Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-03-01

my happiness, Mrs. Maynard. His ex-
| istence even is a matter of Indifference
to me-"
Mrs. Maynard was too thoroughly a
woman not to understand the eXagger-
| alton in this statement. She immedi-
ately decided that she would DO justi
fed in renewing the attack upon the
same line.
~ wish for his sake, that could say
as much for him." she said, slowly, af-
fecting to be absorbed In her idle twir1-
ing of the dainty hand-screen that she
held before her eyes, but in reality
watching anxiously the play of express
But he betrayed to-day, when off his
est in you which, under all the circum-
stances of your recent meeting here,
seemed to me very singular, to say the
least; and when commented upon this
fact he attempted to explain it by say
ing that you were old friends. It
seems strange, does it not, that he
should have resorted to q declaration
that is so easily proven to be Mistaken
Miss Hilary was now pale as ashes,
and In the soft shining of her eyes, as
they were still fixed upon the Goals,
] there was suggestion Of repressed
tears. But she spoke in q firm, calm
manner, after little silence, and with
scarcely q perceptible unsteadiness in
her voice.
"It is quite true, Mrs Maynard, that
we were once friends-and more than
friends. If had dreamed that it would
result in my meeting Mr.. North, I
Ishou1d never have come to you at all.
No, l mean if could have foreseen that
our meeting would be what it was, for
I confess that had expected something
very diff erent if Fate should once more
throw us togetherI But it is far better
to have oil illusions swept away than to
waste ones time in useless dreaming; Is
it not, ma chere?"
my dear Myra!'' 1t was the sweetest
and most delicate sympathy that was
mingled with the surprise in this low
breathed exclamation.
''Oh, I am forcing q disagreeable con-
fdence upon your cried Miss Hilary,
) with sudden little laugh of self-dis-
dain. 81 forgot how uninteresting such
: things are to third person. Pray for
give me, Mrs Maynard"
Not forcing, my dear Miss Hilary
: protested Mrs Maynard, reaching ur
quickly and clasping the fair hand that
hung istlessly at Myra's side. "Did
: not invite your conhdence9 But in
deed, I have no wish to intrude upon
any experience that is sorrowful or sa
: cred; do not misunderstood the feeling
that prompted me to introduce this sub
: ject."
Withdrawing her hand quietly after
, moment, Miss Hilary drew a low hassocl
forward into the glowing freight anG
. seated herself near the chair in which
l Mrs. Maynard was reclining. For {
. moment she remained silent, with he,
I gaze once more dreamily intent upor
-, the fire, where fairy castle, glowing
from the very heart of the white Goals
reared it's fantastic towers; then she be
I gan slowly, in q voice in which littl
effort was betrayed
i ut seems strange for me to speak 81
= / freely of this affair, and yet. after all
l there are sufficient reasons why
: should confide the story to you. Sine
we have been thrown together unde
i your roof, and especially since MI
; North has chosen suddenly to depar
from the cold formality Of perfec
stranger, with which he first met m
here two weeks ago, and assume the al
titude of an old friend-to which priv
lege he has forfeited every claiml-it
% only right that you should know tn
little that there is to tell concernin
my past acquaintance with him"
81 shall be glad to know all, my dea
n Myra," interpolated Mrs. Maynard
"a softly. IT may serve as q guide t
h NV own future course"