told Felicia that he never
wanted tosee or speak TO me again-Imade
her tel me"
THAT was in the excitement OF the
moment, he viii forgive You in time"
Never" repeated Deb, hopelessly.