The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1893-06-03
TWIXT
AND DUTY,

to notice me when all the world Is at
her feet? How should she know that
my feelings towards her are different
from those of the rest of them? Good
heavens, how I love her! And She
when l say good-bye-she will be sorry
and look grave perhaps, because we
have been: good friends-she will never
guess. Thank heaven + have only my
W burden to bear-I have not spoilt
her life!">
Presently he claimed her for a waltz
then another, which they seemed to
dance mechanically. Graham scarcely
spoke, and Inez's attempts at conversa-
ton were Intellectual.
What is this report I hear Of your
returning to England almost Immediate
ly, Captain Graham?' she asked. II
would not believe it when Mr.. Williams
told me-" ."a
She said the words calmly enough;
but he little imagined the effort they
had cost her, and the anxiety with
which she awaited his reply.
1T is quite true" he answered curt
~. Il am going to apply for leave;
l have been here quite long enough,
and my people want me at home. 1t
is very warm in this room. Miss Mum
ro,' he added abruptly. Shall we
go outsider"
She consented. and they walked out
into the garden. 1t was a glorious
mOonlit night; the spacious beautifully
laid out grounds around the residency
looked like 2 scene from ''fairyland;''
and the late hour, the few white-robed
figures that might be seen moving
about, and the stiffness and calm, after
the heat and the glare Of the ball room,
all helped to carry out the illusion. The
two walked on and on as if under a
spell.
Il am rather tired" observed Inez
presently. rs all this exercise neoes-
sary, Captain Graham"
II beg your pardon he answered
alphabetically. You were right to re-
mind me; here is a seat just ready for
us. Why did you not tell me before?'
You + very hard to get on WITH"
she said laughingly, as they sat down.
DO you know that you have not made
a single remark, and that you have
only said Yes and No to all my bril-
liant sallies? 1t is not very encourag-
ing, when I have been making such
frantic endeavors to enliven you! Why
did you come at all if you cannot talk
and make yourself %agreeable?:' she
asked p%etulantly.
"But indeed I can, Miss Munro he
answered, with a desperate effort to
reply in the same spirit. Let me see
what ought I to say? Oh. the floor
is very good, is it not? And the decora-
tons are lovely; and so are the young
ladies'; and-and-oh, look at the NOON!
Tco>f # hnortif,11 . : s1,o.n will that
6o?'-with a forced laugh.
"Hush!" she said. You know I did
not mean that" Then, dropping her
bantering tone and speaking gently
Il am sure you must be worried or
i'll or something; and I have been teas
ing you with my nonsense all this time.
You look quite dreadful; what is it?'
''There is nothing the matterr!' he
exclaimed hastily. Yes, there is!'-
almost tiercely, rising and standing be-
fore her. why should I hide it any
longer? 1t cannot hurt you to hear it.
1t is you, Inez, who have kept me here
week after week, in spite Of my prom
Use, in spite of everything, till it is
agony to go. Yes-you will hate and
despise ME when 1 tell you; and I de-
serve it all. I never meant to say this
- CGl W ACotC "lA11Ou d "Olus
but I cannot help it now. I love you,
Inez, and another woman has promised
to be my wife! But my heart is yours,
ly? Inez, Inez, speak to MEAS she
am to do"
"You must go back to her." she said,
in q cold voice, without looking at
him.
go backr' he cried passionately.
to me? Do you know that you are
driving me mad, Inez? And yet you
can sit there calmly and tell me my
duty, just as if you were not the
woman I love! You are very hard
very cruel; but what can I expect?
You do not know-you do not care
and
A low bitter cry interrupted him,
and Inez half rose, but sank back al
most fainting on to the seat again.
In an instant he vas on his knees be-
side her. t
MY darling, my darling, forgive me-"
he cried. Il was mad when I spoke
like that to you'll, who, love you so!
Inez, say you fogive me, and | will go
away and never trouble you again.
Dear, won't you even look at me? Am
I too bad for that?"
She raised her bowed head for an in
slant, then quickly buried her face
again" in her hands. .
"Good heavens" he cried despairing-
", have I broken your heart as we'll
as my ownY
For q .moment a sense of remorse
took possession Of him, but only for a
moment; it was quickly succeeded by
the great joy Of feeling that his love
!! was returned. He kissed her hands
passionately again and again.
"Inez,n he said hurriedly, If this Is
indeed so, I will not-cannot 60! My
darling, IL you love me YOU will not
send me from you! Why should both
our lives be spoilt? Nen-she will I'M
derstand. She is a child; she will for
get. Inez, hear me!
Hush she ~gasped-"I anno bear
1T! Leave me for little while;
shall be better soon"
He obeyed her mechanically, and
presently she rose and went 20 MIN:
81 forgive you, she said, looking pity
ingly into his white face, TOT 9
could not help-oh, no, g could Eot
help III! But Won must SO away; 4 Gan e
not meet you a more!s 9 m.st ~
back to her; It would be Detter Ior W.
oh, pray--pray don't as MS strons
frame shook with passionate grief.
ssQVhv IA Won upbraid me? RI he asked
hoaraeiv. why dosyou not call me
dishonorable-anything rather than
iooksat me Ike that Why are You -
SSPaco,,ao I invns vfI1. |, she answered