The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-06-17

AISAN
IN ZONE rdy both of her hands ,cere In hts
level with bis. MOT yetin be was saying.
mot until I have told you'll have fought
and fought, but I cannot stand it any
longer. I have loved you, Gladys. ever
since that summer at Bar Harbor; / have
kept that lock Of hair ! stole from you
ever since that day we last went boating
together. ] had hoped to keep my love
for you q secret; ] did not know but ] was
mistaken; ! thought II might be q mere
passing fancy; but 1t has grown and
grown. Every day ! have been here with
you under the same roof, every day / have
thoughtlessly amused myseIf-playedt ten
mis-, danced. droye-I have lived in a sort
OF . dream; / found myself under the spell
Of your beauty. When you were cold to
me the sun did not shine for me; when
you allowed me to talk to you ! was more
than happy | know there must be an
awakening; ! know II Is presumptious for
me to think you could ever care for such
o poor sort Of a fellow as j; bnt, Gladys,
there is not a man In this world who loves
you better, or truer. or more than IPe
She struggled to withdraw her hands /;
her face became very pale; she looked
troubled.
"Not to-nightr' she exclaimed. Not to
night" was all she said.
sBut why not tonight as well as any
other time? know ! am awfully abrupt
and clumsy, but ! want you to look up at
me; ! wan you to tell me II you don't
think you could learn to"
No. mol Why do you trouble me?
Can't you see that / have enough to think
about already" 1t was like the cry of a
child in pain.
Il don't understand you, Gladys, and ]
do not want to have the least misunder-
standing about this. Does it trouble your
] am so very sorry"
"0h-Mr. Lawrence, you are SO very
stupid Don't you know / like you very
much, but ! cant-now-oh, dear, ] don't
know what mean to say-I-"
Miss Montague seemed to nave lost her
self-possession completely. She who had
been so calm, so distant, was now reduced
to q few incoherent sentences. She who
always held her head up SO proudly was
now looking at the floor meekly. She
who had never been at q loss for words.
now stopped and stammered and finally
broke of abruptly.
II Ned Lawrence had been il possession
Of all his faculties, he would have with
drawn with a few quiet words, and ended
the interview; he would have waited for
a % favorable time to press his suit;
he would have seen that Gladys was per-
picked and evidently striving to get him
away without wounding his feelings for
the time being. But he was, on the con-
trary, very impulsive and ardent, and
when he saw her hesitating, he jumped to
the conclusion that it was mere coyness
aud she was holding of &c that he could
not say he won her without a struggle.
So very unfortunate for him, he stepped
forward and attempted to kiss her. This
aroused her.
Why are you troubled2" he asked.
Tell me about it"
She moved back a few steps away from
him. Excuse me, Mr.. Lawrence, / think
l am fully able to manage my affairs with
out your assistance"
The GOODNESS Of her tone convinced
Lawrence that he had made a mistake.
Il hope you don't think me OVERLOAD,
over-inquisitive," he said anxiously. 1T
troubles me to see you so nervous; !
really do not understand it. II there is
anything that ! can do"
There is nothing you can do" she
broke.
Lawrence began to grow a little angry
and piqued. She was rapidly becoming
her self. She held her head erect.
Il don't understand you" he said.
1T is not necessary that you should"
DO you mean to reject me altogether"
be asked desperately, thrusting his hands
deep into his trousers pockets.
i don't know-I can't say she said
slowly.
But there isn't anyone else?' be asked
eagerly being encouraged by her hesita-
ton.
Really, I don't think l am obliged to
answer that question; you have no right
70 ask IT." she was looking at the violin
on the floor, where it had laid since Dav-
aris dropped it. Lawrence eyes followed
her glance, and a great light broke over
him.
rrIt's that, Internal Creek he muttered.
but not low enough to prevent her hearing.
Were you speaking to mef' she asked.
Lawrence did not answer. He UNDER
stood il all she was in love with Davaris,
but she did not dare t o tell it to him. For
an instant he stood there, with bowed
head; then ne looked up braveIy,
"Isee that ! have made a mistake to-
mig i" he said. speaking rapidly and in d,
low tone. Il must beg your pardon for
speaking disrespectfully Of one Of your
friendsi" He could not help putting q
sight emphasis on the last word. But ]
u not see that ! have said anything to
make you very angry. ! am not conscious
Of }overstepping the laws Of good taste
and conventionality. II l have done 50