The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-04-26
A ROMANTIC AFFAIR.

q
wherewith 70 purchase 2 lodging OF
meal. The dOwncast profile was clear cut
and firm, arguing powerful individual
itv IN its owner, and yet the mania had
seized him. as It had seized many a
weaker man, and he had staked his al
and lost over the gaming tables at Monte
Carlo
The moonlight touched his bowed head
softly, silve-ed the outlines Of his figure.
revealed his haggard Ehiteness. II fell
on something else-something that gilt
tered in his hands like steel
stop, Don't do that"
Il was a syoman's voice that spoke, a
woman's touch that rested lightly on his
sleeve. a woman's great dusky eyes, ses
IN a face such as one sees but seldom IN
a lifetime. which were raised 10 his.
She had strolled from her party 10 ENJOY
alone the beauty Of the evening, ana alb
sorbed in meditation had wandered far
ther than she knew.
The mans arm dropped to his SIDE
He looked at her III silence, wondering
admiring, perhaps a little ashamed
why did you want 10 DO it, pursued
the gentle voice Docs lie seem 50
evil a thing 10 yOu:-
I hsve been q fool-a madmani lam
ruined, wish to God had never seen
this cursed place.
Bat you are a man. You can work
You can regain all that you have lost.
He shook his head
\ cannot find employment here. and ]
haven't the means 20 get away. have
had the viatiqUe already. and / went
back % the tables thinking 10 have one
more bid for fortune and lost. The au-
thorities VIII not help me twice.
Her hand slipped into her pocket and
out again. Adroitly she drew the pistol
away from Lim and pressed something
In It's place.
See, have bought this thing ofyou-
she said hurIIedlv. You need NOT feel
too gratl-1l. C0mpatriots should help
each other. II y0u want TO repay ma
swear 10 yourself that you VIII never 10
what you attempted Just now. must
leave You now. Goodby."
She was gone before he could stay or
thank her-swallowed up and lost ii the
shadow Of the trees
Miss Ferris, allow me to introduce to
you Mr.. Fergus Landeck.7
The first time they had met alone be
meath the stars at Monte Carlo. now they
were amid fashionable London crowd.
and she was in evening dress, with dia-
monds sparkling at her throat and in her
hair.
For an instant she returned his gaze.
questioning, perplexed; then there was a
fash Of recognition, and he saw she knew.
viii you take me into the conserva-
tory, Alr. Landeck? It Is so warm here"
They left the ballroom and stroliel
under the domed glass where the palms
and lilies grew.
You have not forgotten. them Il
was his voice, low and tremalous. which
broke the silence.
No; nor you, II seems
There are moments In mans life
which he never fOrgets. That was one
of them. Do you know l have often
wondered whether we should ever meet
again. but I dared not indulge q hope
until this evening, when for the first
time I learned your name. Mss Ferris.
shall we sit down for awhiles Wait. Iar
me fix that cushion for You. am very
grateful FOR this opportunity of speaking
10 you alone. l want want 10 return
10 you, with many thanks, the-tho gift
you gave me FIVE years ago. All. don't
say no. The obligation under which you
placed me VIII none the less exist, end
and I shall always keep the little purse
always-in remembrance Of that night
and you.-
Fortune has evidently favored you
since. she said after q pause.
Yes, fortune has indeed favored ne.
Miss Ferris, your gift was Ike the cu-
chanted purses IN the childrau's fairy
tales-bOtt0mless. L enabled me toraaca
the Transvaal goldhelds. worked hard
there; saved a little; by 90 by I specu-
lated much. Sometimes people grow
Tlch there ia a nouth-a week. 1-as
one Of them. Whatever touched seemed
80 turn 10 gold: whatever did was right.
Money came 10 me IN thoUsauds-tons cf
th0usalds-hundreds even. On the L---
/ sailed from Cape Town. tlr-c,vvae--s
ago, ! was one of therichest men u Soull
Africa and II II had NOT been for Won
snould be lyiug Ia a suicides grave.
Something glistened on her lasaes. Size
oroopod her eyes and toyed with the
feathers Of her fan.
Il am glad. 50 very glad. you have
succeeded"
HIS gaze fingered on the subtle outline
Of her figure. the curve Of her frll white
throat and cheek. she b-own hair with
the threads If gold which waved ard
curved about her brow ami neck.
''-Ard you"-his voice sank lower sti1
Won have mo- m-rried:
'.No. Is yon see. Bat it Is probable
that ] shall lose my freedom soon.
Does that mean YOU are cngagels7
1T means that Lord Hythe proposed
10 Ine by letter this morning. and that
am 10 give him his answer tonight"
Aud is it 70 be yes.
She laughed a little
DO You know that is a very strange
question TO put on 50 short an acqraiEt-
Ince and that orr conversion Is be-
roming unusual IN the oxremes slr.
Landeck. You seem 70 for-et that We
were introduced only h1if ia hour ago.
''1oa were present 80 tae most solemn
moment of my existence. Let me q 1T
tie behind the scenes of your own life.r
he urged.
She hesitated and cast q rapid glance
at iim. Her hps. qpirer.ng as with
some hidden emotion. st7ove 10 smile.
We seem faxed 70 have strange conf
denoes, you and !. she said and laughed
uncertainty. III VOC are very curious
u know. Il Is yes. shall uccept him.
Perhaps il VS. only fancy or the Aicl.-
erins Of thr lamps. but II seemed as
though a suGden SirssIa crossed his face.
born Of disappointment or OF pain
N0u care FOR him of course-
An uncomfortable impulse moved the
woman 70 dash aside tie b2-rier Of con
veutionality and give expression To what
she felt. She raised her eyes tohis. They
met. and the anguish In them touched
Llm 70 the heart. She shook her head
merely. then turned her face away.
Then tell me why you are gong to
marry him.
Because he is rich. and my fathers
property Is mortgaged. may as wei
tel you the reason; everybody VIII
know
You intend TO sacrifice yourself fer
your faIaily's sake"
Sacrifice. What an ugly way Of put
ting II, ] am going 10 make 2 marriage
CT oonvenience.' Other women are do
ing the same thing every day.