Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-04-04
A ROMANTIC AFFAIR,

| A ROMANTIC AFFAIR.
He was ruined. A he left the casino
and wandered out into the gardens he
had absolutely not franc In his pockets
wherswith to purchase lodging or .
meal. The downcast profile was clear cut
and Hrm, arguing powerful individual.
ity In its owner. and yet the mania had
seized him. a. II had seized many q
weaker man. and he had staked his all
and lost over the gaming tables at Monte
Carlo.
The moonlight touched his bowed head
softly. silvered the outlines Of his figure,
revealed his haggard whiteness. II fell
ON something else-solnething that gilt.
tered In his hands like steel.
"Stopl Don't do that!"
Il was o woinanS voice that spoke, o
womans touch that rested lightly on his
sleeve, q woman's great dusky eyes, set
In face such as one sees but seldom In
lifetime, which were raised to his.
She had strolled from her party to enjoy
alone the beauty OF tho evening. and ab.
sorbed In meditation had wandered far.
ther than she knew.
The mans arm dropped to his side.
He looked at her IN silence. wondering
admiring. perhaps little ashamed.
"why did you want Ia ,lo it," pursued
the gentle voice. "Does life seeni ~
evil Q thing to your
II have been u fool--a maaman! lam
ruined! wish to God had never scen
this cursed place"
"But you are man. You can work
You can regain all that you have lost.
He shook his head.
II cannot find employment here, and J
haven't the means to get away. ] have
had the viatilue already. and ] went
back to the tables thinking to have one
more bid for fortune and lost. The au.
thorities will not help me twice."
Her hand slipped into her pocket and
out again. Adroitly she drew the pistol
away from him and pressed something
In Its place.
"Sec, I have bought this thing Of you,'
she said hurnedly. "You need not feel
too grateful. Compatriots should help
each other. II you want to repay me,
swear to yourself that you will never do
what you attempted just now. must
leave you now. Goodby."
She was gone before he could stay or
thank her-swallowed up and lost In the
shadow Of the trees
Miss Ferris, allow me to introduce to
you Mr.. Fergus Landeck."
The first time they had met alone be-
meath the stars at Monte Carlo, now they
were amid fashionable London crowd,
and she was In evening dress, with dia.
monds sparkling at her throat and In her
hair.
For an instant she returned his gaze,
questioning. perplexed; then there was .
dash OF recognition. and he saw she knew.
"Will you take me into the conserva.
tory, Mr.. Lsndecki II Is 30 warm here
They left the ballroom and strolled
under the domed glass where the palms
and lilies grew.
"You have not forgotten, them 1t
was his voice. low and tremulous. which
broke the silence.
"No; nor you. II seems"
There are moments In mans life
which he never forgets. That was one
Of them. Do you know have often
wondered whether we should ever meet
again, but I dared not indulge hope
until this evening. when for the first
time learned your name. Miss Ferris,
shall we sit down for awhilel Wait. let
me fix that cushion for you. ! am very
grateful for this opportunity Of speaking
to you alone. want-l want To return
to you. with many thanks. the-the gift
you gave me fve years ago. All. don't
say no. The obligation under which you
placed me will none the less exist, and
and shall always keep the little purse
always-in remembrance of that night
and you"
"fortune has evidently favored you
SINCE" she said after a pause.
"Yes, fortune has indee,l favored me.
Miss Ferris. your gift was like the en-.
chanted purses In the children's fairy
tales-bottomless. Il enabled me to reach
the Transvaal goldfeids. ! worked hard
there: saved little; by and by specu'
lated much. Sometimes people grow
ich there In month-a week. was
one Of them. Whatever touched seeme'
10 turn to gold: whatever did was right
Money came to me In thousands-tens oi
housands-hundreds even. On the day
I sailed from Cape Town. three weeks
ago, I was one Of the richest men In South
Africa, and II II had not been for you ]
should be lying In suicides grave
Something glistened on her lashes. She
drooped her eyes and toyed with the
feathers Of her fan.
81 am glad. SO very glad. you have
succeeded"
His gaze fingered on the subtle outline
Of her figure, the curve Of her full white
throat and cheek. the brown hair with
the threads Of gold which waved and
curved about her brow and neck.
"And you"-his voice sank lower still
-"you have not marriedr
mo, - you zee. But II u probable
that shall lose my freedom soon."
"Does that mean you arc engagedr
"It means that Lord Hythe proposed
b me by letter this morning. and that ]
am to give him his answer tonight
"And u u to bs .yesr"
She laughed . little.
"Do you know that u very strange
question TO put on % short an scquaint.
snce and that our conversation 70 be-
coming unusual In the extremei Mr..
Landeck, you seem to forget that we
were introduced only half IN hour agor
"You were present st the most solemn
moment Of my existence. Let mo . lit.
tie behind ths scenes Of your own hfs.
he urged.
She hedtatsd and cast . rapid glance
st him. Her lips. quivering - with
soms hidden emotion, strovs to smile.
1--WE seem fated TO have strange conh-
dsncss, you and I" "shs said and laughed
uncertainty. III you arc very curious
70 know, Il u yea Ishall accept him.
Perhaps 70 was only fancy or the dick.
srins Of tho lamps. but Il seemed ~
kho~swh n sudde0 apaam croeaod his faCo