The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-11-24
.o,rc oours later, SINKING into chair as

"You look awfully done" returns Mas
sareenc with deep solicitudc-
az am tired. confess IL. With all this
anxiety upon my mind, TO be obliged to
90 about among tho guests and apologize
20 III I'm for poor Lady Vnlworth's absence,
was moro trying than knew. Auntle
was of no help ct all She was thorough
lv inset herself, and for the first hour un-
presentablc. Then she ratified little,
but to hardly any purpose. Oh, Geraidi
what terrible evening this has beenF'
at has had its good side, however
You are free. p"
"Frec--yes"
"To let me love you.
al have had no time to think OF that
She regards him earnestly for moment.
"You will compel me to believe you sell
FISH. - she says slowly.
els It selfish 70 consider above every
thing the welfare Of the ono best beloved'
II SO. plead guilty tell you | have
thought of nothing since-since Boyics
expose -lut the fact that you have oeen
delivered out Of the hands Of such man.
Zone must think Of Nadine.
GLOW is she nowsn ''Well, but still
terrified. His violence did her no bodily
harm, but she is oppressed by nervous
horror. and will not consent TO remain
alone for even a moment.
She ia now in the morning room with
Mr.. Duran and auntie."
"You were surprised about Duran
Weren't yong When she called out TO
him that time, and when he caught hcr
I'm his arms, | could hardly believe my
senses. Well, II is good exchange ior
her. Maurice Duran is handsome, ana
rich. and her hearts chosen. She is
lucky girlV'
care YOU unluckys" He asks the ques-
ton wistfully, looking down at her with
his plain, kindly face rather disturbed
al am ugly and poor, and not altogether
sure that am the chosen OF ner WIN 10
all the world TO me-
"Ohl You are youf' returns she senteh-
tiously "And rs for Maurice Duran,
would not marry him, even II he had the
grace 70 ask me-"
"And you will marry me'' eagerly
Cline will prove that"
She laughs at him n little saucily rom
under her long lashes and holds out 10
him hand with such dainty sweetness as
brings him TO her feet at once'
MY darling girll'
"A darling girl, no doubt but not
yours yet, however"
"And why not, since you are freey'
II was quite free all along, II seemsV'
exclaims she with quick flash OF
wounded pride that brings the hot blood
| 10 her cheeks She springs from her seat
and PAGES rapidly up and down the room:
Presently she stops short before him, and
lifts her dark, angry eyes TO his. Il
wonder YOU have not too much pride TO
care for the woman who was despised by
that thief" she says, with angry excite
ment.
II care for Millicent Grey. It's absurd
to dwell upon such a thing" returns he
strongly.
"Shall ever forget il, wonder-to be
rejected by such as hint To learn from
his own lips that was merely used as
blind: that while paying attention to me
his whole heart and soul was devoted to
anotberr'
"Butwhat a soul and heart you should
| consider that"
1.-THE meaner they are, the more re-
sent his conduct. And 10 say it before
them all,-my aunt, Lady ValwOrth, Sir
Thomas, youl When he thus scorned me
publicly, with that evil smile upon his
| lips. had only one wish left
"And that?n
"That ] were man, tothrust the words
back in his throat and kill him"
And yet you held me from him at the
moment lie is still in the house, how
ever will compel him TO apologize
to- begins the hot Irishman, making
for the door.
"No, il would be useless" interposes
she. quickly at is done it cannot be
undoue, and surely his mother has suffered
enough. There must be no further dis
turbance.
81 can follow him. however
IL tell you, you could never undo what
| Is done. Let him go; he is not worth
notice. l should be ashamed to confess
that his sting hurt me. And We are
bound 10 remember his mother
"Ah! poor Lady Valworth She indeed
| is the one 10 be pitied.
$50 you would say, could you see her
nown
"Where is shef"
"In her own room. Sir Thomas was
with her. His grief for her was very
touching, but she seemed, | thought, i'm
patient underit. She looked Old, crushed,
| brOkenN
Millicent turns aside, but not before he
can see that the hot tears are running
down her checks.
poor womanl" says he softly. And
then: "My darling, you are worn ont
You have been thinking for every one.
Let me now think for you. You want
rest Let me persuade you 10 lie down
for little while"
1T would be useless. | could not sleep.
The very air is heavy with trouble. As
long as that man remains in the house |
hardly know how any of MS can breathe.
"That difficulty will be conquered in
few hours He will leave, of course, by
the early train.
81 suppose so. His poor mother!'
"Millicentl Try 10 forget il all for
awhile at least. Think of something
else he pauses and looks at her en-
treatingly. could you not think OF
mey'
IF hadn't you to think of | should 90
mad. " returns she, with sudden soft vehe
mence. She holds ont her hands TO him.
"You are my one comfort" she whispers
brokenly.
They do not hear the door OPEN and in
deed she is still in his arms when Mrs.
Brands voice falls on their ears.
''Is this what you call taking little
rest'g she asks, with deep reproach.
There is, however, no anger in her tones
he looks too sad, too depres ed for any
open demonstrations of annoyance.
"Mrs. Brand says Massareene, adj
vancing eagerly toward her. you know
how il is with me and Milliccnt You
must have known for a long time. Now
that this unhappy affair has left her once
again her own mistress, do not refuse to
let me plead my cause
Mrs. Brand has sunk into n chair
"You are very persistent" she says,
tapping her fingers upon the table near.
Because am very much in love"
"And MillicentN'
81 dare TO hope that she-has found
some room in her heart for me-"
LET her speak for herself, says Mrs.
Brand, with faint touci. Of impotence.
| s\Veu Nfillicpnt how ie IL with vousf