The morning call., 1890-07-20

stead, Victoria, West Ham or Southwark,
proudly arm in arm. II Il Is the winter they are
on their way tout to tea This afternoon should
spring season, because 1t was nearly the end Of
April but cold northeast wind aud occasional
on the north side of Pail Mali girl walked up
and down the pavement.
She called at a certain house., and being turned
away, continued. as II waiting for some one and
resolved to see that person. to walk up and down
before the house. she began about o'clock in
the ,hs4 ana osaa she hs was vas
even the hall-porters OF the Carlton and the Re-
form clubs opposite. The evening was SO cold
that people hurried along the street without
looking at each other. Besides Pail Mall is NOT
a crowded Sunday thoroughfare. Therefore no
one noticed The girl. She was fair, lght-halred
girl; her features were regular and delicate, her
eyes were blue, her figure rather thin, but tall
and graceful. If any one had stopped to look at
her Instead OF hurrying along as II dashed with
whip by this abominable wind, he would have
remarked frst-generally, that there was an ex-
tremely pretty girl, and secondly, that here was
a girl in trouble Indeed, if anxiety were ever
depicted upon any face il was upon this girps
face; an anxiety which showed itself in
trembling Of the lips In quick, short signs as she
walked, in eager glances along the street as il
she we've asking when-when would be come?
II was al O'Clock, just as the sun was setting
and the lessening light like messenger pro-
claimed the fact from IT'S hidden lord, that he did
come He buried into Pail Mall from ST. James
street and walked RAPIDLY along, looking down;
young man.
this man, VINO seemed TO the girl so noble and so
brave, had become suddenly at the touch Of his
fathers hand the merest cur and coward of
man; he had promised thing which wanted, to
carry 1t through, the falsest, the coolest, the
cruelest of hearts. Fear OF poverty and dread
of bis fathers anger were the ruling forces which
transformed lover, manly, true and tender. into
cur. The thing makes one trembe. Under
what influences brother of mine, should we two
put of the amor OF the knight and reveal the
craven tail Of the mongrel cur?
Yet this man, who was going to do so mean
and vlllalnous a thing at MS fathers bidding
had so much OF his fathers courage In him that
he was ready TO tell the girl In so many words,
face to face with her alone, what he meant.
Come" he said, 81 was going to write to you;
but there wond have been row aflerward.
Better have it out in words"
"Harry-what is it? What has happened?
Why do YOU look so stranger
"COme upslairS"-he led the way, His cham
bers were on the first floor. He raked up the
low ashes of his hre and threw on some coal.
sit down" he said; you must be cold"
kiss her, as was his won't He offered no caress
at all. She sat down. however and warmed her
hands and feet. She was very cold. Then she
started up again.
., Something has happened Harry. What is it i?
Tell me instantly
Ii was growing dark now. The young man lit
the lamp and pulled the curtains slowly, as if
taking as much time possible over the job.
1T is a fortnight since have heard OF you or
must lell you"
Don't tell me anything. Look here. Ruth, It's
all over"
"All over? How can 1t be all over?"
81 say-lt is all over"
"DO you mean that after all You will have to
acknowledge me without your fathers permits
siou?"
mot quite; mean what say. Ruth. 1t is all
longer. nor cold, but fired with sudden strength
Harry. what do you mean?"
We had very pleasant time in the August
holidays, hadn't we, Ruth? | shall always look
back TO that lime in the old town when we used
to sit and make love in tue garden under the null
berry tree. Yes-I shall never have such a time
again. But that's all over. Pity that good times
never last"
81 don't understand you to-day, Harry. Why
can't you look me In the face? What have you
s"When I came back to town found out that it
wouldn't do. l couldn't exactly explain to you
why II wouldn't do. Besides. to tell the truth. /
hoped II would do. l might have been made
partner without conditions, or-or anything may
happen. The truth is, OF course, as L suppose
you guess" he raised his eyes and faced her
boldly, THAT they want me to marry lady"
Size received this brutality without hinching.
You have told them. suppose, that you are
married already? Pr
mo. have not. should Tell them, OF course,
II / could afford IL. But | can't. The old man
has found out all about you, Ruth, don't know
how. He's not bad sort, the old man; all he
says is 'eut IT, that's ALL"
Ruth drew her breath quickly. On her pale
cheek showed spot Of color.
4" Cut IT, he says and you shall be a partner
Keep il on aud you shall be 4 beggar'
"Thaps the situation, Ruth" lie threw him.
self into chair with iaudabe assumption of
carelesSness. "a beggar.s There is nothing in
the world that can do. l don't know any trade
Il can't do anything. There isn't man in the
world more helpless than when 1t comes TO do
ing any WORK that will pay. SO, you see. as
can't afford 10 be a rauper, and it would only
make things for you worse il L made you pau
per, too. Eve made up my MIND that the only
thing for US TO do Is 10 cut Ito have done
with ito separate-to 60 as if we had never
met"
:, But we cannot, Harry. 1t Is too late to talk
OF such thing"
1t is never 100 late. That is my resolution,
Ruth"
-" Good heavens Why, we are married.
Have you forgotten that 70
Are we ?''
Are we not ?"
Look here. Rutb,' he threw himself into 4
chair and tried to assume fine air OF careless
ness, as II the matter was one OF very small i'm
pOrtance. - So long as there was any chance at
all for Us | was willing TO 90 on. But there
isn't. IL would be only cruel TO you to keep up