Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1891-04-30

OuCe III u Willle every Douy 1nakeS u
mistake. This time everybody was
practically right. No one more thor
oughly than Hearn himself knew how
utterly he was in love with Georgia
Marshall, and nobody but Kenyon knew
that, yielding to the plea in his fathers
letter, Hearn might not return to the
regiment at all.
1t was joyous gathering at the Nor
rises, and yet there had been singular
conversion at the Lanes before Mabel
could induce her friend to go at all.
''Mr Hearn will certainly come and
ask to be your escort, said Mabel the
moment Mrs. Morris was gone. s'How
can you say nor
''He will ask you, Mabel, as l shall
not be visible, and you must accept. If
you will walk over there and back with
Mr.. Hearn, I will go; otherwise shall
have splitting headache and be confined
to my room
Elbow utterly absurd, Portal Every
body expects him to escort you. Mother
man in this post will ask you so long as
he is here. 1t is o foregone conclusion
that Mr.. Hearn VIII.
''That is why want you to go with
him. If l go it will be with Maj. Ken
yon.- And then Miss Marshall took the
flushed, perplexed, but lovely face of her
hostess between her slender hands and
kissed it. Mabel, must not 60 with
Mr.. Hearn. Some day I'll tell you why"
And then she ran to her room.
s'Tell me, indeed! know too well, I"
was the almost fearful answer. 'You
are prouder, far prouder, than I ever
was
And so, though she gained her point
for the time being, though Hearn had to
offer his services to Mrs. Lane when he
called and could not see Miss Marshall,
though Mabel went on that moody
young gentleman's arm and Miss Mar
shall followed with her stanch friend
the major-Hearn raging with jealous
pain the while-the time came when she
found her precaution of no avail. Mr..
Hearn was too much in earnest, too
deeply in love, to be longer held at bay.
'sMrs. Lane he stammered at last,
as they were walking homelate at night,
81 must speak to Miss Marshall. Sure
ly you know why. Have [ not your
good wishes? viii you not help me?"
How could Mabel Lane refuse2 Once
the gate was reached she bade both men
come in, though Miss Marshall would
have dismissed the major; and then
slipping from the parlor along the hall
way to the dining room she left Miss
Marshall to entertain her guests, while
with nervous hands she set forth wine,
and then presently called Kenyon, as
though to her aid. He came instantly,
and Miss Marshall would have followed,
but Hearn was too quick and sprang be-
fore her to the doorway. For three
four minutes, nervously, incoherently,
Mrs. Lane strove to keep up a laughing
chat with the bulky major; but he, too,
saw the ruse as he slipped his wine, and
neither was practiced in the art of dis
sembling.
Suddenly Hearn's footsteps, quick and
firm, were heard in the hallway, the
front door closed with sudden bang,
and without word to his hostess he
was gone. Mrs. Lanes heart sank with
in her. Conversation was at am end.
Kenyon stood for an instant in awkward
silence. Then Miss Marshall's skirts
were heard as she fairly rushed up the
stairs, and the major took himself off as
quickly as clumsy man could effect an
escape. An instant later Mabel Lane
stood at Georgia's door. 1t was closed.
''Portia, she called, IL low, pleading
tones, ''Portia, mayn't / come in?"
For moment no answer at all.
Georgia, dear, do speak to me-"
At last q quick. imDetuOus steD. the
ness, but as Mrs. Lane entered with OUT
stretched arms there came low, almost
wailing voice from the bedside:
''Oh, Mabel, Mabel, how could you%