The Arkansaw traveler., 1889-11-23

vAtnly attempting to assume an expression or dig nifty entirely at variance with her MArdi -gras makeup.
 "Ladies and masqueraders, allow me to present my friends-Mr. Knowlton and MT. Everette. My cousin, La Boulanger, nee Miss Ethel Howard !; LAmbassador de Turko, nee Mile. Adele Daucine.
 The introductions were laughingly acknowledged by all save Knowlton who stood in the shadow of the doorway like one who was rooted to the spot.
 "Come-entrel" invited Parker.
 When Knowlton entered the room Ethel Howard glanced in his face then dropped to the floor in a swoon
 In him-she recognized the man who had periled his life to save her own.
 Tn her-he recognized the lady whose face was present in his minds eye, sleeping or waking.
 Thus they met, and, although during the rest of the season mutual acknowledgements were made, each instnctively felt the implied preference for the others society as they were almost uncon- sciously drawn together; and when in April Mrs. Parker signied her intention of chaperonipg Ethel during the following season at Long Branch, Knowlton decided he had business that required his attention in New York. Hence when the French steamer reached America in May, Knowlton and Everette stepped ashore, each bearing propor- tionate share of the handluggage belonging to Mrs. Parker and Ethel Howard.
 Throughout the summer season at Long Branch, Ethel's society was almost monopolized by Knowl- ton, who had the good will of her accommodating cAAperone, Mrs. Parker.
 Miss Howard" said Knowlton, in a hesitating way, while they sat aloof in a shady nook of the piazza and watched the shimmering sheen of the waves that dashed along the shore beyond, "Miss Howard, when do you expect your father2"
 "To-morrow morning, he said in his letter, ' she replied
 "And may I speak to him about the matter on which were talking last night, dear7" continued Knowlton, caressing her jeweled hand within his own.
 "Yes, Edgar, if you like"
 al must 1t seems though cannot wait even for his coming"
 "What Not wait twelve hours after waiting four years" bAdgered Ethel.
 When Mrs. Parker presented Knowlton to her brother, Colonel Howard the next day, the colonel started, hestated, then acknowledged the introduc- tion by a very frigid bow that i'll concealed 6 rapidly born aversion to Knowlton, who failed to notice 1t.
 After dinner Knowlton requested private inter- view with Ethers father, and the company on the piazzs were shocked few moments later to hear the choeric tones of the colonel he thundered a refusal of Edgars respectful request for his daugh ter's hand In marriage.
 "Allow my daughter to marry you Not if you were the last man In the world. My daughter shall never marry such 6 blasphemOus scoundrel as know you 10 be-not as long as can live to pre- vent it."
 thets, sir" quietly responded Edgar.
 "I do; and 1t makes no difference whether you do or not, sir"
 "I think 1t does, sir. You are laboring under eohie mS'aAc. As SoheieiiAn, iuoLuanu Ah cA Pia- nation"
 ':Gentiemani gentleman You have not the irst idea of the meaning of the word, don't believe If you have, you will not stay in my house after have emphatically signihed your presence Is not welcome, sir. You are 6 drunken blasphemer, and have heard your curses with my own ears. You have no respect for the God who made you. Go, sir, and never dare to address my daughter again"
 Edgar Knowlton reeled, then steadied himself and rallied from shock that three years previous would probably have killed him instantly
 "I will respect your request, sir" he said in firm tone, with compressed lips, as he bowed then, with blanched face, he stepped the piazza where the company had heard each word of the coonels tirade of abuse.
 "Everette," he asked, twill you mind excusing