The state capital., 1892-04-30


! mirthful meal was a terrible ordeal TO her.
She heard, vaguely, one of the youths tell
ing Marion of her primitive ideas on fish
ing and Marion's light hearted laughter.
She joined in it,, too mechanically. No one
seemed to notice her constraint Mrs.
Gray was busy at the head of the table
Hurst never looked at her, but joined
rather wildly in the general conversation.
Only Annabel glanced sharply at her now
and then.
After lunch the men went away to smoke,
and Susie, pleading long letter to her
father, would not join Marion and Anna-
bel, but went by herself into bay win
dow of the great drawing room and sat
down at writing table. From outside
came in the sweet smell of mignonette and
syringa and the buzz of the summer in
sects in the sun. But she buried her face
in her hands and there remained, in the
dull stupor of misery.
''Susier'
She looked up. Eric Hurst was stand
Susie, for heavens sake, let me say
word to your So.
She rose and looked at him with the
pride of one who has changed with sudden
bitterness from the child into the woman
Are you engaged to Marion Gray"
The young man hung his head and
scraped the carpet with the point of his
boot.
"Yes, since this morning." And then
he went on hurriedly: Forgive me, Susie.
could not help myself. did love you
honestly, truly; and I love you still but
what is the good? Your father would
never hear of it-and Marion cares for me
, and you know, Susie, that one can't al
ways do what one wishes in this world"
"Why did you think it necessary to come
and tell me this?" asked Susie very quietly.
He was silent for moment, and then
answered lamely:
II thought owed you an explanation"
He had expected scene of tears and
childish reproaches this gentle sternness
took him aback.
your actions explain themselves, Eric
You could never have cared much for me.
have grown old now, and have forgotten
those foolish days. But you have some
letters and things of mine," she went on
bravely, though her voice broke ever so
little; "send them to me. Perhaps-per-
haps Marion might not like to see them"
'4Susie, darling" exclaimed Hurst sud-
denly don't talk like that. l see that
you love me and I love you more than
ever did before. Don't let us part in this
way. Tell me that you can love me and
forgive me. cannot help myself; care
for Marion and must marry her, but You
are my first love. | come to you for pity
and forgiveness, Susie"
"And can Marion marry you in spite of
all this?" asked Susie in the same tone.
'But Marion does not know-of course
not''
She started back as if he had struck her.
Not only was she unprepared for this an
swer, but it's tone implied anxiety lest
Marion should ever know.
Then Susie sat down again and put her
face in her hands.
"Go away now; you have said enough; ]
see it all. You are marrying Marion for
her money. did love you a moment ago,
but now-I despise YOU"
"Susiep cried Hurst, kneeling down bv
her side
But she thrust away his hand, and with
out word went from the room. When
he found himself alone for the second time
that day, Mr.. Eric Hurst took out his hand
kerchief and wiped his forehead.
Now was Susie face to face with great
problem. Ought she to keep silent and let
IuaFTy bIllS Ildu W uO WAS uOU WOT-
thy of her? Or should she tell Marion all? +?
No; this seemed too much like revenge
What should she do?
But later on in the day Marion came to
her, brimming full with her own happi-
ness, and sat down by her side and spoke
about her lover, as maidens will. And
then Susie threw her arms about her
friends neck and burst into tears.
God bless you, Marion, dear-see that
he loves you and makes himself worthy of
you-and if you don't ever see me again
you will think of Susie sometimes, won't
your"
"You silly child, you will come and stay
with us for weeks when we are married"
"No-I can't leave dad again-he is get
ting old-and l must go to him tomor-
row."
So susie kept silent and Marion married
Eric Hurst, who did not make her bad
husband, as husbands 60 1t was one of
those good marriages that Rochefoucauld
speaks about, IL NY a point de deli
cieux' A little later on Annabel married
in her own profession. But Susie remains
quietly in her little Devonshire home with
her dad, for the real fairy prince has not
yet ridden up to her door. The only one of
the three schoolgirls who shrank from
| signing the famous compact is the only
one who has kept to her bond.
1t is the way of the world.-All the Year
Round.