The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1894-10-18

He could only stare at ner 1or a mo-
ment in his surprise.
"How-how did you know?" he STAN
mered.
"Mr. Roth also heard the story"
He has been to you with it italready?"
Yes. News of that sort travels
fast"
There was something in Miss May
selfcontained manner that embarrassed
Fairleigh. man OF the world though he
was. With lower order of women he
knew how to deal. Reproaches could
be met with explanations. even some
sort of defiance. But 4 lady requires
different treatment He stood facing
her uncomfOrtably, longing to 90, yet
dreading the final word.
1T is pity you did not try to verify
the rumor before placing implicit con-
fidence in it" Miss May went on, with
smile she tried to render contemptuous,
but could not; her wound was fresh;
"fOr it is not true"
Fairleigh uttered a startled exclama-
ton.
1T was my cousin Lucy's idea. She
has always said you were a fortune
hunter. but | would not believe it. l
had faith in you, Fairleigh" Muriel
made the above ayowal unfaltering gly.
with the frank fearlessness of proud
pure woman. Then Lucy resolved
to make use of one or two club gos-
sips, and told them confdentially that |
had lost my money. They repeated
the tale even more quickly than she
hoped; yesterday it was the talk of the
clubs"
A variety of emotions were depicted
on Fairleigh's face, none of them of a
high order.
"Am l to understand, Miss May" he
slowly asked, that you are still rich
WOman?"
"A day or two ago, while shopping, l
lost SjO-all the money | had with me
at the time. Otherwise, my fortune re-
mains intact"
Then. am to understand that you
have been playing a trick upon me?"
he demanded.
There was a stern ring in his voice.
He was trying to make this girl feel
that she had gone much too far with
him.
Il never play tricks" haugntily.
There was something in her tone now
that warned him. SO he smiled and
continued:
"Muriel, dearI didn't mean a trick in
the contemplate sense of the word.
But YOU certainly attempted to perpe-
trate a very clever joke upon me. You
have succeeded admirably. But | for
give you"
oh, you do?"
'Certainly."
you are very kind"
"a man must be very indulgent to the
woman he loves"
so you still care for me?'
Can you doubt it?"
''In view of what has just taken place,
yes"
"Muriel can't YOU understand that YOU
iested with me, and that jested in re-
turu?"
"Oh, that was it?o
Yes"
"And you feel that you have tri-
umphed in the matter Of jesting?"
1T would seem that have"
ooh, you are cleycr-very ciever"
Thank you"
But her manner made him feel that
he was not making rapid progress
toward Il reconciliation.
"Muriel," he went on tendcaIy. Il can
not remain more than five minutes.
After that, | can not hope to see You in
side Of three weeks. Let Us make the
best use of that time"
lie stepped forward. as II to clasp
J.. L.. I
by an imperious gesture, restrained
him.
DO not insult met" She cried.
Insult you?o
How could it be otherwise than an
insult?"
But, Muriel- MurieI, | love you"
Cease mocking me. sir. You forget
that a moment or two ago You cast me
otf-because you thought | was not
rich enough prize"
"Muriel | swear -"
No gentleman, sir. uses profanity in
the presence of woman"
He thought now that she was really
jesting but glance into her cold eyes
undeceived him.
Then, Muricl, you. who have played
a joke upon me, are offended because
have dared TO retort in kind"
Il am not offended. sir"
Then, dear, will You kindly define
the emotion that does dominate you?"'
"Contenpt."
Don't be cruel. Don't You see, dear.
that you're breaking my heart?7
oh, some other hciress's money will
prove an ample balm"
Misunderstanding
This interview is becoming very
tedious. NJ. FairIeigh. We have both
had opportunity to say all that needed
to be said. have another caller who
is waiting. VIII you oblige me by
taking your leave? = permanent
leave!"
Il am frightfully unfortunate" he
persisted. "Muriel, tell me that YOU
have not been testing at all. Tell me