The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1890-08-22


fenced husband. wasrar beyond i,--.- -
was ashamed of his.own thoughtssanlin-
slant after, and bitterly upbraided him
self that he was not thankful that they
could have had so attentive and thought
full an aid as Noel well knew how be.
Yet-why was not Reginald sufficient
He had torn into fragments the an
onymous sheet that had met him at the
reservation, and yet its words were
gnawing at his heartstrings now. and he
could not crush them down:
"Why was your engagement denieR
Because she still cared for Win Rossiter
and hoped he might come back 10 her
after all.
"Why did Gordon Noel stay at the
other hotel the second and third times
he spent Sunday at Deer Park? Be-
cause she wished to hide from her
mother, as she did from you, that he
came at ALL
why does she meet him on the street
instead of at home? Because her father
interposed in your behalf; but all the
same you are being betrayed"
These words, brothers exactly of their
import, were what met his startled eyes
at Chiricahua, but the instant he noted
that these carefully type written sem
fences were followed by no signature at
all-not even the oft abused "a Friend"
indignation and wrath followed close
ON the heels of his amaze, and in utter
contempt he had destroyed the cowardly
sheet; but he could not so easily conquer
the poison thus injected IN his veins.
All the long, long journey to the east
they haunted him, dancing before his
eyes, sleeping or waking, and it was with
haggard face and wearied frame that he
reached the Queen City, and, taking a
cab, drove at once to her home.
1t was lovely evening in early Octo-
Der. The sun had been shining brilliant
ly all day hong, and almost everywhere
doors and windows were open to WOO
the cool air now gently stirring. The
cab stopped before the well remembered
steps, and Lane FASTENED to the broad
doorway. No need to ring; the portals
stood invitingly open. The gas burned
brightly in the hall and in the sitting
room to the left. He entered unhesitat-
ingly, and stood all alone in the room
where he had spent so many happy
hours listening to the music of her voice,
watching the play and animation in her
lovely face. He caught glimpse of his
own, gaunt, haggard, hollow eyed, in
the mirror over the old fashioned man
tel. What was he that he should have
won creature so radiant, so exquisite?
There was the heavy portiere that
shut off the little passage to the library.
His football made no sound in the deep,
rich carpeting. 1t was there she well
coined him that wonderful Friday after
noon-that day that was the turning
point, the climax, of his life. Harkl
was that her voice, low, sweet, tremu-
lous in there now? Hush! Was that
SODA woman's suppressed weeping?
Quickly he stepped forward, and in an
instant had thrust aside the second por-
there; but he halted short at the thresh-
old, petrified by the scene before him.
Mabel Vincent, clasped in Gordon
Noels embrace, her arms about his
neck, gazing up into his face with al
most worship in her weeping eyes, raised
her lips to meet the passionate kiss Of
his. my darling" he murmured, ''what
can you fear? Have you not given me
the right to protect your" And the
handsome head was tossed proudly back,
and for one little minute was indeed
heroic. Then. with instantaneous change,
every drop of blood fed from his face,
leaving it ashen, death like.
''Gordonp she cried, "what is it? Are
you ill?'
Then, following the glance of his star
ing eyes. she turned and saw and swooned
away.
TO BE CONTINUED.