The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1893-03-31
steps more buoyant, nor with heart

steps more buoyant, nor with heart
more light.
.sOh, what fun I'd have with that
wretch, she thought, ''Only / Inn tee
angry, only I am too much ashamed
Of having been deceived SO easily by
such an absurd trick, and only / cannot
forget how poor Burt suffered"
After going a few blocks down the
avenue, she secured a messenger-boy
by whom she sent a peremptOry and
mysterious command to Burt.
He obeyed it with such alacrity that
he overlook her at her own door.
What is it, Bessie?' he asked ex-
citedly. Don't keep me in suspense,
darling. / can't bear much more with
safety to that villain. The world is
getting too small for us both"
Bessie speedily revealed what she
had discovered, and what she was per-
suaded was the truth.
The gloom darkened again in the
young fellows honest eyes and upon
his manly face.
Finding these satisfied obligations
doesn't prove that Darcy has no real
claim against your house," he said
in voice of keen disappointment.
"All the same mean to defy him"
declared Bessie. Unless he produces
the positive proof I shall demand,
shall decline to sell myself"
At that instant there was an inpa-
tent ringing Of the door bell, hurried
steps in the hall, and then Darcy
himself pushed past the servant and
again crossed the threshold Of Bessie'S
pretty drawing-rOOm.
He knew that Bessie had been in the
house and that she had brought the
papers away with her. And he had
followed her with the notion that
any sort of fairy tale would overcome
her suspicious, allowing that she was
clever enough to suspect anything.
He seemed rather nonplussed at the
presence of young Jeffry, but he at
once concluded to ignore the intruder.
Il regret exceedingly that was not
at home to receive yOu,' he said to Bes-
sic, 'but I trust you will overlook my
misfortune, and permit me to escort
you back directly"
''The visit is unnecessary" Bessie
replied cheerfully. Il shall hardly be
likely to ever enter your house again,
and how you furnish it doesn't concern
me in the least
WHAT" DARCY almost shouted, his
black eyes emitting red sparks Of
fury.
Bessie was on her feet, looking at
him straight and steadily.
when you produce your proof of our
Indebtedness to you, then / shall be
ready to do as l promiSed-never be-
FORE said Bessie, looking triumphantly
at her bewi1dered young lover.
For D'Arcy's guilt was betrayed I'M
mistakably in every feature.
He raved for a moment, threatening,
boasting, and arguing by turns, and he
finally wheeled savagely upon Burt
Jeffry.
Its you who has put her up to this
Infamous proceeding. 1t is you
you" he began.
Burt had taken single step for
ward. He was quiet--too quiet for
D'Arcy's safety! And the latter per-
ceived the fact
He hesitated, scowled, then wheeled
again. And the next instant he strobe
pompously out of the room, banging
the door behind him.
The young lovers looked at each
other. Both smiled, but there was a
great deal of very serious feeling be-
hind that amused smile.
"Who would think anything so alb
surd could cause so much misery"
said Bessie, nesting with little sigh
and Sh1ver In the dear arms opened
to enfold her.
Love sometimes laughs at snares,
my sweet" said Burt, holding her
close while he kissed her as if they
had been parted for ages