The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1894-09-26

had faith IN you, Falrleigh." Muriel
made the above avowal unfaltering
with the frank fearlessness of proud
pure woman. "Then Lucy resolved
to make use of one or two club Cos
sips, and told them confidentially that I
had lost my money. They repeated
the tale even more quickly than she
hoped; yesterday it was the talk of the
clubs"
A variety of emotions were depicted
on Fairleigh's face, none of them of a
high order.
"Am to understand, Miss May" he
slowly asked, shat you are still rich
woman?"
"a day or two ago, while shopping,
lost $50-all the money l had with me
at the time. Otherwise, my fortune re-
mains intact"
Then, am to understand that you
have been playing trick upon mep"
he demanded.
There was stern ring in his voice.
He was trying to make this girl feel
that she had gone much too far with
him.
II never play tricks" haughtily.
There was something in her tone now
that warned him. So he smiled and
continued:
"Muriel, dear. l didn't mean trick in
the contemplate sense of the word
But you certainly attempted to perpe-
trate very clever joke upon me. You
have succeeded admirably. But 1 for
give you."
"Oh, you dop"
Certainly"
"You are very kind"
"A man must be very indulgent to the
woman he loves"
$50 you still care for meP"
"Can you doubt itP"
ain view of what has just taken place,
yes"
"Muriel, can't you understand that you
iested with me, and that jested in re-
turn?"
ooh, that was itP"
"Yes."
"And you feel that you have tri-
nmphed in the matter of iesting?"
~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
toward a reconciliation.
"Muriel, he went on tenderly. Il can
not remain more than five minutes.
After that, can not hope to see you in
side 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 retreated, and,
by an imperious gesture, restrained
him.
"Do not insult mel" she cried.
"Insult you?"
"How could it be otherwise than an
insultp"
"But Muriel-Muriel, I love YOU"
"Cease mocking me, sir You forget
that a moment or two ago you cast me
of-because you thought I was not a
rich enough prize"
mo gentleman, sir, uses profanity in
the presence of a woman"
He thought now that she was really
jesting but glance into her cold eyes
undeceived him.
Then, Muriel, you, who have played
a joke upon me, are offended because l
have dared to retort in kind"
81 am not offended, SIR"
~Then. dear, will you kindly define
the emotion that does dominate youp"
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
tedious. Mr.. Fairleigh. We have both
had opportunity TO say all that needed
to be said. have another caller who
is waiting. VIII you oblge me by
taking your leavep II permanent
leave?
Il am frightfully unfortunate, he
persisted. "Muriel, tell me that you
have not been jesting at all. Tell me
that you are really poor. I have known
for months that 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, MIR. Fairleigh If you
persist in staying here against my
wishes, why, then, have a coachman
who is muscular fellow. He never
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 me?"
"No; not if an appeal will answer the
purpose equally Well.
There was heavy silence. Muriel
stood with her hand on the back of a
chair, looking straight at the man be-
fore her; the flower in her bosom rose
and fell quickly; but there was no other
sign of mental disturbance. Fairleigh's
face had grown grey 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 /
can not alter your opinion of me"
He paused, hoping she would speak
some reassuring words, but she did not.
"You will think as kindly of me as
you canP" he tamely added.
"Good-bye," she said, and his last
hope died as the cold, clear tones smote
his ear.
For several minutes after he had 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 moment. In the next she stood
erect, in every way her own mistress
again. She loosened the fast fading
flower from her dress and passed into
the hall.
Roth was waiting there. 70 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 Muriers
eyes and quenched their naughty fire.
Fairleigh, glancing through the win
dow of the vestibule, saw all, and knew
the better man had won.-M. Y Jour
gal.