The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1894-11-01

and Us she rested her head thought
fully on one slender white hand, the
clear, delicate profile Of face and figure
in it's perfect repose reminded him Of an
exquisite piece Of statuary. He invol-
unfairly paused to contemplate herr
and, proof though he. was against the
fatal spell of beauty, even he, the
cynical North, felt singular thrill
which was all admiration, but which
might have been something else had
the sous OF IN unspoiled man been In i.
Suddenly recollecting himself, North
advanced toward Mrs. Maynard across
the rich, velvet carpet. The scarcefy
audible movement aroused her from her
reyerie. Lifting her head quickly she
met North's eyes; slight change came
over her as she rose to receive him. She
stood for an instant
'neither set-possesseo
Nor startled, but betwixt this mood and that
Divided in q graceful quiet"
: A delicate flush, q faint, sweet smile,
a doubtful, questioning, wondering
perplexity; swiftly as ray OF light or
a passing thought these changes came
and went; and then, as If by magic-so
quickly that North almost doubted
whether she had changed at ala cold
stateliness came into her manner,
touch of hauteur that made him feel as
if an impassable distance had suddenly
been put between them; as, acknowledg-
ing his greeting with a gracious formal
ity, she said, in her low, flexible tones:
: IFS It possible, Mr.. North? You
never came more OPPORTUNITY. I am
suffering from ennui."
"You, Mrs. Maynard?'' cried North,
in gallant amazement. "Surely You
should be exempt from that affection;
I thought it was the peculiar privilege
of commonplace mortals like myself.
".Together with humility and all the
other praces of character?" queried
Mrs. Maynard, as she motioned to him
to be seated and sank back languldly
into the crimson depths of her fauteull.
II always knew. Mr.. North, that the
latter were your peculiar privilege ana
possession" ~1 : s.Ss7
lis sarcasm an infallible antidote for
ennui?" inquired North, as he wheeled
a chair forward slowly and seated him
self near Mrs. Maynard, while his eyes
held hers steadily for full moment by
their direct, quizzical glance. III 50,
Mrs Maynard, proceed. Your most
cruel satires will sound in my ears like
sweetest music
'"Then shall have no inducement to
utter them. You quite disarm me, Mr..
North. Besides, some mysterious in
tuition warns me that you have come
this morning for something OF far
greater Importance than mere pas
sage at arms. What is it, Mr.. North?
Word from New York at last? All!
see that am right! Tell me at once,
please, is the news favorable? Oh, it
must bel cannot endure the thought
of disappointment"
The delicate color that had flushed
into her cheek deepened now and her
dark eyes were sparkling with excite
ment as, clasping her hands daintily,
she looked up at North with bewitch-
ing expression of hope and suspense.
= A peculiar emotion which was neither
pity nor remorse, yet curiously re-
sembling both, held North silent for 9
brief time; then, with his grave, keen
glance resting on Mrs. Maynard, he an
swered, in low tone:
''Unhappily for me, Mrs. Maynard, it
has been beyond my power to control
this case or determine the results to
suit ourselves. But, whatever we may
have to regret, our suspense on at least
one point is ended, and on this we may
we'll congratulate ourselves.
An expression Of dismay, succeeded
quickly by incredulity, swept over Mrs.
Maynard's countenance. Leaning for
ward in her chair, she exclaimed, i'm
periously: 49,.
"You are speaking in riddles, Mr..
North! Pray tell me, to what impor-
tant announcement are these vague and
general observations the prelude?'
"Why-ah--in fact, Mrs. Maynard,
nothing could be worse;'' and North,
after vainly casting about for some
happy phraseology by which to soften
the intelligence, now plunged recklessly
into the explanation. Nothing could
be worse than the news that Hopkins
and Shepherd have sent us. It is my
duty to inform you that a decision was
reached in our case on Wednesday,
To be Continued.