The Press., 1894-05-03

of her small, gloved hand What are you doing here at this hour, and why are you not at your post in the mine?''
 North approached. holding his hat ill one hand, while with the other he stroked the glossy neck of the horse.
 ''It is q holiday he replied. with an accent of contempt struggling through his respectful tone. ''The new proprietor-the young lord of the man. or-came to take possession of his do- main this morning, and we, his serv- ants, were graciously given leave to welcome him. y
 ''Ralph Monckton. exclaimed the girl vivaciously. What is he like, Matthew? When I saw him last, he was lank, overgrown boy. Little as I was, remember, he was afraid of me and blushed furiously when my father introduced him to me. Tell me about him.
 A flame of hatred sprang into North s eyes as he answered:
 ''I only caught glimpse of him as he went by in his carriage. He did not condescend to speak to us.
 "Ts he handsome, Matthew"
 ''It may be so, Miss Duke, " replied the young man, with an affectation of indifference whici, his resentful air be- lied. '' 1 profess; little Knowledge of such things. His f,ltures are regular. His face is colorless as sick girls. His hair is light and carefully parted in the middle. His figure is small and slight"- He raised his own powerful frame unconscicusly, as it seemed, to his full height. His eyes are pale blue and cold as a dead mans. That is about all-oh, to be sure, did see something like an eyeglass hanging to the lapel of his coat"
 ooh. Matthew, Matthew!'' laughed the girl, ''why do you hate the poor gentleman so?''
 "Gentleman!' repeated North, step- ping back as if he had received blow. "Yes, you are right, Miss Duke,' he added ill low, bitter tone. "He is a gentleman, the owner of millions, brought up in luxury and college bred yes, that makes him a gentleman, even here in America, where we pre- tend to recognize no class distinctions and l, a poor workman, his paid la borer, have no right to criticise him.
 "Come, Matthew" replied the girl seriously, ''you are unjust. I did not mean to wound you. You know have no class prejudices. A man is a man, no matter what his station may be, and so that he is honorable and upright it is nothing to me whether he wears broad cloth. r''-glancing at the coarse fan mel shirt which displayed the grand muscles of North's chest-''the meanest attire. l am true American girl, Mat thew. Never forget that"
 1T thank you for those wo1ds," ex- claimed North, with a passionate ges- ture which caused the young horsewom- an to straighten herself in her saddle, while her cheek flushed faintly. "A man is a man, as you have said, and you may have the chance, one day, to see for yourself which is the real man | this languid, weak eyed millionaire or Matthew North, the gang boss. '' | ''So long as you act worthily, Mat thew,' said the girl, turning her lus- trous eyes upon the excited face of the young miner, with gentle glance which seemed to quiet him at once, II shall always be your friend-.if my friendship is of any value to you.'' "Oh, '' he murmured impulsively, Git is worth all the world to me. ] would lose life sooner than your good opin- l ion.'
 The black horse, which throughout l the conversation had paved and snorted restively, now seemed to get his head, | for he bounded forward suddenly, as if relieved from the curb. For an in- stant Matthew North saw little hand waving him adieu; then horse and rider disappeared in cloud of dust.
 For many minutes North stood gazing | after them like man in dream; then, with deep breath, he passed his hand confusedly across his forehead. A small, dark object lay in the road at his feet. He stopped and picked it up; it was lady's riding glove. He brushed the dust off it reverently, turn | ed it over and over on his large palm, and with a sudden, passionate move ment pressed it to his lips. Glancing about him with a shamefaced air, as if fearing he had been observed, he hastily thrust the glove into the breast of his shirt and strode rapidly away.