The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-01-24

NO. 6CC LOdGs 4A1sV ~ WY yO0A
words and looks are worth having"
eff that is your opinion, am at your
service, Miss Armadale."
ooh, you misunderstood me, Of course.
Men always misunderstood me-"
81 do not wonder. You seem an eng
ma to me"
clam sure you could read me-though
not every one can.
81 am going to try to read you"
..Ah, then shall try to prevent you. :"
.Why? Have you anything to con-
ceal?''
In the shadow of the pine he saw a
change of color in her face.
GA woman always has her feelings to
conceal"
"Why, no, not necessarily. can inn
agine that to the proper person she would
ike to reveal them.
e.To the proper person" repeated Miss
Armadale with shrug. "But the fun
consists in revealing them to the inn
proper person"
What strange, bold speech this was,
Forsyth reflected after he had left the
party. Hope Armadale was truly an
enigma. But what fascination she
possessed
When he found that Craig had left
the beach so unexpectedly for an indefi-
mite absence, he suspected that Miss Ar
madale had refused him, and as time
passed without his return he was con-
vinced that this was so. But one day
coming upon that young lady unexpect-
edly he found her reading long letter
IN what was to him Alan's unmistakable
handwriting.
s.Miss Armadale," he said frankly,
looking significantly at the sheets whica
she hastily attempted to fold. 81 ae
knowledge myself beaten. had begun
10 suspect that I could understand You.
But see that 7 do not. y
ssWhat do you misund erstand, Mr..
Forsyth she asked haughtily.
the encouragement you have given
my attentions during the past three
weeks
.'Your attentions, Mr.. Forsyth
Certainly, my honest and unmistak-
able attentions-which you have. re-
ceived as. woman receives such marks
from man who she knows is about to
ask for her love"
Forsyth stood tall and severe before
her.
81 am sureI do not understand you. >
.sHope Armadale, you have known
from the first minute looked at you
that was in love with you-my first
love, let me tell you, for any woman.
After that first meeting / let you alone,
I believed that Craig had q claim on
you. You remember the ride home
from the encampment and what you
said to me to lure me on. Days passed.:
Craig did not return, and you gave me
every evidence of-preference"-
tsStop, Mr.. Forsyth
ssPardon me, am not through. You
are dealing with some one besides Alan
Craig today. You have given me. |
say, every mark Of preference. A1an's
continued absence convinced me that
everything between you and him was
ended. l have been waiting for suita-
bic opportunity to say in words what
you well know that I feel. I come here
today and ind you smiling and blushing
over love letter from-my rival.
.sYou are very cross. Mr.. Forsyth" :"
she pouted.
sis that all you have to say to me::"
'sWhat would you have me say? She
was little afraid of Eaim.
(Which of us two you love-" he an
swered fercely.
She turned Unexpectedly pale. She
clasped her hands in q mechanical way,
letting the papers fall to the floor.
There were tears in the lustrous eyes
she lifted to Forsyth's stern face.
''You must wait, she stammered.
wait, to be fooled further! No, Miss
Ar1nadale; l am through with you.
heartless, unscrupulous"
Mercy she cried.
.sIt is the merciful who receive mercy.
May you never know its meaning"
The interview took place in a bow
window, from which there were steps to
the lawn. AS Forsyth uttered the last
words steps were approaching through
the parlor. He was too much agitated
to control his manner, and hastily open
ing the French window he sprang down
the steps and was soon out Of sight.
He was beaten. His violence, his self
betrayal had not elected anything which
he sought to know. he was ignorant
whether Hope Armadale cared for him.
whether she was engaged to Alan Craig
just as ignorant as when his pursuit
began month before.
CHAPTER TIT