The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1891-06-25

completely concealed, from peryerseness
OF girlish coquetry, he thought, and he
could only guess that she was fair be-
cause that would increase the pathoe Of
the situation.
Her amusement nettled him, and then
a swift sense of their relative position as
1t must appear to her thrilled through
him, producing tumble OF emotions
which made chaos of his mind. He
longed to put aside the soft gray folds
that hid her face, to possess himself of
her hand, to speak words which should
testify appreciation of the situation-to
commit some sort of folly or madness,
in short, to prove that he was a man and
sentient What brute she must think
him, he chafed; what soulless, sense
less block of wood he must appearl How
could she understand or do him justice,
ignorant as she was-and must remain
for hours-of the true state of the case?
Then he comfovted himself with the re-
fection that when the matter should be
made plain to her she would appreciate
his conduct
Are you tired, John?'
1t was the young lady who broke the
silence
"No," he answered, surprised.
1t seemed odd to him. at the moment,
that the woman should put that ques-
ton to the man.
You were so quiet that had to laugh.
1t seemed so funny to sit up like two
owls, never saying word to one an
other" she proceeded. "We are cousins,
you know, John, just the same as we
used to be- But perhaps you are in
pain?"-with quick change of voice.
"Are your Tell me at once. Ought
you to have come? I know it was the
money and that foolish clause in the
will about today. But for that we
might easily have waited until you were
strong again. Isn't travelling bad for
your"
Not at all bad" Royal hastily re-
sponded. "On the contrary, it is the
very best thing in. the world for me
| indeed, for US both. I'm much stronger
than you suppose He could hardly re-
strain a smile as he made the assertion.
1.-THE plans must not be changed. We
| must leave by that 2:2O train. 1t is inn
perative that we should. You are ready,
| | supposeT
! He intended to take her whether she
+ shonId be or not. but put the question
from sheer nervousness. Anything was
better than sitting beside her in a state
of absolute passivity.
"Oh, yes. My trunks were packed
some days ago, and all the arrangements
made. You were so expicit-so--so
masterfur'-with another ripping laugh.
"You have not changed in that, John.
| You love your own way still. Is it not
SO? But the arrangements need make
no difference. We can stay over day
or two to rest if it will be better for you
You will like to see the old place and to
visit Aunt Anne's grave. She was so
fond of you. We could stop over for
| that
But Royal would not hear of stopping
over for anything. His private feeling
toward the deceased lady was one Of dis
tine. animosity. He hoped orthodoxy
and vengefully that she might be doing
spiritual penance for the trouble and dis
tress likely to be entailed by the acts Of
her material life. and would gladly have
known that she was aware of the mis-
carriage of her plans and greatly tor
mented thereby. He generalized for 8
moment in regard to the old home and
the desire tosee it which he was expected
to feel; but he made it evident that ht
intended to leave by the first down train
Unlike brides in general, this young
lady appeared decile and amenable to Al
exceptional degree. Royal, in the mids
of his anxiety, wondered over her, ani
felt the soul within him moved to graft
tude. Then his professional experienc,
reminded him that women are usually
submissive to the power conferred b!
suffering. In the eyes Of this woman he
perhaps, appeared wounded hero.
Her next words made evident tina
such was indeed the case.
"That horrible accident" she mur
INJURED, and quick shudder ran through
her frame. II can't help feeling tina
half has not been told me-that yo'
have all conspired to keep the wors
back and make light of it, in order t
spare me pain. You poor fellow! hov
"a home coming like that, after 81,
years exile. When think of it all-o
what you have done for me-of wha
you are doing for me and enduring fo
! my sake-and then think of the anxiet
in store for you-for US both-I feel tha
. a lifetime of love and devotion viii
hardly pay interest on the debt ow
. you. Am worth it to you, John? Wi
: ever be worth it to yous'
Her voice trembled little, and Roys
had an intuition that she was holdin
Q of the heart, as though the blood la
been drained away. This was not th
. happy chatter of girl bride, loving an
Q beloved. Through this woman's voic
: pulsed an undercurrent of pathos, thrill
8 ing its sweetness like minor chords
a music. He felt, somehow, that in spit
!, of his best endeavor he was taking VI
: fair advantage of the man who ha
: trusted him, was getting glimpse int
arcana which no stranger unauthorize
e should penetrate. His pity grew apac
t and beside it developed devourin
: curiosity, until his very breast SCENE
q strained by stress and complexity I
!, emotion He yearned to speak to he
. but durst not for lack of proper wort
8 and an assured position, and so dumb
: waited, feeling that if she should col
q tinue to talk in that strain during Il
rest OF the drive he could not be held q
: | countable for his actions.
g She did not appear to notice his silen,
, or to be hurt by it; perhaps she was
Q some subtle way conscious of the tensie
q of his mood, or she may have been pr
Q occupied by her own thoughts For
+ little space there was silence.
n ssThat old time is so long ago that X
u can't love me in the old way. John.
8 IContinued on Second Page