The Washington times., 1894-07-22

| ordered the visitor to be shown in. the beat
ing OF her heart almost drowned the sound o
her voice. Instinctively she took Captain
| Hungate's letter and thrust it into a volume
that stood on little table beside her; then
| with an effort stroye to calm herself. SO that
nothing in her outward appearance might be.
tray the agitation which reigned within. She
| - far succeeded that when she came FORWARD
with outstretched hand to greet the young
man who entered. not even the futter OF &
pulse or a glow OF color told of her emotion
There stood George Gerard before her. still
boyish In appearance, scarcely year Older
| than herself, seeming unaltered since las
they met; the same look OF gladness in hi:
blue eyes, the same sunny smile on his bright
| fair face, framed with thick crop of yellow
hair, the same look of indecisiou on those
| lips, shaded by tawny mustache, the same
handsomely moulded cheek. and slightly re.
treating chin. devoid Of whiskers or beard.
You are surprised to see me-" he said
| when their first greetings were over, and he
had sat down beside her, bending toward her
| as in the olden time when his lovo was YET
| unconfessed.
II didn't expect you," she answered, gazing
at him, as ii comparing his appearance with
the image which had lain in her heart all
these months gone by.
But you are not displeased?" he asked
anxiously.
I'm always pleased to see my friends ~
she replied, guardedy.
"And / am still among the NUMBER
You are, she said, softly, in voice that
fell on his ears like music
II didn't intend coming to see you so soon" p"
he said. speaking in n tone that betrayed his
agitation, because the time of probation I
had set myself hasn't passed; but-but /
heard something last night-a rumor which
made me come here to learn for myself from
your lips il It was true' He could saw no
more. for his throat and tongue were parched
by the excitement which consumed him.
'What is the rumoT!" she asked, gazing
out on the lawn that her eyes might not meet
his.
THAT you are going to marry Hungate-
tell me- tell me, is it true?''
II shall never marry Captain Hungate, "
she said, slowly and deeisively.
Then he cried out, in tone Of relief and
gladness. there is hope for me vet and
needn't despair; for. Laura, love you better
if possible now than when twelve months ago
you refused to be my wife. Don't answer me
don't speak to me until l have confessed all
to you. and then judge me. 1 blamed your
father and hated him. because he made you
break with me, knowing l had spent the
greater part OF my fortune on the race course
and at the card table. but now see he was
right. But your refusal blinded me, maddened
me; and to kill my pain with excitement 1
<
ling hell"
She spoke no word. but her eyes were full
of sorrow and reproach.
Don't look at me like that or I cant't go
on" he said. Il spent days and nights in this
hell. winning and losing. exhilarated and de-
pressed. forgetful of all things. until it seemed
as If my chances of happiness in this world
and the next hung upon the turning of II card.
Then fortune wholly deserted me. my reason
seemed to lose its balance. and staked every
penny possessed and lost"
low moan escaped his hearers white lips
when came to my senses, for think
must have been mad, 1 found myself in the
rooms of an old college friend, who had taken
charge OF me and was determined not to lose
sight Of me, as il l were n child, guarding
me from temptation, until at last recovered
myself. When 1 thought of what 1 had lost
in losing you wished myself dead; but one
day ray of hope came to me, and resolved
to renounce gambling forever Then, when
had kept my determination for twelve months,
intended to come here and say to you, I
have reformed: for your sake 1 have over
come the curse which darkened my life and
threatened to plunge me into misery. Have
pity on me; give me your love- have come
before the time has quite passed, because
heard you were to marry another; but now
am here, let me say you have never been ab-
sent from my mind night or day, that my
heart is yours to do with it as you please"
He took the hand which was nearest him
and raised it to his lips. How fervent!y she
owed him she never fully realized until now