The Press., 1894-06-21

There will be quito stir in the morning, to say the least Can t stop to tell you any mo1e noW-watch the papers. And MT. Grierson bowed himself out
 Miss Huntingdon dropped on divan in front of the fireplace She leaned forward and gazed into the fire. The coals glowed and spluttered as if in sympathy with the excitement the breezy announcement of the banker had stirred in her breast. So it was coming. she thought, with an unwonted light in her eyes-this thing she had dreamed of so long. So she was going to be in this as she had been in every move she had made since she began to gather her for tune-successful. That tn V ,nker had come with his proposition at the time he had-was it not proof that she was born under lucky star?
 Father, dear father. she murmured pensively, ''you shall have your will"
 She took from her pocket cardcase, and from it drew scrap of paper, vel low and creased. It seemed to rouse her. II have sworn to crush this man, James Delafield. nervously clinching her hand, and 1 am ready to do it. 5" Again she looked at the paper long and earnestly. That is my talismanl" she exclaimed.
 But my poor father did not know to what he~condemned me. He did not know that l would come into such con- tact with men whose only ambition in life is to get money-anyway, anyhow but to get it. He did not know that to fulfill the VOW he demanded of me he was subjecting me to an existence that is fast crushing out of me the sen sibility, the goodness of heart-yes. the very womanliness-tha so endeared my mother to him-an existence distasteful to me and suffered only for the sake of my promise. But it will soon end; then my life will be my own. In this deal 1 shall ruin James Delafield to the last dollar in his pocket. cannot fail"
 Miss Huntingdon rose and thought fully paced the floor. Why does the man seek me so? l have not encour- aged him. Sometimes feel contempt ible. Perhaps ought to have sent him away long ago. And yet the whole acquaintance has progressed in such a way that to dismiss him would have been out of the question. As much as 1 might wish to. I cannot hate him.. Really, must admit it. 1 rather like him personally. He seems so great hearted, so frank, so-no, no, no-I am his enemy! I must not think ot'--
 ''Mr. Delafeld!' gravely announced the servant at this juncture. Miss Huntingdon turned quickly. With a graceful, swinging movement she put out her hand toward the man who had entered, but feeling almost Judaslike. Had she attempted to analyze the situ- ation at that moment she wonld have been confronted by sequence of per picking questions such as would have ached her pretty head to answer. How ever, she was quite composed outward ly and ejaculated: Why, did not ex- pect to see you this evening! supposed you would attend the directors meet ing"
 Il thank you for thinking of me, " replied Delaield gently as he released her hand. Flushing little, Miss Hunt against the mantel and crossed his hands behind him. He looked very manly, Miss Huntingdon thought, in this care less attitude. It had never struck her so forcibly before how broad his shoul- ders were, what strength there was in his figure. She noted the firm lines of his face, and how the whole expression of that face in repose was sottened by his kindly eyes. Presently his rich voice reused her.
 'No, he was saying, II did not go to the meeting because well, pre- ferred very much to be with you to- night .,
 ''Then he won't know until tomor- row." flashed through her head. II am sure l am glad to have you come," she said. "I''- She stopped, disconnected at the young mans steady gaze-that look in his eyes that she had noticed so often of late.
 Miss Huntingdon, he began, II said l came here tonight because pre- ferred to be with you. came for more than that-l came because-I-I-love you. l loved you that day of the yacht