The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1889-02-21

dlenant glance in those clear gray ones
confronting her. then she laughs nerv-
ously and says with meaning:
PERHAPS am not the only friend that
has failed lord Francis ErldOn ere
now
The stab gUes home. as Il WIS meant
10 do. OF truth, had the great heiress
said him YEA" instead of may how
different all might now have been!
As Mrs. Fairfax passes on her way,
Janet still stands in the same place, mus
ing deeply-and starts when a well
known voice says quietly:
MAY have this yalse, Miss Harding,
II you are not engagedf Its called the
'Fahrwohl, ~ l. singularly appropriated
the occasion," and Lord Francis Erldon
laughs pleasantly at his own bitter lest
Janet bows her head In acquiescence
but makes no reply.
After only one turn. feeling that her
courage Is rapidly dwindling, Miss Hard
Ing says desperately:
Il don't want 10 dance, Lord Francis
Please may we go and sit DOWN
by all means ! don't feel much In
q dancing humor, either! And you
wanted 20 speak to me, did you not. Miss
Harding:"
Mot here says Janet. hurriedly.
~AcroSs the staircase is nv cousins
boudoir; that room is fairly quiet at
least"
Very well. you must guide me, for I
don't know the intricacies of this man
sion"
Francis Erldon spoke as lightly as II
no dark shadow were hanging over his
life. Without a word they take their
seats on Lady Maberley's own sofa.
From across the corridor the music Of
the band steals softly into the room.
As one Of the most charming writers
Of the day has said: There Is an indie
sCrilable underlying pathos in dance
music-everybOdy knows it: lIeaTtacbe
behind all the laughter. a wcariness
below all the rapid movcment-a ques-
ton, a doubt, a misgiving under all the
radiance and joy
Perhaps il was this feeling which
caused long unbroken silence 10 fall
upon the pair now listening 60 the mu-
sizes far of strains; but at last Francis
Erldon turns towards his companion and
saws quietly:
What was Il YOU had tn say 10 me,
Janet! Forgive me for calling yUn by
that name, tut probably IL il the last
time on earth sllall even 10 err, for il
will lie long time ere ] src oil England
again, and who knows what ihuSc -ears
NAV hrinr forth"
Miss Harding either will not or can
not answer. Her face il turned away.
and he cannot see the unShed tears in
her sad. gray eyes, nor can he note the
r
face.
Il know vou have little faith in me.
Janet. hut even now. when il las come
to the last words between Us. ] d. not
regret that ] told you the truth all
through
Hiscompanion makes a desperate effort
tn reply, but an inarticulate inurmur il
the only result-the words III not come,
You were so true and honest your
Salf. dear that some power strunger than
NV own constrained me tu H. the same,
somehow. and never thought YOU would
not h.lieve me, That hurt worst of all.
think"
4 sudden and uncomfortable sob from
Janet falls like thunder clapon his ears
MY dear child, for Gods sake don't
rrv'" he eXclaims anxiously. 1t was
ma fault Of yours. dear. and I'm ten times
happier now that at least We part friends.
We do do that. ] think. don't We. Tell
me-what WAS il you wished Ia say TO
inc. Janet:
There is an instant's silence. during
which proud wumans soul is fighting
uut desperate iight-then Janet Hard
ing's voice rings out clear and true:
will You marry me, Lord Francis.
now
PetTiii"d establishment causes Francis
Erllon 10 keep silence for quite half
a minute. Tan she mean II: j. IL pos
slide that she would marry him now,
when absolute ruin j. his portion: IL
she doubted his honesty Of purpose be
fore. how much more might she not
doubt IL now No. u could lie nothing
hut girls sentimental sympathy for a
man tO " HON fate has dealt hard blow.
NV dear. he saws grIVUlv and quietly,
hut the treInuT in his Vuice shows how
deeply he j. moved. Il shall respect and
honor you Ia nv diving day for your
brave. true wOmanlincSs. for ] can real
izc what IL cost Won 10 say those words.
But. INV darling. ! love you tOu well To
acCept what you offer nIe, for know that
Il j. prompted by sweet compassion alone.
and | will not take that! Nv own, for
give me though ! feel rs reckless as
only ruined man can feel. have not
sunk 30 low n tu lie sutton for your
charity. sweet and kindly though il he"
But. Lord Francis. il is not charity.
or Compas~iun either" Here Miss Hard
ing's cheeks blushcl for her. but she
gucs an brayclv: 1t was all mistake.
Don't YOU see that il was not I who did
nUt-nnt care for YOU! II was you that
believed did not care for me- The
low voice tFcmblcs enough, but the clear,
true eyes hook him 20 frankly and con-
fidingly in the face that Francis EaTldon
cannot Chonsc hut believe her.
MY darling" j. all he SAYS. but his
voice has so changed its tone that Miss
Harding finds courage 10 Law one small
hand on the arm nearest her, and 10 OBJ
serve pathctirally:
You r. not going to refuse me. Lord
Francis. are YOU: