Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1894-03-30

lie removed his large hat and remained
silent.
lent, waiting for her to address him first,
he presented a very different figure from
the fanatic and demagogue whose vio-
lent words had cowed his rude compan.
ions - minutes before.
lis it you, Matthew North?" said
the girl, in clear, resonant voice that
sounded IN the young mans ear like Q
chime of joyous bells. She beckoned
him to her side with an imperious wave
of her small. gloved hand. "What are
you doing here at this hour, end why
are you not at your post In the miner"
North approached, holding bis hat in
one hand, while with the other he
stroked the glossy neck of the horse.
1T is holiday" he replied, with
an accent of contempt struggling
through his respectful tone. 1.-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."
Ralph Mon: kton." 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 fame of hatred sprang into North's
eyes as he answered.:
Il only caught glimpse of him as
he went by in his carriage. He did
not condescend to speak to us"
us he handsome. Matthew"
ut may be so, Miss Duke" replied
the young man, with an affectation Of
indifference which his resentful air be-
lied. II profess little knowledge Of
such things. His featu res are regular.
His face is colorless as a sick girl g.
His hair is light and carefully parted
in the middle. His figure is small and
slight"- He raised his own powerful
frame unconsciously, 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"
"Oh, Matthew, Matthew" laughed
the girl, why do you hate the poor
gentleman so?''
Gentleman" repeated North, step
ping back as if he had received.a blow.
Eyes, you are right. Miss Duke" he
added in a low, bitter tone. He Is a
gentleman, the owner of millions.
brought up in luxury aud college bred
yes. that makes him q gentleman,
even here in America, where we pre-
tend to recognize no class distinctions
and l, poor workman. his paid Ia
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, or''-glancing at the coarse fan
mel shirt which displayed the grand
muscles of North's chest-''t the meanest
attire. l am true American girl, Mat
thew. Never forget that"
II thank you for those words" ex-
claimed North, with a passionate ges-
ture which caused the young horsewom-
an to straighten herself in her saddle,
while her cheek flushed family. "A
man is q 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 ,us-
trous eyes upon the excited face of the
young miner, with q 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, lit
Is worth all the world to me. l would
lose life sooner than your good opin-
ion."
The black horse, which throughout
the conversation had paved and snorted
restively. now seemed to get his head,
for he bounded forward suddenly, az il
relieved from the curb. For an in
slant Matthew North saw a 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,