Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1894-10-23

SENT and the three dined alone. Fur
man and the bride elect were in very
fine spirits, but Miss Leith seemed more
absorbed than usual. In the middle of
a gag story a servant offered Furman
some sweets. He would have let them
pass, but Mrs. Page interposed.
TRY some," she insisted. Belinda
prepared them. She will be offended if
you''- She glanced at the girl, who
srched her brows
Furman took small portion of the
uandicd fruit and ate it slowly.
1T is excellent" he said May l
have another?'
Belinda left the room, excusing her
self on the pretext of some household
duty.
'She is exquisite, " confided the guest
to Mrs. Page in half whisper. The
lady assented. But you are'- He
hesitated and stopped short.
Let us go to the piazza 1t is cooler
there :"
Mrs. Page led the way, and Furman,
hesitating still, followed. She found
seat and he another.
''But you," he added at last, you
are perfect.
She shut and unfurled her fan with
nervous click, but presently her hand
foil to her side. He caught it up and
kissed the finger tips. She drew it from
him hastily.
1T is the climate that affects you,
and you fancy it is l, " she said, smiling
family.
ut is you'll 1t is you'll" he murmured.
well, it is let it rest 80. F."
But cannot rest, he insisted. 81
love you. =" He started, shocked at his
own teluerity, and as her eyelids droop-
ed he would have caught her hand
IF you DO love me, say nothing.
She looked i'll his face with wide open
eyes and Strengthened herself in the
chair
If the major should even imagine
An expressive gesture completed the
sentence.
Furman nodded confident and as
sured. The thought of the major had no
fears for him.
Mrs. Page looked cautiously around.
"Belinda's mother" she said, she
drove to suicide. He suspected she was
flirting with tho handsome son of a
near neighbor. He had him out and shot
him, and yet it is not for that reason
fear, for have no intention of flirting
with you. You know that, because"--
Don't hunt for a reason. 4"
Mrs. Page laughed, but 1t sounded
thin, as forced laughter always does,
and she agitated her fan with sudden
vigor. ut may not be, she murmured,
and as she turned to him it seemed that
her eyes were compassionate, sympathet-
ic even, awake to possibilities, yet care
less of results.
My poor boy" she said, with lit
tie sigh, don't you know that you are
absurd? Yet believe me, am grateful
for your homage. What you have said
would please any woman, and were
younger-well. then, were / free, since
you will have it SOL would find it
very pleasant indeed But there are
many pleasant things that may not be.
Tomorrow or next day you will go, and
u week later you will be signing at the
feet of some creole beauty, and If you
think Of me at all then it will be but
with a smile
She was smiling, too, and az he look
ed at her Furman thought he had never
seen any woman fairer, moro debonair,
nor yet more sonsibly Just than she.
If | vex you," he said. looking in
subordinate and cross, II will not
speak, but at least you might stay. /
will promise this"---
Whatever no was about TO promise,
Mrs Page never knew, for In the wide
doorway BeliLda's white Tobed figure
suddenly appeared.
1T is getting late, IL IL nOt9' Mrs
Page inquired for cOuntenance sake,
Belinda's expressive shoulder moved in
a disdainfui shrug as aclOck in the dis
tance chimed family. Indeed, A." she
continued, I'VE had better go In"
She moved from tho piazza, aud all
three entered tho house The hallway
was unlighted A flicker from an open
door lighted the farther end Passing
from the starlight of the gallery tho
gloom of tho hallway seemed intense
ifiAhi iAh'H'f i'iAH HAH hahNf hiAA ~
the dark encountered that ~ some one
else What impulse moved him he could
not say, but putting bis face forward hs
pressed bis llps softly ~ the ohesk "
tho owner " the hand
Ia bis own room FuTmau dropped on
o tuat and l0ossHod his ne0kile with y
thrust u his thumb Through tho 0pau
window came moist beaglness subtle
as tho atmosphere ~ q soraRli0
90 must w tonOuoS," he told bin
seli aud lrled % map oni his departure
boa bio mind Ffpm aeloss iAe ball FAINT
footsteps reached bis eag lie heard .
whispering yglee A d0uf oi0aHd, aIld
nom spmoBhpIe ~ lhs Hrbai hogse ihe
sulduad siukiuR " plgnk Has heard ~
Was midulsAi h0 kueW slowly he uH
ur1 the lairllei ~ : sllps aud hai gazing
iAi4uEn iAv UprA NiAdDN w hls un
lpwlug psIs ils hum ~ myrladl ~ M
aDis sounded aHd ~ his uulipedlus pgrs
ila siais Hill dspNed iheli ~ ahana
. Ihs nFng senmea " asll aiid iie nigii
luHAli
/ tpilng hs H,aaiisiipHs ssaaHuly
/ sHHl lp maaapta HHitA aHq llHiieq