The Red Cloud chief., 1892-07-01

amusement, set dowh her empty cup,
and made n sign 70 her COUSIN. lie
rose. and the two repaired tn the studio.
"Seaward," she began when the door
was shut, II have a thousand things to
say 10 yon. Why arc you not my broth
or. old boy? Granny would not dare TO
restrain our intercourse IL you were.
But surely she has given up her old sus-
picion about out philandering9'
III don't think she suspects us of phi
lnndcring," he replied. "liut she doesn't
like me, and she disapprovcs Of your
taking me into your confidence. Never
mind her, Adelinc. What is 1t that you
ri To say?"
'Clnud will come home tomorrow"
she went on, "and granny has set her
mind upon marrying us out OF hand.
She says VIC have dawdlod on as an en-
gagged couple long enough. For my
own part I have found the dawdling
quite pleasant. We have mooncd about,
md looked NJ houses and furniture, and
talked vaguely Of a far-off future when
we might possibly want such things.
There Is nothing like seeing ones prom
Used land In the distance; IL Is the near
view that destroys the cnchantmcnt."
"But I don't quite understand You,
Adelinc," he was beginning, when she
stopped him with n pretty, impatient
gesture.
"Stupid old boy! How can you cx-
pect Il, understand n woman who
doesn't understand herself? And II Is
not of myself that ] am thinking. IL is
Of Claud."
Scaward looked at her thoughtfully.
She had bright gray eyes shaded with
black lashes, and delicate, but rather
irregular features. To-day her face had
the brilliancy that often comes Of anx-
icty; the clear pallor Of the checks wa
| tinted with vivid rose. She was pref
tier, perhaps, than usual, but curiously
unlike tho cool charming woman Of the
| world he had always known.
~ nm not romantic" she said. speak.
ing In n calmcr tone, II do not expect
too much from n man. But I can't
| help thinking that Claud he's nothing to
rive. At first ! admired that gentle
langour of his, and fancicd that it was
u mask, worn gracefully to hide deer
feeling. | believe now that It only
| hides an empty heart"
Seaward still regarded her attentive
ly, and was silent
~ have never been really In love
with Claud." she continued, "but II he
| had tried he could have made me love
him. lie Is the kind of man who at
tracts women, with his pale aristocratit
face and gentle ways. But he never
has tried. Time goes Ou, and we do MOI
draw IN inch nearer 60 each other. Il
granny tells him that he has got Il
marry me before Christmas, he will
placidly consent. But, Seward,
don't like the prospect Of q lifetime
spent with nn utterly indifferent hus
band. I nm not vain. vet ! cannot hell
feeling that am worthy Of a stronger
feeling"
"You are worthy Of the strongcs
feeling that n man can give, Adelinc,
he said with true heartincss. "As (,
Claud, there is a great deal about hin
that one naturally likes and admircs
have been hoping that you would kin
die n fire within him. Is he really q
cold as you imaginc?"
"Don't be dcccitful, old boy. 70,
and are always perfectly frank will
each other. When you have talkc,
with Claud. have you ever discoverc'
any sign Of warmth toward me? Yo,
know you have not"
But, Adclinc, I was always hopin,
that the warmth would come. And h
really does admire you very much"
"Ah. Seaward!" the bright gray eye
grew soft and sad, ~ nm FOOLS
enough to dream Of something swccte
and deeper than admiration. ! don
believe much In rapturcs; all ] ask
the sweet, old-world gift Of sponta
neous affection. II Claud had chose
me just as Jack chooses Jill, nigh
have been q contented m But h
did not choose me; he simply accepte
me from granny's hands"
Granny Is too fond OF playing prov
dencc," said Seaward, In an uneasy tone
at is possible that Claud has seen HI
Jill elsewhere - an unattainable Jill.
There was n note Of Interrogation
| A.. ,-l - Alt. .arHnAa. hut Aulcfnp