Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-08-17


sionate eagerness and seemed 10 be on
the point Of addressing him, Of utter
ing some vehement demand. The white
lips parted, but as II the look that she
encountered from his steady gray eyes,
the conscious power OF mystery that
like an invisible atmosphere surrounded
him, had frozen the words ere they were
uttered, the protest, demand, appeal
Whatever IL was that had 80 nearly
forced itself passionately upon him
died on her lips, and only flint, quiv-
cring sigh escaped them. Then she
sank down In chair, still white as
death; all her cold sclf-possession, all
her magnificent hauteur replaced by n
look Of pitiful despair. II ever a proud
woman's heart could break, then surely
In that moment Mrs. Maynard must
have felt the bitterness of that ex-
pcricnce.
Was IL fcar2 Was II rcmorse2 Or
what was the emotion that had thus
strangely unnervcd hcr2 North could
only speculate the certainty lay beyond
his present reach.
A death-liko silence fell upon tho
room. II became oppressive to North;
he finally spoke again, his low voice
ringing out on the stiffness in clear de.
cisive tones;
"Mrs Maynard, will you act upon
my suPgestion2 WIN you heed my
earnest wish and advice2 You do not
know, you cannot realize, all that may
be AT stake, or you would not hesitate
for one moment | am not advising you
at random; have viewed the case from
every possible standpoint, and can see
no other course for you to take, For
myself shall offer no defense am
prepared TO face whatever consequences
! have incurred. Already our own law
ycrs suspect MS; to-morrow--this very
day--the truth may all become known.
There is little time for you TO act; your
resolution must be taken at once. win
you promise that you will do as have
adviscd2"
There was no trace Of lightness or
mockery In his manner now; sointense-
ly interested was he In the result of
this last bold venture that an earnest
ness quite different from anything that
hc had yet exhibited made his manner
seem almost as trngical as Mrs. May
nard's
She started 10 her fec the color
flushing wildly over her white face; II
singular light, half defiant, half tender,
but full of suppressed excitement, came
into the beautiful brown eyes; certain
impulsivencss, which under ordinary cir
cumstances was only half suggested In
her manner, seemed to take possession
of her She looked Tor moment as IL
suddenly lifted from the depths OF de-
spuiring grief to the heights Of cub
lime daring, sacrifice, sclf-abandonmrnt
North rose quickly. lie had dim
sense Of impending danger, confused
intention Of quclling the storm that he
had evoked, before II could breal, upon
his head. But fate kindly interposed
In his behalf.
There was the sound of some one al
the drawiug-room door; starting a liz
tie and turning toward the door, Mrs
Maynard controlled herself by a visibl,
effort, and said, in her ordinary tone;
us that you, Williams Come in"
The footman, thus hidden, presented
himself with low bow and his habtu
al AIR OF apology
Maj. Maynard's compliments, h,
said, land will Mrs. Maynard soon b,
ready To driver"
"Ycs, Williams. In half an hour
Tell the major so,' answered Mrs. May
nard, with irritable haste.
The footman promptly retired; then
turning again toward North, Mrs, May
nRrd continued with an evident cifor
to speak lightly, though her tone ant
words contrasted strangely with tn,
death-lilSe pallor Of her face;
THAT dreadful mani lie insists upoI
my driving with him this morning, an,
he will not be put of, though hav,
pleaded every possible excuse. 1t 4
very rude to send you away, Mr.. North
but the majors will is our law, and h,
has TO be humored like a child"
North slowly walked across the draw
ing-room with his head bent and hi
eyes fixed upon the carpet until h,
reached the arch doorway with II
sweeping portiere; then, turning
around he lifted his head and locke,
calmly at Mrs Maynard across tn
little distance separating them. Their
was faint flush Of excitement on hi
face, a smoldcring fire in his eyes,
curious touch of repression In his man
ner; strangely, too, a suggestion o
triumph that he vainly sought to sup
press.
81 am obliged 10 20 now, Mrs, May
nard,' he said slowly, "but | shall Sc
you soon again, In the meantime as
you 10 consider very seriously the sug
gcstion that have offered. II Is Vita
ly worthy OF your attention"
Again the color came and went 1
her checks, her breath fiuttered an
% her white fingers closed convulsivel
; together, 1t was evident that at hi
words some powerful tide Of emotio
, had swept over her, almost overwhelu
7 ing her with it's force, but, quickly ra
? lying, she controlled herself so res,
p lutely that both voice and mnnuC
I We're Jelly calm when She answered hin
> "Your suggestion, Mr. North?' Their
was a delicate sarcasm in her tone q
she repeated the words, at is unworth
of mel will not give II secon
thought Have YOU SO little true ide
OF me, thenP Do you really believe IN
: 20 be capable Of the utter heartlessnes
Of such course2 Oh neverl Even II
: did not blame myself SO bitterly 70
this--nnd my self-reproach Is unspeal
; ablc!-I could never consent to talk
) such a course as that. Whatever const
: quence may threaten you, whateve
consequence may overtake you, II
CURED for my sake"-her voice was bu
Aalsaklu asaAilola ha4.a and har avaa aoI