Dodge City times., 1890-10-17
CHAPTER VIII.

Next day I attended to my duties at
the bank, went to my lodging. packed up
all my effects and returned to Wexham by
q late afternoon train. The bus was
waiting outside the station. I had nv
luggage placed on it and set of to walk to
Glendale House.
1t was between six and seven o'clock
q cold November evening-the fog so
dense you could not see three yards
ahead; but the road was familiar to me
and walked along in buoyant spirits,
cheered by the thought that every step
took me nearer to the charming girl whose
image was now never absent from my
mind. How many ages instead of hours
it seemed since We had said .Good-night!"
How would she greet me? There was no
dull sameness about this Incompatible
creature. Time could not wither, nor
custom stale her infinite variety" And
again thought of her rs my ideal Cleo
patra!
Iwalked faster and faster, and began
singing low to myself on the solitary road
the first song she had ever sung to me:
Should he upraid, III own that he prevail,
And sing he sweetly as the nightingale;
Say that he frown, I'll say his looks I view
As morning roses newly tipped with dew.
As morning roses tipped
Mr.. Dudley" exclaimed IN almost
breathless voice beside me.
l ceased singing and stood still.
please walk on slowly; I wish to speak
with YOU
1t was Edna Lynton.
Ioffered her my arm, but she declined.
May l ask you something something
that wish very much to know?'
"Of course you may.
And you will not think it mere idle
curiosity on my part? You will not mis-
judge
Il will answer to the best of my ability
any question you may put. As to imput-
ing to You an unworthy motive, think
you should know me little better than
to fear that"
How long have you known Miss Har-
greave, Mr.. Dudley"
care. George particularly wished thrt
Edna should not be told our secret, and
somehow I felt it would be extremely
awkward to tell her myself.
Since last SATURDAY. week. I believe
my acquaintance with her began the same
day as your own" This question, at any
rate, was easily replied to.
But she is-your cousin2"
NO"
"She is not related to you?"
Not in the very least. Has some one
told you so?"
Yes. But have begun to doubt it, or
would not have come here to meet you
now. came to tell you thst-on Satur-
day entered the sitting-room to bring
something had forgotten, and saw
saw-you understand"
What do you mean? Why do you
speak Of this2" asked, making An insane
attempt to laugh.
Because what saw should not have
been, unless
-Edna!"
Don't. Please don't make it moro dif-
fcult for me. Oh, the pain Of 1.-THE
pain Of it. 1 was abea to say-whsn you
stopped-that what saw should not
have been unless-unless there is moro
between you and Miss Hargreave than-s
kept silence. For some secondi a.
walked on thus. was in false positio
could not defend myself without con-
Please answer me, ct length she
pleaded. DO you wish to marry hsr?'
You are nght-as you always are. It
should mot have been unless-'
But You will not ask her YETI You
would not-could not-be so rashi A
few days acquaintanoe only! She is 90
beautiful. can imagine . man admir-
ing her immensely. But you must take
time to make quite sure Won love her and
she is-vorthy Of your love. P-9mise
you will take time-only promise you
will take timeis
And this iron Edna Lynten, Who, six
years before, hnd coldly, hoartlessly,
after encourAGiug ny leve. Eofused I'll
Wensa sze iaeeea sesanp tehQ. whom