The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1891-08-05
CHAPTER XI.

am very glad" What did those words
meanY AS Harlan Otis held for q moment
the cold hand of Alice he wondered IL her
remark had referred TO his unexpected ar
rival. Their eyes met. but he was not en-
lightened by her glance. Perhaps she was
pleased to see him, but her pale face was
non-committal in its expression as she ut
tered the requisite eeremonious words Of
| mingled surprise and welcome.
This is, indeed, an unexpected pleas
ure, Mr.. Otis" she remarked quietly. II
did not know that you contemplated q
European trip"
The young man gazed at her In silence O
moment and then grasped tho outstretohed
hand Of John Upper 1nman. The honor
bestowed by such u clasp was appreciated
by our hero, for he flushed slightly as the
famous American said impressively:
Mr.. Otis, we are delighted to see you.
trust that you left our great republic in
"Yes-I think did," answered Harlan.
somewhat dazed by the broad grasp OF the
ex-diplomat's remark. The fact was that
our hero did not feel qualified to testify
as TO the existing status OF Dakota, LOUISE
ana, or other remote corners of his native
land.
81 regret" continued Mr.. Inman, not
noticing his guests hesitancy, that an
engagement calls me away. But / leave
you In good company" Waving his hand
toward Alice, he added, My daughter,
here can give you the very latest descrip-
ton OF Charles Lambs footprints and
Lord Byron's haunts. Good evening.
hope to see more of you soon. II you have
nothing better to do join US In the coffee
room tomorrow morning at nine"
An instant later Harlan Otis and Alice
Inman found themselves alone.
You are really glad to see me, them"
asked Otis rather awkwardly, Us he seated
himself before her.
At crisis where two loving hearts Vi
brate with emotions that they must con-
ceal. the woman always has the advantage.
Alice Imam was at that moment mistress
Of the situation. In the first place, she
knew that she was becomingly dressed.
This conviction is a source OF strength to o
sensitive maiden and has been known to
make difference In the words and deeds
Of married woman. Then again, she had
refused this mans hand. BY instinct she
knew that he had crossed the ocean to find
her, but that she was fattered by this at
tention she would not let him see.
"0f course l am,' she answered In
voice as calm and cold as an Arctic night.
"Ive been just little homesick to-day"
Otis smiled rs her tone softened some
what while she uttered the last sentence.
AS he looked at her he forgot what he had
sacrificed by coming to her--a woman's
heart, fathers wish. The unwonted
paleness of her face and the dark shadows
beneath her eyes added to her beauty and
In some peculiar way seemed to fiatter the
young mans vanity.
"You do not like England, then?"
Indeed, dc" she answered London
seems to me the most delightful spot on
earth"
would she have said so much an hour
ngo2" asked Harlan TO himself. Perhaps
the same question crossed her mind at
that moment, for she flushed slightly as he
glanced at her with smile ON his hand
some, clean-cut face.
Will you be here long" he queried in
ceremonious way.
mo. We go to Paris at once"
Indeed? lam very glad. l am bound
there myself. hope we may be fellow
travellers"
His voice trembled slightly and his
hands twitched nervously. He longed to
throw his arms around this fair girl and
tell her Of his love- But In her manner
there was something that restrained him,
something that made him feel his un-
worthiness, that touched his conscience as
though spirit voice had whispered Of his
past.
Your stay In London, then. will be very
short" remarked Alice, not re-echoing the
wish he had Just expressed. you have
been here before?"
mo This Is my first trip abroad"
Then advise you not to snub London
for Paris. Perhaps shall like France,
but, / assure you, this city has been an un-
ending source Of delight to me. / hate to
leaye 1t. AS a poet you will find here
thousand things to inspire you. I almost
feel as though could write something
worth reading myself
She said all this gently, quietly, coldly.
The egotist before her realized that her
words meant more than was shown upon
the surface. They formed o delicate but
firm rejection OF his proposed escort. Why
had she thus declined the .overtures he had
made toward q re-establishment of the
status quo anteY She does not love you
said Humility. "She cannot trust herself"
Vanity. Harlan Otis had cher
Ished for years q strong admiration for
the clear-sightedness OF Vanity He,
chose to follow the lead Of that
alluring guide and closed his ears peremp-
torily to the whisper OF Vanity's great an
tagonist. Braced by this decision no re-
marked boldly:
Continued on 4th page.