Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1892-05-06
CHAPTER Nv.


o stay and heart Your true loves COM
ing
That can sing both high and low;
Trip no further, pretty sweetlng."
1t is a distinctly aggressive mood
that she goes to the drawing-room an
hour later, to keep her appointment
with Sir Ralph. She finds him there,
lounging in Il big chair, with his
hands clasped behind his head, gazing
modify into the fire. There is
frown upon his brow that he does
not attempt to get rid of, as he
gets slowly on to his feet to receive
her.
you did not trouble yourself to
curry" says he unpleasantly.
You gave me the impression
that any time would do" retorts she,
with a little shrug of her pretty
shoulders.
mo time would have suited you, l
dare say" says he bitterly.
''Much better, if you are going
to be in bad temper" with
touch Of temper on her own part.
Anketell looks at her intently for a
moment There is a curious light in
his eyes-a quick fire. He even
moves his lips as If he would have
spoken. but by Il strong effort controls
himself.
us my temper the only thing
against mep" asks he presently with II
emile that If still resentful, is also
very sad.
II have made no complaint" re-
turns she icily.
Then wish you wouldP" cries he
fiercely, his late control flung to the
winds, and a very storm Of passion
shaking him. ..What! do you think
am stone, or a fool, that | can't
see how you treat mep Find your
fault! State it! Let me see where l
fall"
''If." says Miss McDermot, laying
her hand on the back Of the chair
nearest her-'if it WAS to-to roar at
me you asked me to meet you
here. / think you would have
done better to reserve your invitation.
She is very pale as she thus defies
him, but her lovely head is we'll
thrown up, and battle declares itself
in every feature.
"Well-I beg your pardon" says
Anketell, with the air of man who,
finding the matter hopeless, gives 10.
.I-et us-grimly-presume l have no
fault"
by all MEANS" acquiesces she de-
murely
''There were some papers to be
signed with regard to our marriage"
says he; that was why / asked you
to come here; but you delayed SO long
that" -
"Well. whatP"
81 fancied you were very happy
where you were, and so / would not
have you disturbed. | told your
father l could come again Tomorrow,
and so could the solicitor. You see,
satirically, IL have always your
interests at heart"
You are too goodr' returns she,
with Il satire OF her own-so fine,
that his sinks into insigniticance.
Then, quite suddenly, she turns to
him, and crossing the room, reaches
the hearthrug on which he IL stand
ing. What is it all aboutp" asks she,
with change from fnesse to utter
tralghtforwardness- Something has
vexed you. What?"
"Ah! 80 much you have troubled
yourself 10 discover" says he, with u
harshness that she is clever enough to
know is born of grief Something!
How many things? 1 wonder. My
life for tho past month has been
hell. Because / don't say much. you
think L cannot feel at all. What do
you think l felt on that first cursed
evening, when that fellow came be-
meath your roof-when you told old
Bridget tn t you were tired of hear
ing OF Sir Ralphp"
She is standing opposite 10 him,
with the freight illuminating her
face. A little quick SILVER seems to
come over her; but beyond that she
makes no sign.
IL suppose you mean that you wish
to break our engagement" says she.
her voice coming from her in little
broken pieces.
THAT! No. That is the last thing
should mean"
.And yet, il you believe me tired
OF you surely you would wish to-
81 should not" coldly.
mot even thenp Tired Of you!
You heard me say that. and stilr'--
al shall never break off my engage
ment with YOU" says he slowly.
Never! shall leave the breaking Of
our engagement to YOU"
You mean." says she. in little
choking voice, "that you will leave
oil the odium Of 1t upon mep"
81 mean that shall never break with
you until you break with me-"
You are O tyrantw enies she sud-
denly. "You don't care for me, yet
you will hold me in spite of mel'
Ills that your reading OF itp"
Eyes, that Is what think-what
! honestly think. Do you know,
looking straight at him. her charm
ing. angry face brilliant with
emotion, / believe that in your
heart you hate me, and that the pun
ishment you have laid out for me IL to