The Press., 1894-06-14
A MISTAKE.

ware road in a waterproof? Am your idea of the person who would take an in- terest in suet and semolina and darn your socks in the evening as a recreation? My dearest Jack, if you think anything so absurd you must be even a greater fool than take you for" xt
 "And you are. so clever-so confound- edly clever, you know, Belinda" says Jack" looking at her cuIiously through his half closed eyes. Belinda has talk en the chair opposite to nina great, deep chair, which acts as frame to her fair, assured beauty and the rich softness of her costly dress. .
 ''I am honest," answers Belinda, s'and romantic, too--that is, as romantic as most people. Theoretically romantic, you know, and in practice practical. My dear Jack, I may have been--I don't say that l have, you know-sentimental enough to fall in love with a government clerk, but I shall not be fool enough to marry him."
 "Thank you," said Jack, still looking at her indolently. .....+.. .~-' ...
 s'I am glad you are grateful" answers Belinda. 'You ought to be-, I am spar ing you great deal. What would you do with a wife who wanted about double your entire income for dress allowance ?"
 Jack is understood to murmur lazily that any wife of his would be required to make good many sacrifices.
 Sacrifices !" echoed Belinda, "My dear Jack, the influence of the country clergyman, your papa, and the squire's daughter, your mamma. is painfully ap- parent even now. If people are not to marry to better themselves, why in the world should they marry at all ?"
 "Effete persons in the country Belinda" i" says Jack, leaning forward and looking into her face with. an odd intentness, "oc- casionally marry for love-"
 !" Do you offer their example for my ben- efit?" says Belinda, laughing 8 little. Perhaps she laughs to cover some slight and usual nervousness. A: faint colol | fiickers for 8 moment in her cheeks anG dies away and leaves her pale.
 'sI have the audacity to do so," says Jack. 1t absurd, and -qaixetiey- and ri diculous, of course. I don't think ex pect you to follow it. The instances ir which women have found affection capa. ble of making life more tolerable than dc town house and country house and a first rate dressmaker are uncommonly rare. Yet they have been, Belinda"
 "Have they ?". says Belinda. "Is thele | any proof of that2 Is there any proof that l the women who have married for affection wouldn't be ready enough to barter it at | the end of year or two for those other advantages The birthright for the mess of pottage. you would say. But my sym. pathies have always been with Esau" l Suppose" said Jack, with something that is eager and strained under his light manner, i've come to the point. Do you care for me, Belinda ?''
 I am going to be honest in every re. spect," says Belinda, with that color com ing and going in her face. ""So-yes."
 "Will you marry me, Belinda ?"
 There was a pause. ... --.-.~l-.. VII
 "No," says Belinda, but as if it hurt her
 "Why not?" .a.. .....
 Honesty again." answers Belinda lightly. She. feels, perhaps, as if tha lightness weresa sort of safeguard. "Tt put it brutally, I don't consider love ant clerkship are enough to live upon."
 "Is this final?" says Jack, still very in tently. t. ..'. l "lt is so final," she answers, "that must ask you. never to mention the sub iect again. I have my feelings too, yol know. I wish, perhaps, they were stron, enough, as some women's have been, t. let me do as you wish. But they are not Spare me as much as you can. When am rich and prosperous shall, no doubt regret you; but if I had you, shoul spend my life regretting the riches an' prosperity l choose the lesser of tw evils." ...s.< .' E-'
 "And, suppose, Belinda" ," says the man "that you had been fortunate enough t fall in love with rich man?"
 "l can't suppose anything so absurd, answered Belinda. ''That sort of thin does not happen outside novels"
 "Sometimes," he answers, ''thoug rarely. Yesterday 1 was poor man; to day, through the death of a relative, ar rich one."
 Il She looked at him suddenly. The col or burns into her face and dieso of | She reads contempt in his eyes1a scatf : ing contempt fol her. "I leave here early tomorrow morr ing," she says at last, and very steadily "I will say goodby to you now"
 He opens the door for Ter, .andras sh { passes him their eyes meet for the laf time.-M. and 7. in Black and White.