The National tribune., 1893-04-27

deep feeling When he frst began to speak 9
| wave of color swept over her face, and then
| ebbed slowly back, leaving her quite white.
As he stopped she raised her eyes and looked
at him steadily, and chill settled down on his
heart as be met her look.
"Mr. Duaney, you have ust done me great
honor" she said in voice not quite steady, in
spite of its ironcal tone. :" hardly think l
am equal to making SO momentous decision
all at once. / hate responsibility, and may
not be equal to the task of making you happy.
The thought is awful, for if failed should
Eeproach myself eternally for ever having
tried"
"Helen," he broke in, "if you can love me
if only you will trust your life 10 me-if you
will let me try to make it what you wish,
through my devotion, that will bo my happi-
ness the greatest this world can ever give me
all | shall ever ask" He spoke fast with
forceful entreaty, but a was in him of
something strange and unnatural in her. 1t
deepened as she went on, composedly.
"Mr. Delaney, you really very kind and
unselfsh, but l am too conscious of my own
short comings to bear the burden of so grave a
decision. If it might only be taken of my
shuuldors-for instance. il / could arrange so
that an element of chance would enter into the
matter-it would relieve me and be quito ro-
mantle besides: " and she looked at him with o
slight satirical smile.
tone :" it is not possible that woman whom
have believed SO true, so kind, eau be making
jest of the deepest feelings of a mans heart"
She interrupted him quickly. "A jest, of
course not; who could trihe with matters of
such gravity; but really my proposition is an
excellent one and not without precedent, feel
sure if only we knew the truth. Let me ex-
plain my plan, and know you will agree that
it is admirable for shifting heavy RESPONSE
blity onto the shoulders of chance or fate"
He was silent, shocked ana overpowered by
the cruel coquetry of this woman whom he
had thought noble. His grief did not escape
| her, bnt she went on, pitiIess.
| my plan is this: to lei those two vases of
| roses decide the matter; one shall mean yes,
aud the other no, to your proposal Choose
| whichever you LIKE promise to abide by the
result; and she gaZed with mock earnestneSs at
| the flowers. But he was silent, stunned by the
| revelation that came upon him lightning
| fash. She had seen through his miserable
| little farce, conceived before he knew tho vital
| force and power of his feelings. His check tim
| gled at the recollection, and now she was tax
| ing her revenge. How should he ever make
her believe in him-how win her pardon
! She looked around to ask the meaning of his
silence, but he seized her hand with an i'm.
| plorine look, and burst forth into torrent oil
words full of remorse and passion. Helen
forgive me- Do not be cruel to me because OF
!
thing; / do not wish to. 1t is true that
dared to rifle at the most serious moment oil
my life-that have been fool, blind, con
ceited idiot; but never dreamed how l loved
you. l am another man now, incapable of such
an act. Tonight. for the first time In my life
l realize what it is to love woman, to love
her with every nerve and fiber of my heart; to
have 10 hope on earth which does not have hel
for its object. You must, you shall believe me
tell NE that you forgive me-that you under
stand and will trnst me-"
Surely his words had wrought upon her and
melted the GOODNESS in her generous heart, FOL
there we're tears standing in her eyes, and She
no longer smiled. Her voice quivered, though
she tried TO steady it, as she answered him
9" You have hurt me more than / can ever tel
! you, and | dare not trust such new love az
yours seems to be. The chances of the future
| might destroy it-but," as she met his humble
! imploring look" perhaps in a long time from
now, if you are still the same, and very sure
| why, them may listen to you. jack"
A little later. when they joined the crowd o.
merry makers in the next room, he, too, wore g
red rose. Perhaps it was promise for the
| future.