The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1894-11-02

tone, though perhaps q shade slower
than usual, is firmer than ever.
Only she changes color, or grows
pale until her very lips are bloodless.
"You speak without thought Or
reflection" she says, gently. .sYou
have considered nothing. No, no;
do not interrupt me! / am sorry
this has occurred; but there is 30
eason why we should not forget
what you have just said, and be good
friends as we we're before"
There is a reason, and a strong
one" returns he, very quietly now;
land as to our being mere friends,
that is quite out of the question. Do
you imagine me an impulsive boy to
say a thing one moment and regret
it the neXtP / have dared to say to-
night what 1 have wanted to say for
many days. And l must have my
answer now"
"And my birth-have you forgot
ten that?" demanded she, looking at
him fxedly.
81 have forgotten nothing. But to
me it makes no difference. Princess
or peasant, how can it matter? l
love you. Darling" says the young
man very earnestly, taking both of
her hands and holding them closely.
81 ihplore you to believe in my love!
Take time for reflection, consider
well. | entreat you to give me nc
hurried answer"
Il do not hurry" returns she, in
a strange tone; ID will not even ar
que with you. Let us say no more
about it; and please let my hands go,
MIR. Penruddock. l cannot marry
you-indeed l cannot"
But why?-at least, tell me
that" demands he desperately. re
fusing to release her hands. ..Maud,
answer me! Do you-is it rue that
you love another better. and that is
why you cannot are for me-"
"No: that is untrue" replies she,
with quick pain in voice and eyes.
81 love no one better than you;
which means. of course"-hurriedly,
and with a sad little q~uivering
laugh-''that 1 love no one. You
Will unQefS GanQ me.
.'Only too WE'LL" returns he sadly.
He lifts her hands and kisses them
separately, in a forlorn, lingering
fashion. "And yet there is some
talk of Stretton, he says. miserabIy,
his face haggard and unhappy.
believe nothing you hear" she
says impressively; only this-that 1
shall never marry"
Rising and turning abruptly from
him, she owe toward the ball
room, and standing in the doorway,
gazes, without seeing anything, at
the swaying crowd before her. Pres
entity she becomes conscious that two
dark eyes are fixed upon her; she
turns restlessly, and Captain Sauna
rez stands at her side.
'Not dancing. Miss Ncville?:" be-
gins he, lightly. land all alone,
tool" Then with a change of man
ner and throwing some concern into
his tone. he says, quietly, ''You look
overtired. May l take you out of
this to III of the smaller rooms be-
yond, or in here?" pointing to the
conservatory she had just quilted.
''Oh. no; not in thereI" excIaims
she with some distress. '.But l
shall be glad to get away for a little
while"
Taking his arm, she makes her
way slowly through the dancers and
the lingerers at the doorway, and
presently sinks with a sigh of relief.
into a low chair, in a small room
that opens off an ante-chamber.
The music seems so very far away
that the noise and confusion could
almost be forgotten. Oh, that
she could not get rid of her com
panion. and find herself. if only for
one short half hour, alone!
stSomething has annoyed you. Can
1 help you in any way??" says
Saumarez, in his gentlest
You n very good. No; it is
nothing: 1 am only slightly fatigu-
ed" returns she, ~listlessly.
''May 1 get you something's A
glass OF. wine-some ice water"
THANK you-nothing."
Her evident determination not to
be friendly. her extreme GOODNESS of
voice and gesture, pique him beyond
endurance. What has he done to
her that this proud girl should treat
him with such open distant?
Il saw you. go into the conserva-
tory about ten minutes ago." he
says. after a slight pause, some
reckless desire to rouse her from
her apathy, and bring anger, if he
cannot summon love, into those
beautiful eyes below him, melting
him to his speech. s'You seemed
greatly disturbed when you came
out again. Was that boy rude to
you"
THAT boy?" repeats she, in an
impossible tone.
Il am speaking of Penruddock."
returns he, with a cool persistence.
'.Was he rude"
81 hardly know how to answer
such a question:" says Miss Neville,
frigidly. 81 knew until now
to-night-that any man could be
rude to me-"
..Ah! then l am to understand he
did offend?" says Saumarez, insolent-
ly, his evil genius at his elbow.
Il was not abiding to Nh. PEN
ruddock; he is incapable of any act
of l~I-hreedinp. was alludinp to