The morning call., 1890-11-11

| pulled up at the hotel and jumped down 10
| help Gertrude allght
| She said nothing. and did not meet my
| eyes as she ran up the steps.
| marked that night at dinner that chances
| were both directed to Gertrude and eyes
| averted right and lei but she did not appear
| to notice it.
After dinner / went to the reading-room
| preparing to smoke. saw Gertrude sit
| ting on the piazza alone, directly
! outside the window, the dusk preventing
| her seeing me.
| Two ladies entered the room, one relating
| In an unnecessarily loud voice the story that
had gone the rounds during the day.
saw Gertrude rise to her feet ana listen
| intently, then turn and walk down the steps
toward the beach. took my hat and waited
| until saw her enter a pavilion at the end
of the walk, then followed heS II was
nearly dark. She was walking rapidly up
and down, her plain white gown falling be-
| hind her, She faced me as | entered.
"You?" she cried; then added rapidly, her
eyes full of tears, II am very miserablel
I've been all wrong from the first L should
| not have come to this place"
"Don't mind them-the fiendsp' l said.
taking her hand. "Of course you should
come here! You ought not to stay away
from the seashore just becanse-because of
those" Numbered horribly, knew it.
81 should not have come, She replied,
| looking steadily at me.
Gertrude" l cried, desperately, emo, do
not move your eyes-look at me and tell me
you don't hate me, too. l love you.& Be my
wife, and let me help you bear it all"
! She drew her hands away, yet did not
take her eyes from my face.
Your wife, and you do not know whether
| lit is truew
This is not the time for me to ask you
that l have loved you from the first mo-
ment l saw you. Gertrude, you know II.
Tell me-tell me n0w?' l exclaimed pas
sionately.
A great tenderness shone from her eyes,
| but she said in a repreSsed voice:
"Yes. knew it; you are willing TO marry
a penniless girl of whom people are trying to
| make dark mystery"
Il am willing 10 bear anything but to hear
you say you do not love me-"
Her whole face changed, and she reached
her hands out to me with thrilling note OF
Joy in her voice.
"Oh, | did not mean to, but could not
help it. Philip, you know love you.'
| Yes. | knew then.
About an hour afterward we strolled to-
ward the house and were met by Starch, who
was in a flutter of fear.
"Oh, sir! Oh miss! madam's in an awful
way. You'd better so at once, sir She sent
me to hunt you
Dear, dear! What's the matter with
her." asked.
"She's all worked up along of hearing
things tonight sir"
AS the woman spoke, she favored Ger
| trude with glance that made my blood boil.
drew my loves hand through my arm,
"Philip, am going with you, she said,
"Oh, my dear sakes! gaSped Starch,
| tumbling up against the door.
We entered my godmother's room to-
| gether She was seated in her armchair.
but Immediately got upon her feet
"How dare ynuY" she cried; "hussy!
| Leave the room"
stop, MADAME 1 cried sternly. This
lady is my promised wife"
WHAT she shrieked. "This-this ad-
ventNress, whose name is"
Gertrude stepped forward and raised her
| head proudly.
"Surely, madam, you ara not ashamed of
| your own good name. Mine Is Gertrude
| May Courtneyl'
ITS a lier' cried godmother. sinking
down in her chair.
| It's the truth" said my heart.
| Gertrude did not quail.
1.-The Courtneys are not liars" she said
coolly; then turning to me, Philip, do you
forgive me? l am the East Indian heiress,
the prig, and the wild"
Stop-stop!" | cried.
81 was not willing TO be given to man
did not know. IL did it Intentionally. /
| followed you here. Philip, /"
Her voice broke with little sob. / took
her hands, too happy to speak. My dearest
| had my own good name with no stain upon
ii.
looked in amazement at my godmother.
She was for once startled almost into calm.
rs this true" she asked. looking from
one to the other, more as an old woman
would than had ever seen her look before.
81 am the daughter of your nephew. Gen
eral Courtney" said Gertrude. 81 have
letters from my guardian, who will come if
necessary to prove what say"
And the blaek-faced woman"
"Only my companion who came from
abroad with me-"
My godmother suddenly bent forward and
scrutinized Gurtrude's face, and leaning
back in her chair, said:
Il need no further proof. / never noticed
it before. Philip she added, Selling her
| cane, II knew you were making a fool of
| yourself, but | did know l was so near
doing the same thing! 1t is the first time"
she turned to Gurtrude, whose hands had
chung nervously 10 mine after the first brave
words, that oman has got ahead of me. 1
congratulate you! Shes too plucky for you,
Philip"
And too good for me-" replied
Starch. turn them out and pack up; we
leave Tomorrow" said godmother.
Gertrude stepped gracefully forward and
took her hand.