Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-02-15

in chat moment mrs. Maynard rnusr
have felt--the bitterness Of that ex-
perience.
Was it fear9 Was it remorse2 Or
what was the emotion that had thus
strangely unnerved her? North could
only speculate; the certainty lay beyond
his present reach.
A death-lilxe silence fell upon the
room. 1t became oppressive to North;
he finally spoke again, his low voice
ringing out on the stiffness in clear de-
cisive tones:
''Mrs. Maynard, will you act upon
my suggestionp VIII you heed my
earnest wish and advice? You do not
know, you cannot realize, all that may
be at stake, or you would not hesitate
for one moment. / am not advising you
at random; have viewed the case from
every possible standpoint, and can see
no other course for you to take. For
myself shall offer no defense. I am
prepared to face whatever consequences
1 have incurred. Already our own law
yers suspect us; to-morrow-this very
day-the truth may all become known.
There is little time for you to act; your
resolution must be taken at once. Will
you promise that you will do as have
advised?"
There was no trace of lightness or
moclzery in his manner now; SO intense
ly interested was he in the result of
this last bold venture that an earnest
ness quite different from anything that
he had yet exhibited made his manner
seem almost as tragical as Mrs May
nardS.
She started to her feet, the color
flushing wildly over her white face; q
singular light, half defiant, half tender,
but full of suppressed excitement, came
into the beautiful brown eyes; a certain
impulsiveness, which under ordinary cir
cumstances was only half suggested in
her manner, seemed to take possession
of her. She looked for moment as if
suddenly lifted from the depths of de-
spairing grief to the heights of a sub
lime daring, sacrifice, self-abandonment.
North rose quickly. He had dim
sense of impending danger, a confused
intention of quelling the storm that he
had evoked, before it could break upon
his head. But fate kindly interposed
in his behalf.
There was the sound of some one at
the 6rawing-room door; starting a lit
tie and turning toward the door, Mrs.
Maynard controlled herself by q visible
effort, and said, in her ordinary tone:
sis that you, Williams? Come in
The footman, thus hidden, presented
himself with low bow and his habitu-
al air of apology.
maj. Maynard's compliments" be
said, land will Mrs. Maynard soon be
ready to drive?''
Eyes, Williams. In half an hour.
Tell the major So" answered Mrs. May
nard, with irritable haste.
The footman promptly retired; then,
turning again toward North, Mrs. May.
nard continued with an evident effort
to speak lightly, though her tone and
words contrasted strangely with the
death-like pallor of her face;
''That dreadful maal He insists upon
my driving with him this morning, and
he will not be put off, though have
pleaded every possible excuse. 1t is
very rude to send you away, Mr.. North
but the majors will Is our law, and he
has to be humored like child"
North slowly walked across the draw.
ing-room with his head bent and his
eyes uX0O upon UL10 carpet 1uU1A lit
reached the arch doorway with its
sweeping portiere; then, turning
around, he lifted his head and looked
calmly at Mrs. Maynard across the
little distance separating them. There
was faint flush of excitement on his
face, a smoldering fire in his eyes, g
curious touch of repression in his man
ner; strangely, too, suggestion Of
triumph that he vainly sought to sup
press.
"I am obliged to go now, Mrs. May
nard," he said, slowly, 'but shall sec
you soon again. In the meantime ash
| you to consider very seriously the sug
gestion that have offered. 1t is vital
| ly worthy of your attention"
| Again the color came and went il
her cheeks, her breath futtered ant
her white fingers closed convulsively
together. It was evident that at hi.
words some powerful tide of emotion
had swept over her, almost overwhelm
ing her with it's force, but, quickly raj
lying, she controlled herself so reso
lutely that both voice and name
were iciIy calm when she answered him
"Your suggestion, Mr.. North?" Their
was q delicate sarcasm in her tone a
she repeated the words. sit is unworth,
of mol will not give it q seconC
thought Have you so little true ide;