The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-12-21


heart IS that | may have a part in con-
tElbutlng to your happiness"
sir Reginald pleaded his cause with ardor,
Dut there was something in Miss Goffin's
manner that checked his utterauce. She
Was neither trembling nor overwhelmed
| with confusion, as is the fashion Of maidens
| Wnent ey are about to accept their lovers !;
nor did she look panied and distressed as
women often do when placed under the
stern necessity of nipping an ilI-placed
affection in the bud. She stood with
her eyes fixed on him in searching
glance that at once chilled his ardor and
arrested his pleading.
Il am afraid have spoken too soon" he
SAID, with an apologize air, but could
not refrain
No, you have not spoken too soon, if you
really mean what you saw"
Gan you doubt mel" he asked, making
| an attempt to seize her hand, which she re-
sisted "Let my future devotion prove my
sincerity"
do not let us misunderstood each other, 3"
said Miss Coffin, wi b her eyes still steadily
| liked on his. What you ask for cannot
| be. l could have wished you had spo en-
ear Ter, If you must speak at all, to avoid
| giving you unnecessary disappointment.
| That was what meant to convey"
Am l so repugnant to your cried Sir
| Reginald, who was bitterly kumiliated by
his rebuff.
"No; repugnant is not the word, but do
not let US stop TO argue that. l am sorry
II | have wounded you. Pray forgive
| me-"
There is nothing 60 forgive" said Sir
Reginald, gloomily. II have been hasty.
| ought to have remembe ed that we have
known each other only short time, and
walted.n
Miss Coffin shook her head with mourn
| full emphasis
"You think it would have made no differ
ence," continued Sir Reginald, but my
| undue precipitation has not stood my friend
l won't ask you TO forget what have said
Rather would implore you to remember
| that my destiny is in your keeping
DO not let US prolong this interview"
said Miss Coffin, and let me beg of you not
to recur to the subject
| II cannot take your answer as final"
| said Sir Reginald. Let me at least hope
that may succeed in altering your resolu-
tion."
THAT is impossible" said Miss Coffin in
clear bell-like tones. let US join the
| others"
Zone moment" exclaimed Sir Reginald,
raising his hand in protest. Tell me be-
fore you go why you dislike me so muchl"
"Dislike is very strong word, Sir Regi-
maid. lam not conscious OF the feeling.
cannot bring my mind to look upon you in
the light of nus and. That is all.n
"But whyl Am | so utterly objection
abler' persisted Sir Reginald.
"Do not press me FIR my reasons. They
cannot be altered. You have proved a kind
host, and as the brother of Lady Polehamp
ton. of whose friendship am exceedingly
proud ] wis to cherish only feelings Of
kindness for you"
Sir Reginald felt himself checkmated
/, "a L, a.. ~, l,,.e
piqued, and reluctant 10 abandon the useless
contest without beating down Miss Goffln's
guard.
1t would be kindness to tell me what
have done to raise this icy barrier between
US, ;" he said. you evidently do not be
lieve in nv earnestness. but there is no teS
to which You can submit 1T that | shall not
prove equal to- Tell me TO wait; lay any
burden On me that you please. but give me
leave to try and win your love or tell me
why / am feted not to succeed"
"You press me very unfairly, Sir Regi
maid. think woman'S NO should BIZ
taken as final"
Not always. Women sometimes change
their minds."
"rhen must give you proof that shal
not change mine. Is that what you wantF
Eyes; that is my desire certainly. 1t wa,
not for light reasons that learnt to cherist
the nope OF winning your iOVe, ana can
not lightly surrender it."
az do not admit your right to press me in
this way; but, as you wish to know my rea
son for declaring my decision to be ire
vocable will crafty your wish if you will
answer me one question"
"What is that's" asked Sir Reginald
eagerly.
lis your past life such that you could dis
close to pure-minded woman2 Is thert
nothing there which you would wish t.
hidep
81 do not profess to be superior to othel
men," said Sir Reginald, with an uneasy
laugh.
You have compelled me to speak," CRIED
Miss Coffin, who was now trembling witt
suppressed excitement 81 would have
spared you if | could. | confess that tne
feelings with which you first inspired me
were those of sincere liking, and | thought
it possible that in you might fiud the com
panion and helper who would assist me tc
live my life; but began to suspect thai
you had worn out every pure and noble
feeling long before l met you. | did moi
condemn you even to myself on suspicion
| welcomed your society, hoping that my
suspicious might he laid TO rest. 1t was g
forlorn hope. have listened attentively tc
your lightest word. have watched your
every move .nelt had the right 10 do SO
not as your BueSO, perhaps, DuJ as out
woman whom you were see ling to make
your wife, AID who IL she had rushed or
her fate blindfold would have accepted you
for her husband. Alasi the result has beer
what feared. not what | hoped. l have
no wish to fathom the secrets of your life
What they are cannot divine; but Of this
I am confident, they are not fit for c
woman'5 ears who desires TO retain bel
sef-respect, and as l cannot share them
will not share the lot OF the man whose
they are"
Never before had Sir Reginald felt sc
awed in the presence of virture. He COW.
cred like eur beneath the lash Of Theresa
Coffin without a trace Of bitterness bui
with incisive manner dealt out TO him bitter
hotne-truths ~ hch he could not help admit
ting t. himself wore just, and iG was WIFE
a ours whine that he next spoke.
PITY me-" he cried. Under your in1u-
ence the future may repair the past"
It was che last straw that literally broke
do wn Theresa Coffin & patience. Her eye'
bazed in sudden wrathful contempt and
her whole form dilatsd with scorn that pos
ssssed her.
~ am not one Of those women who be-
lieye that IL is woman's mission 10 reform
rake by marrying him." she said with
freezing emphasis. And before Sir bsg
maid could rec yer from his surprise shs
swept pass him aud re-entered the ION.
Lady Polebamyton was not slow % per
celve that her plans mad come 20 grief. Sot
stole from her seat and Joine Tnere'a, who
- - 81 To-