The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1894-12-13

Pierce Vaughan, whose dance was
just about to begin.
For another quarter of an hour
until that galop was ended, Clement
must wait; then she would give him
the next dance. 1t was free, per-
haps she had been keeping it for
hint was the supper valse.
Pierce Vaughan scarcely had a
fascinating or interesting partner,
for Lady G%ertrude did not appear to
understand What he was saying, and
answered him so vaguely and wildly
that he could have imagined that
she had suddenly gone demented,
had he not had more than a suspi-
cion that the coming of Clement
Dunraven was accountable for her
preoccupation.
And because of the love Lady
Gertrude bore him, Pierce hated his
cousin with n fierce and bitter
hatred, and rejoiced over the finding
of the piece of paper signed by Beta,
that had lain under the old tree in
the wood.
At last the ordeal of this dance,
which gave pleasure to neither, was
over, and Lady Gertrude's tiny we'll
gloved hand was %quivering with
T D%unraven's arm. If he had loved
her his whole frame must have
which she was laboring. But though
loving words were on his lips, and
from long practice in a wooer's art
his eyes told PASSIONS tale, yet
Clement Dunraven's heart was
less, or been more accustomed to be
wooed, she would not have failed to
discover this, while, as it was she
was in the seventh heaven of rap
ture.
GLOW beautiful you are" he said
looking into her eyes. 81 have
always thought so, but Tonight
tonight you surpass yourself. That
gown suits you to perfection"
'Is it not rude to make remarks
on personal appearance?" she IN
swered, laughing, and trying to
appear thoroughly at her ease.
"You would not think it rude If
you knew my motives" he replied,
so seriously that she was staggered
but she still made an effort at banter.
"That won't do" she said, emo
tives are such horribly vague things
and cover so many shortcomings"
is it a short coming to admire
you desperately, and to-love your"
he asked. The last word came out
with a gasp which gave it an emo
tional point for which his inmost
feelings were in no way responsible.
Lady Gertrude looked down now,
and did not attempt to speak.
So the dress had done its work,
yet Elvira Delane had called it a
shroud. There was silence for a
second or two, she was battling with
her feelings trying to still her throb-
bling heart. He-well, it were better
perhaps TO throw a veil over what he
really felt.
What he said when with a mighty
effort he compelled himself, was
"Will you be my wife?"
She did not speak at once, she
was too happy to give her pleasure
words, but at last a faint "Yesn
came from her pretty pouting lips,
and she raised her eyes to his face
to meet such a look of sadness in
his, that she shrank before his gaze.
ooh, why do you look so sadly at
me?n she asked.
"Did | look sad? Do not be fright
ened; I was only wondering whether
| were worthy of you-whether you
would be really happy if you shared
my lot.n
81 am not afraid"
"No, dear Lady Gertrude, you are
very brave; yet you do not know
me-"
"Not know you, Mr.. Dunraven; it
seems l have known you all my
life"
"Does a woman ever know the
inner life of any man!n
She laughed.
81 have enough belief in you not
to be afraid of your inner life"
"You will take me on faith and
marry me without investigation"
"You are only teasing me; l don't
believe there is anything to investi-
gate. One would think you we're a
murderer or forger to hear you talk,
and if you were-"
''If | were?n
"Well-it would be very difficult
for me to hate you?"
''Thanks."
Then again there was a short
silence. He had given her a loophole
for escape, but she had only rushed
blindly on her fate. If she hao
refused the proposed marriage Si
Louis would not have blamed him
but she accepted, 80 he must smile
on her and try to look the happiness
she was feeling.