The Forrest City times., 1891-05-22
CHAPTER III.

You are late" says Arthur Dyne- court in low tone. There is no anger in it; there is indeed only desire to show how tedious have been the mo- ments spent apart from her.
 Have you brought your book. or do you mean to 20 through your part with out it2' Florence asks, disdaining to notice his words, or to betray interest in anything except the business that has brought them together.
 Il know my part by heart" he re- spends, in strange voice.
 Then begin,' she commands some- what imperiously, the very insolence of her air only gives an additional touch to her extreme beauty and fires his ardor.
 "You desire me to begin?" he asks unsteadily.
 If you wish it."
 "Do you wish it2"
 T desire nothing more intensely than to get this rehearsal over,' she replies tmpatiently.
 You take no pains indeed to hide your scorn of me" says Dynecourt bit terly.
 "Iregret it, if have at any time treated you with incivility," returns Florence, with averted eyes and with in creasing coldness. Yet must always think that, for whatever has happened, you have only yourself to blame"
 "Is it crime to love youg' ho de- mands boldly.
 "Sir, ,"she exclaims indignantly, and raising her beautiful eyes to his for a moment. T must request you will never speak to me of love. There is neither sympathy nor common friend liness between us. You are we'll aware with what sentiments I regard you"
 ~But, why am I alone to be treated with contemptp" he asks, with sudden passion. All other men of your ac- quaintance are graciously received by you, are met with smiles and kindly words. Upon me alone your eyes rest, when they deign to glance in my direc- tion, with marked disfavor. All the world can see 1t. l am signaled out from the others as one to be sighted and spurned."
 -You forget yourself" says Florence contemptuously T have met you here to-day to rehearse our parts for next Tuesday evening, not to listen to any tnsolent words you may wish to address to me. Let LIS begin"--opening her book. If you know your part, go on." T know my part only too well; 1t is to worship you madly, hopelessly Your very cruelty only serves to heighten my passion. Florence, hear mel"
 T will not" she says, her eyes fash ing. She waves him back from her as he endeavors to take her hand. "Is it not enough that have been persecut- ed by your attentions-attentions most hateful to me--for tho past year, but you must now obtrude them upon me herey You compel me to tell you in plain words what my manner must have shown you only too clearly-that you are distasteful to me in every way, that your very presence troubles me, that your touch is abhorrent to mel"
 @Ah," he says, stepping back as she hurls these words at him, and regard ing her with face distorted by pas sion, If I were the master here, in- stead of the poor cousin--ifI I were Sir Adrian---your treatment of me would be very differentl"
 At the mention of Sir Adrian's name the color dies out of her face and she grows deadly pale. Her lips quiver, but her eyes do not droop.
 T do not understand you," she says proudly.
 Then you shall.' responds Dyne- court Do you think am blind, that can not see how you have given your proud heart to my cousin. that he has conquered where other men have failed; that, even before he has de- clared any love for you, you have, in spite of your pride, given all your af- lection to hims"
 @You insult me-" cries Florence with quivering lips. She looks faint, and is trembling visibly, If this man has read her heart alright, may not all guests have read it tooy May not even Arias. h,rxvaIf hax Itu.,A,.araI k.,r cret passion, and perhaps despised her for 1t, as being unwomanlyY
 And more,' goes on Dynecourt, ex- ulting in the torture he can see he is iniiictlng; though you thrust from you an honorable love for one that lives on- ly Tn your imagination, will tell you that Sir Adrian has other views, other intentions. 1 have reason to know that, when he marries, the name of his bride will not be Florence Delmaine.'
 Leave me, sir,' cries Florence, rous- ing herself from her momentary weak ness, and speaking with all her old Are, .aa;n ana meyer rsl, presume to address me
 She points with extended hand to the door at the lower end of the gallery. So standing, with her eyes strangely bright, and her perfect figure drawn up to its fullest height, she looks superb in her disdainfuI beauty.
 Dynecourt, losing his self-posscssion as he gazes upon her, suddenly filings himself at her feet and catches her dress in his hands to detain her.
 Have pity on me- he cries implor- tngly; it is my unhappy love for you that has driven me to speak thusl Why s Adrian to have. all, and I nothingP He has title, lands, position-above aAd hayond aysxYthins. thA pxicolea1