Mexico weekly ledger., 1891-08-20

sonably obnoxious to the fortune hunt
ing charge
At half-past ten O'Clock on the morn
ing of the twenty-sixth Of February the
studio he'll rang and Olympia and her
mother entered. Keppel Darke rose from
the sofa on which he had been lying and
stood before them. Ills face was pale,
his hair disheyeled and his eyes dry and
heavy. His expression was gloomy and
distressed. Owing to lack Of sleep, a
painful emotion OK ONE other cause, he
seemed dazed and hardly to know what
he was about. He replied to Olympia's
cheerful greeting only with d troubled
stare and an inarticulate murInur.
81 am afraid Mr.. Darke is not well,
my dear said Mrs. Raven in an under
tone. In fact, the good lady thought he
had been acting rs young men viii some
times act during the night and was not
yet sober.
ais anything the matter demanded
Olympia, coming forward TO shake hands
with him, unsuspicious of evil, at once
smiling and sympathetic. "You do
look pretty badl Have you a h~eadache?'
He did not seem to see her outstretched
hand. Nothing is the matter" he said,
clearing his throat. i've had a bad
night. I1nean, I've had bad news. Ican't
go on with the portrait this morning"
Olympia, 1 thing we had better CO."
said Mrs. Raven ap~prehensively.
"But Cousin Harry's birthday is day
after tomorrow" exclaimed Olympia.
IF the portrait isn't done today, it will
be no use. Won't it do as it is?7 and
she advanced t remove the veil that
hung before il,
Darke intercepted her with a gesture.
mo" he said; he can't have it; he
won't want It'll"
Not want my Portrait" Olympia
opened her eyes.
He cant have itr' repeated Darke,
almost savagely. Its mine! Let him
keep you: that's enoughF'
why, how queerly you talk, Mr..
Darke," said Olympia, eying him grave
ly. "What has happened: Aren't we
friends?'
"Oh, l beg your pardon for being a
fool" returned the artist, in~conseguent-
ly."
Olympia stood silent 8 moment. ~
didn't think you could be so absurd"
she remarked, at length, and turned
away.
Watt said Darke. in an imperious
tone. She faced him again with a flush
on her cheeks. Il have been absurd" he
went on, "but now I'm done with it.
II You had told me whom you We're to
marry, I should never have begun it."
II to marry!' repeated Olympia, lift
ing her head.
My dear, I am afraid Mr.. Darke is
not himself; We had better CO." inter
posed Mrs. Raven, shifting from one
foot to the other i'll d kind of suidued
dance OF anxiety.
"Oh, its nj secret. You are to be
Mrs. Harry Trent. Yes, l have it on the
best authority" Here he dropped his
sarcastic tone and spoke with passion.
what have l done that you should hu-
initiate IRe? Do you think it a joke that
a man like me should love you? Well, a
woman maj insult a man, but if
Mr.. Darke, it is all u mistake" she
interrupted. Il have no intention of
marrying my cousin-Inever had. Who
ever told you SO said what was untrue.
| could not know you loved me until
you said 50 yourself: but if L had known
it I should not consider it a joke, but
IN hQnOr-one'-
"Olyrpia!" cried Darke. with Il vihra-
ton Of the voice. The expression of his
face was entirely changed: it seemed to
radiate light and fervor. The whole
MAI heightened and expanded. She
met his eyes, blushing deeply. He cane
a step nearer and held out his hands,
Don't let me be mistaken again!' he
said, below his breath.
Our unprecedented acts are meal
culable. Olympia did not know how it
happened; still less did she hear her
mothers dismayed expostulation, She
only knew that she was in Keppel Darke's
arms and that he had kissed her. Had
any told her ten minutes before that
such a thing could occur she would have
been indignant. AS it was she found it
strangely agreeable.
But after q few moments she extri-
Gated herself and caught her breath.
"Who told you that story about meT' she
asked.
"Your Cousin Harry himseifi' he re-
piled. 81 saw him last night and asked
him whether l might tell you that
loved you. He said that it would be
better not, for he intended marrying you
himself. l was so angry that / could
have killed him, and ever since them
pardon me-" said a strange voice,
proceeding from a broad %shouldered,
bluff featured man in the doorway. "Is
this Mr.. Darke's studio"
Eyes; but it's not open to visitors at
this hour" returned Keppel, throwing
out his arm. Come some other time, if
You please. I'm engaged!' AS he ut
tered the last word he glanced at Olym-
pia, and they both smiled with secret
happiness.
very sorry; but are your Mr.. Darke
-Keppel Darker" persisted the stranger,
advancing a step or two into the room.
81 am: what do you want2'' said the
artist. also advancing, with a frown.
ave told you that I'm busy. Isn't that
enough?'
I'm afraid that won't do in the pres
ent case, Mr. Darke," answered the
other, standing now within arms length.
Fact is, l have some very particular
business with you" he added, lowering
his voice. Perhaps you'd better ask the
ladies to step out; it might not be pleas.
ant for them-you understand"
az don't understand at alIt'' exclaimed
Keppel. But I suspect you have made
some everlasting blunder. I've nothing
to conceal from these ladies or from
anybody. What do you want? Speak
out!'
"Just as You please, Mr.. Darke," said
the other, drawing q paper from his
pocket. II have a warrant here for
your arrest"
Dear mel" calculated Mrs Raven.
Olympia, we really must
Keppel lifted his chin and laughed.
"My arrestl" he repeated. "Tou have
come to the wrong place. lowe nobody
anything. You owe me an apologyi'
This isn't an action for debt. Mr..
Darke," returned the stranger gravely.
cts a serious thing, sir; couldn't well
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