The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1894-12-27


pearance in the ROOM stood a young
lady-yes, the very same whom he had
seen with Mrs. Maynard in the car
rage. ~s
She was tall and slight, with y proud,
delicate face, whose exquisite fairness
was accentuated by the soft clinging
Grape of a rich mourning dress. She
was beautiful enough to make sensa-
ton in any social assembly. yet so Jelly
cold that all words of admiration would
freeze upon the most ardent lips. There
were many who, observing her in diff
ferent moods, fancied that beneath this
ice throbbed warm heart that had
suffered as only the heart of proud.
loving woman can; but of this the Sc
rene brow and lips gave no sign.
Nor til stood transfxed for moment
rs if oblivious of the presence of others,
unconscious of the emotions that his
face was betraying. All doubt was
gone from his mind. Even if he could
have questioned the direct evidence of
/ his own eyes, he received convincing
proof in the cold recognition that her
proud glance expressed as it rested
upon him for an instant. 1t was not
such glance as a perfect stranger,
however Indifferent toward him she
might feel, would bestow; under all its
hauteur fash of passion lay-scorn.
contempt, unforgiving resentment.
which told of the pre-existence of some
kindlier sentiment. In answer to the
look that she met from his eyes scorn-
full little smile fitted over her lips,
and, bowling very slightly in recogni-
ton of his presence, she deliberately
turned away to avoid any further
notice of him, and continued the con-
versation which had suffered no break
in consequence of this little by-pfay.
So quickly had the mutual recogni-
ton taken place that only one person in
the drawing-room besides the two most
intimately concerned had taken cog
nizance of the fact. Mrs. Maynard had
spoken twice to North and he had not
heard her: but when, suddenly recalled
to his surroundings, and the fact that
he must behave sanely while he was
under the scrutiny of SO many curious
eyes, he turned toward her with an
effort to resume his usual manner and
expression, she was saying in a low,
satirical tone:
'sYou seem to take a strange interest
in Miss Hilary this morning, Mr.. North.
May suggest that your manner is a
little-just a little, perhaps-notice-
able?''
North flushed deeply: he had not yet
regaincd his self-possession. as his hur-
riedly uttered words proved.
s 81 have seen Miss Hilary before, Mrs.
MAYNARD. We are quite old friends -
he said.
The mockery in Mrs. Maynard's smile
Instantly changed to something else not
quite translatable, but suggesting utter
disbelief in his statement.
.'Indeed!.' she said, coldly. 'sNo one
would have suspected this from your
manner Of meeting her here two weeks
ago."
ssMy manner of meeting her" North
abruptly checked the indignant dis
claimer, adding, desperately: There
4 has been misunderstanding, Mrs. May
nard. which / cannot explain now, but
in few days more shall be at liberty
/ to speak In the meantime-win you
not pity rather than condemn"
TWAS an involuntary appeal wrung
from him by the fear that before he
could have an opportunity to plead his
cause before Myra some malign fate
might interpose and separate them
again. II he regarded Mrs. Maynard
- the representation Of that fate his
heart must have failed him, for marble
H sould not have been more cold and pitt.
less as she turned away from him with
the words:
sUnlcss you deserve condemnation.
you suru,y do not require pity. Your re
qucst ia confession, Mr.. North. ("
she IL him then, in order to receive
some one who had just entered the
4 DRAWN -rocm; and North, reviving as
4 If fr51a TO effects Of . sudden dash OF
cold u . i,und his wits sufficiently
to rsssE ,,t,a an immediate departure.
sceded, after writing few
10 the opportunity, in max
!. III. 81 .,iS to Mrs. Maynard, and had
Il .e,e1,s ia ss.,e drawinU-room door when