The Forrest City times., 1894-11-09
And you married?" he said.


 Tn those days. Is he not so now?"
 "He died two years ago. pauper."
 Mrs Abinger spoke quietly. She had lived so long with the tragedy of existence that 1t had lost its most poignant thrills, and had degenerated into gray monotony of misery.
 No so Sir Angus Ferrers. A look of unutterable pity crept into his eyes. note of intense sympathy into his voice.
 "And you are"
 "A widow, and a pauper too"
 She made little gesture with her small. white hands; gesture that in- vited inspection of her poor gown, of her lack of jewels-and that told more plainly than could thousand words of genteel poverty and want.
 My poor Olivia" he said. and as she glanced at him she saw tears on his eye-lashes
 Lady Arlington grumbled next day to her husband of Mrs. Abinger's dull ness and Sir Angus Ferrers' silence. But that long dinner was, in truth, nothing but dream to the man and woman who had parted with such passionate tears fifteen years ago. and had met once again so unexpectedly.
 Yet, though both dreamed, their visions were so different. He, rich, titled. still in the prime of manhood, was absorbed in the dead past. If he had been firm. if he had married Olivia, how much unhappiness he might have saved her. how much peace it would have brought to him. self.
 And Olivia dreamed only of a future with the man whose image had been ever in her heart. of time of love and joy, and freedom from sordid money troubles. and shabby frocl1s and seml- genteel lodgings. And so, except when now and then they exchanged some conventional phrase. there was silence between the two who had so much to say.
 After dinner it seemed perfectly nat ural to Olivia Abinger that Sir Angus Ferrers should seek her, and. in- deed, she had chosen a quiet corner behind one of the tall rose-shaded lamps for their conversation. 1 It was she who talked the most; tell ing him of her great trials and disap- pointments, dwelling on them with the insistence of one who Is drifting | towards happier things. He sat and 1 listened, and as he listened looked; and as he looked was conscious of vague thankfulness that he. still l young man, was bound by no chain to the woman who sat before him. He tried not to see the lines about her large, dark eyes, the dragged hardness that marred the sweetness of her mouth He knew instinctively that her heart and her love were as fresh as the first day they were given 10 him, but for the life of him he could not repress a guilty thankfulness that she was-only an old friend.
 By and by he rose to go, but held her hand long in taking leave. Now that we have met again. l Olivia, we must not lose sight of one another. When may 1 come and see you?"
 She looked into his eyes and a happy smile curved tho corners of her lips.
 Whenever you please, Angus. Will you come tomorrow"
 And he bowed low and left her be- hind the glowing lamp, her heart beating high in her bosom with the surety that tomorrow he would speak and ask her to be his wife.
 Lady Arlington's voice reused her. Olivia, come out of your hiding place at once. 1 want you to come to Birmingham next Saturday. Will you?" Olivia smiled a ''yes," thinking what would any plans matter now. After tomorrow her life would be Angus to do with as he would. Most likely he would want her to go to some quiet river place, where they could be alone. In happy, dreamful silence she drift ed across the great drawing-room to- ward the group gathered about Lady Arlington. who was chatting volubly to half dozen women at once
 "What did you think of Mira Bert ram's hair? She changes the color every month, declare. Lady Susan was quite angry about it; but then, you know. she thinks it quite indecent to touch up at all. was so awfully vexed, by the way. that Lady Ferrers couldn't come. She's quite pretty, and her gowns-all fresh, ot course, for she's only bride-are so very smart. !"
 Lady Ferrers! Is Sir Angus mar ried?"
 Olivia Abinger did not know whether she or another asked the question. She only waited for the answer. ''Oh, yes; six weeks ago She's such dear little thing. and so nice. Her fathers place matches with his own in