The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1894-12-27

to do so again"
81 promise, and faithfully will fulfll,n he
returned, again bowling with mock chivalry.
Here" continued he, taking roll of
music from his pocket, "are several songs
that have just received, compositions of
an old friend Of mine, a college chum John
Castro, and most charming follow. / am
anxious to hear them. Will YOU not sing
them for mel'
She sang the songs, that proved one Of
them especially unusually good.
Like almost every other action of his in
connection with his prisoner, this littlemeet-
ing was entirely prearranged. He had re-
turned that morning TO Glen Gore, and i'm
mediately written note to Blanche.
One sentence in this note ran thus
'When your mistress and Dolores, with
Max, arc all together this morning in the
mushroom, and likely to remain so for a
half hour or more, throw open the blinds Of
the windows of the north chamber, toward
my cottage; then go down stairs and open
thcApper half of the hall door,"
His instructions had been followed to the
letter, and he was again successful.
1t was nearly an impossibili,y to him to be
natural, and no one better than he himself
knew this frailty. 1t grieved him. Spring
ing originally from morbid self-conscious-
ness, it became one of those unfortunate
circumstances connected with his life and
character over which he seemed to possess
no control. At last it grew TO such an ex-
tent that he was quite at loss to know his
own natural tendencies and inclinations.
He had fitted himself to 80 many roles that
he could not detect the true from the false
those peculiar to his nature from those for
eign toit.
He had for some time been debating with
himself which was the best course to pur-
sue In seeking to win the Princess affec-
tons.
Should he work upon her pityl Appear
as the unhappy, imbittered, disappointed
misanthrope, fighting against fate! Or
should he adopt the character Of o sincere,
ingenious, sunny and hght-hearted mani
"Better the latter,n thought he 1t
would disarm suspicion. Natalie herself
was naturally bright, hopeful, buoyant and
sunny rs the clear sky. Beneath it, he
knew, lay sometimes overpowering and
deep fountain Of melancholy and sympathy
that, once set flowing, flowed to no Ruthless
end. .ip +hU,s
Bow he progressed in the first part OF
his scheme has been set forth OF
course he had used little Dolores as o cats
paw in forming the acquaintance Of Ma
talie. Nor were the latter's suspicious at
all aroused. Again, the remarks of his
aunt with regard to his troubles did not fail
Of their purpose. Had this light-hearted
fellow troublesi II so, he concealed them
wonderfully well. His must be strong,
unselfsh character.
She fell to musing about him. The poison
began to take effect.
The remaining portion Of the morning
hours was devoted to music and CONVERSE
ton, so all-absorbing that Natalie failed to
note the flight Of time.
Suddenly las had been pre-arranged by
Fairfax with Blanche) the door of the
dining-room was flung open and the table
was seen set for two guests. Blanche, who
also officiated in the capacity of waitress
appeared surprised when she saw Fairfax
and exclaiming:
90 Madamoiselle, / beg pardon!" has
tened to close the doors again.
AS Fairfax expected, the Princess i'm
mediately said: blanche, place chair for
this gentleman, Mr.. Fox, of course you
will lunch with US"
Apologizing for remaining so long, he yet
accepted, and soon a happy trio was seated
at the pretty little ta5le.Natalie at the
head, little Dolores demurely at the foot, in
her high chair and Mr. Arnold Fox midway
between tho twain.