The Portland daily press., 1893-04-21

gone from the office, leaving h1m In
state of bewildered doubt not easy to be
described.
He dropped heavily in his chair, and
for long while remained plunged in
thought.
The girls startling proposal haunted
him in spite of all his efforts to dismiss
it from his mind.
Ten thousand pounds was no small
sum to be lightly rejected. He was
young, poor and ambitious. Gold was
the magic wand which would beat down
the barrier that now stood between him
and success. Gold would buy him in
fuence and friends and open the way to
the realization of his dearest hopes.
Why should he not accept the tempt
ing offer? He was heart whole and not
averse to settling & wn into contented
bachelorshin, and ong as she did not
mind entering into the strange compact,
why should he?
These and similar thoughts agitated
him for the next two days, and when on
the Thursday the beautiful stranger
again stood before him he had firmly
decided what to do.
"Well?" she exclaimed, 10 ing at him
eagerly.
II accept your offer" he answered,
with an intense gravity in his voice,
land hope we shall neither of us regret
1t. Now, may I ask you one or two
questions~
Certainly"
"Do you mind telling me your name?"
"Nita-Nita Sinclair" she responded,
smiling.
"And may l know why you want me
to marry you?'
She looked embarrassed for an instant,
then said slowly:
81 cannot tell you at present. After
you have rendered me the service l shall
ask, | will give you a complete explana-
ton. Until then will you not trust me?'
Her large, soft eyes were gazing stead
fastly into his, and sweet, half tremu-
lous smile parted her red lips.
For a second Frank, who, in spite of
certain amount of rough knocking about
the world, was sufficiently romantic and
impressionable, completely lost his head,
and Selling her hand he carried it to his
lips as he fervently exclaimed:
81 will trust you! Yes. Only tell me
what can do to serve you, and your
orders shall be blindly and implicitly
obeyed."
y ~ y
Two weeks later, as Frank Tremayne
sat in his Office indulging in happy day
dreams for the future, Dick suddenly en-
tered and laid a small, blue tinted note
on the table before him.
Frank opened it hurriedly, recognize
ing the delicate handwriting.
When he had mastered the contents,
he pondered for minute or two,
thoughtful look on his brow.
Tomorrow am to be at st. James
church, she says he muttered at last,
land act as my heart and honor prompt
me. Well, it's queer command alto
gether and singular place Of rendez-
vous, but as I have promised to obey
must Ike p my word. I shall be glad
when the business is over, and the ten
thou mine, and yeti
He broke off with a sigh as before
him rose the vision of lovely dusky
face and two tender dark eyes. Then a
forced laugh escaped him, and he brushed
his hand across his brow.
"Bah! I believe am getting senti-
mental" he exclaimed half contemp-
tuously.
The next morning at the hour indicat-
I'D Ev.or,1x 41,o II, L.. L
mentioned in her letter.
An unusual stir about it and the large
number of fashionably dressed people
assembled betrayed that something of
interest was about to take place. The
flowers and the red cloth that reached
from the altar steps to the gate outside
convinced Frank that the something"
was wedding.
He took his place in one Of the pews
and waited, a curious, excited sensation
thrilling him.
He looked at the bridegroom elect, who
was already standing near the altar,
handsome man in the prime of life, with
dark, naughty face and cold, glittering
eyes.
A movement behind made Frank turn,
and he gazed rather curiously at the
white draped form slowly approaching.
AS the bride, leaning on the arm of an
elderly man, passed the pew where he
sat she raised her head, and her eyes met
his-a brief glance, but which neverthe-
less sent an electric thrill running
through him.
''Nita," he scarcely breathed, and like
one under the influence OF spell watched
the strange and unreal scene.
At first he saw without hearing, but
presently the clergyman's voice fell dis
tinctly on his ears, and the words he ut
tered madeS Frank rise to his feet and
move mechanically up to theNaltar.
st forbid this marriage" he said loudly
and imperiously, and Selling Nita's hand
held it fast.
The bridegroom grew crimson, and a
sinister light sprang to his eyes. He
glanced from Franks calm face to Nita's,
and something in her eyes-a glow of Sc
cret exultation-roused a sudden, wild
suspicion in his breast.