Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1893-04-01

lead on the farm with grandfather
and Aunt Polly. But you are differ
ent-so different Some day you will
surely succeed, whereas -
Laura was silent moment.
"And Mr. Varian?" she finally said.
She felt the presence of the blush
on the others cheek which she could
not see.
Don't don't! Don't speak OF him
in-in that way!" breathed Elsa
"Come in" called Laura a week
later
The summary invitation had evil
IDENTITY not been heard, for the knock
was repeated after discreet inter-
val.
This time Laura rose, and, pencils
in hand, opened the door herself.
II am very glad to see you, Mr..
Varian. she said gravely. "Come in. :"
Or the two it was not she who was
embarrassed. Laying down her pen
ellis she pushed chair slightly toward
him with the gesture of q queen.
'ME Varlan," she said, Il have
known you but short time. Prac-
tically we are strangers Yet think
we shall understand each other.
do you the credit of believing that 1
can speak frankly to you. / asked
YOU to come here to see me for a
special reason, which l shall breach
at once. You are aware" she con-
cluded, that Elsa-Miss Hart-has
returned to her home and friends?"
Indeed? ! had no idea of it
No"
Laura dropped her eyes for a mo-
ment
"You make it more difficult for me
to say what ! wished" she observed
in moment. "She has gone back
to her friends because she was far too
sensitive and delicate little creature
to face the hand-to- mouth, struggling
existence of female art student sue
cessfully. She should never have sat-
tempted it. blame myself now, for
/ love the child dearly. Still, her
year of such experience as she has
known here would do her no harm,
rather good, perhaps, were it not for
one thing" and here those gray eyes
rested full upon the young man again,
''and with that you, Mr.. Varian, are
connected"
"I?"
The gray eye flashed scornfully.
cit is unworthy to dissemblem
cried Laura If you have given
that poor child cause to think that
you love her, and have taught her to
love you IN return, there is no reason
why you should attempt so to conceal
the fact.
Pardon me, / have been unneces-
sarily rude and hasty But I am
Elsa's best friend, / think. l know
her very thoroughly Her happiness
seems to have become, in some sense,
my responsibility since she left
the safe shelter OF her home
to be with me-to try the same
life that ! have tried. Mr.. Varian,
| believe Elsa is very unhappy now.
And
"And you think she is unhappy be-
cause l have trifled with ner affec-
tions? Led her to fix them upon me
when"
"Of course, you are man of the
world, Mr.. Varian, and Elsa is a
mere little country girl, interrupted
Laura, with rapid utterance. Her
case somehow. did not seem so very
clear after all. And strong and col
lected as she always was she was
growing strangely nervous now.
"But Elsa is a good, pure girl,
worthy to be the wife Of any man."
she hurried on "And-" She
paused abruptly.
IL honor you more than | can say
for what l have seen of you within
the last ten minutes" said Variants
voice at this juncture. Few women
would have had such directness such
loyalty to friend, such courage.
But there is a mistake here. IL
cannot marry Miss Hart
Laura raised her head. For a mo-
ment they measured each other.
"You cannot marry"
mo Because ! do not love her.
i have looked upon her as pretty
child-nothing more; and mindful of
her grandfather's kindness to me the
summer that / was thrown from my
horse when riding near his place and
laid up under his roof for weeks, |
have tried to do what little / could
for Der. That is all. ! sought her
out. not for herself, but because she
was your friend-because she was
near you"
She had turned ashy pale. The
pallor Of her cheek was reflected on
Verlan's He had not thought to
speak so soon. Their eyes held each
other for long, breathless pause. In
an instant the young man was on his
knees AZ her side.
Laura! Laurav
mo, no mol" She shrauk away
from his touch; but he had seen the
expression Of her eyes, and all bis
pulse beat In the intoxication OF a
new hope.
"You must 60 away; you must
never come back, " she said, hoarsely.
Laura You can't mean that?"