Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1894-06-28

IOW thtt
and continued:
.NurieI. dear, I didn't mean a trick
in the contemplate sense of the WORD.
But YOU certainly attempted to per-
netrate a very clever joke upon Inc.
You have succeeded admirably. But
l forgive you"
"Oh, you do"
Certainly
"You are very kind
"a man must be very indulgent to the
woman he loves"
$50 you still care for me!
Can you doubt it?'
In view of what has just taken
place, yes"
"Muriel, can't you understand that
Won tested with me, and that l TESTED
in return?
"Oh, that was it!'
Yes"
And you feel that you have triumph
ed in the matter of JestlnSE
1T would seem that L have
"Oh. you are clever-very clever!'
THANK you" -.
But her manner made him feel that
he was not making rapid progress TO-
ward a reconciliation.
'Muriel," he went on tenderly, Il can
not remain more than five
After that, l cannot hope TO see you
inside of three weeks. Let us make
the best use of that time"
He stepped forward, as If to clasp
her to his breast, but she r~etreated,
and, by an imperiouS gesture, restrain
ed him.
DO not insult me!' she cried.
Insult you?'
How could it be otherwise than an
INSULT"
But, Muriel-Muriel, L love you"
Cease hooking me, sir. You forget
that a moment or two ago you cast me
| off-because you thought l was not a
rich enough prize"
"Muriel, | swear-"
"No gentleman, sir, uses profanity in
the presence of a woman.
He thought now that she was really
testing. But a glance into her cold
eyes undeceived him.
Then, Muriel, you, who have played
a Joke upon me, are offended because
| have dared to retort in kind"
Il am not offended, sir"
"Then, dear, will you kindly define
the emotion that does dominate your
Contempt"
Don't be cruel. Don't you see, dear,
that you're breaking my hearth"
"Oh, some other heiress's money will
prove an ample balm"
Misunderstanding"
"This interview is becoming very te-
dious, Mr.. Fairleigh. We have both
had opportunity to say all that needed
to be said. / have another caller who
is waiting. VIII you oblige me by
taking your leave?-a permanent
leave.'
tairleigh gazed penetratively at her,
but devined that his case was growing
more hopeless every minute.
Still, an heireSs is not won every day.
1t would be well worth his while to try
a little longer.
Il am frightfully unfortunate" he
persisted. "Muriel, tell me that you
have not been jesting at all. Tell me
that you are really poor. l have known
for months that l loved you, but /
have never realized it so much as now,
when your caprice is so near to parting
us in earnest"
Cut this short" Mr.. Fairleigh. If
you persist in staying here against my
wishes, why, then, / have a coachman
who is a muscular fellow. He lever
liked you. Believe me it would give
him real delight if / were to order him
to throw you out of the house."
Are you threatening meY'
mo; not if an appeal will answer
the purpose equally Well"
There was a heavy silence. Muriel
stood with her hand on the back Of the
chain, IA1l-sN~ rvs pht nt thn man hn-
fore her; the flower in her bosom rose
and fell quickly; but there was no 9th
er sign of mental disturbance. Fair
leigh's face had grown gray and cold.
He knew that nothing he could now
say would regain for him the prize he
had lost. And as far as in him lay
he loved this woman
He turned to the door.
Goodbye, Miss May. I see that I
cannot alter your opinion of me"
He paused, hoping that she would
speak some reassuring words, but she
did not.
You will think as kindly Of me as
you CAM" he tamely added.
Goodbye" she said, and his last
hope died as the cold clear tones smote
his ear.
rW StNCIul AlluuttS dlIeT uc Ddu
gone Muriel did not move. Then the
color came slowly, steadily back to her
face. She took her hand from the chair
smiling %scornfully as she swayed slight
ly for a moment. In the next she
stood erect, in every way her own mis-
tress again. She loosened the fast
fading flower from her dress and pass
ed into the hall.
Roth was waiting there. To him
she tossed the rose.
You have won the wager" she said.
Roth's good plain face was trans
figured as he bent to rapturously kiss
her hand. The tears rushed to Muir
iers eyes and quenched their naughty
fire. Fairleigh glancing through the
window Of the vestibule saw all, and
knew the better man had won.