Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1893-08-23

his purpose, and tried to prevent it,
for he found it difficult to seize an
opportunity. But as l was dress
ing for dinner Frank entered. He
was as pale as death, his lips set.
IL have come to say good-by, old
boy" he remarked. "Pm going
away now, instead of tomorrow
morning"
"Why?" | Intercepted, in sur
prise. "Then you have seen Miss
May6eld, you have spoken to her?"
"Yes; | have proposed and been
rejected" he replied, his tones Bit
ter, his eyes haggard.
Rejected! What reason did she
assignp Did she give any?" | in
quired, in low tone after pause.
"She refused to give one; that is,
she gave me to understand that
there were none, but that she felt
we could not be happy together.
She owned that she had until re-
Gently thought it possible, but that
she had been mistaken, and was
now undeceived. She was sorry;
nevertheless, it was best that all
should be considered over between
us. It was not only the words"
proceeded poor Frank, manfully
striving to keep his voice steady,
"but the cold distant way in which
she spoke them"
"She is a cruel, heartless flirt!"
| cried.
He raised his hand hastily.
"She may be-" he said. q
heaven knows-have no right to be
her champion, but | can't hear
word against her. The fact is at
present | think had better be
alone"-moving to the dOor-"only
| thought | would come and tell
you and say farewell"
Warmly pressed his hand. My
heart was too overhowing with
sympathy for many words.
ARNOLD" he whispered, in ac-
cents | shall never forget, ''she has
broken my heart"
He went quickly from the room,
but his white face seemed yet be-
fore ME; it was as if struck by
death.
How triumphant and self-sufii-
Gent was Sir Archie! How | hated
him-how I hated her! | took
these two hates and my friends
pale face to my room with me, and
pondered over them before the fire
until L fell asleep.
| was aroused by light tap at
my door. Shaking off my drowsi-
ness | opened it and found Mrs.
Mayfeld's maid.
Her mistress compliments and
apologies, but seeing by the light
under my doorI was not yet in
bed, could | kindly see Miss Ceclle,
who had been taken suddenly ill!
"Conscience!' Serves her right
| thought, but said aloud that |
would come at once.
| found her lying on the couch
in dead faint, which learned had
followed a violent fit of hysteria.
The anxious mother, finding all
her own remedies to bring her to,
to fail, had sent to me. 1t was
nearly twenty minutes before even
| succeeded.
AS she became aware Of my pres
ence, fear for second seemed to
show in her eyes, swiftly followed
by cold hauteur. Having no wish
to be amiable to girl so despised,
| withdrew, leaving some instruc-
tons.
What had caused Cecile's indis-
position ! did not trouble myself to
think. If it was her heartless treat
ment of poor Frank, | was glad of
it. Next morning, of necessity |
had to see her. found her alone.
Her manner was cold, yet scarcely
more cold and distant than mine.
81 am better, thanks" she said.
my indisposition was but trivi-
al"
81 expected so,' | answered, ris-
ing. 81 will take your word for it,
Miss Mayfeld; | am glad you can
dispense with my services"
saw she was hurt by my behay-
ior, and fancled her lip trembled.
"That MEANS" she remarked,
with half-sneer, "for your own
sake, DR.. Lincott, not miner'
Exactly" rejoined, Instantly.
"Those who are incapable of SYM
pathy can scarcely expect it from
others"
She flushed angrily, then tears
seemed to spring to her eyes.
"You do not understand-you
cruelty misjudge mel" she said