Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-07-27

me-suppose he does not care for me in the least?'
 ''I cannot suppose it," Helen said "He must care for you. He has told both Dick and me hundred times you are the incest girl he ever met and his attentions have been most decidedly pro- nounced.'
 'I kmow," Monica put in, ''but still he has never said anything"
 ''It is early days yets Mrs. Leyton went on cheerfully, ''and dare say he has given you an inkling of his inten tions ere now.
 Monica shook her head.
 "You see, am so stupid. am not like other girls; can never tell" ..
 ''Mr. Hartley is coming tonight, the elder woman said presently. "He has been out of town for some time and seems rather troubled over Mark Gro ver's constant visits. He told Dick he wished to see you alone this evening, as he had something to say to you. Can you guess what this means?''
 "Yes," she answered absently. It was evident Mir. Hartley's intentions did not greatly concern her now.
 "'I shall marry MT. Hartley when he asks me, quoted Helen mischie- vously. "Eh, Monica, the world has changed since then
 "You know what have to say to you, Miss Newman," MT. Hartley said. "You must have known it for some months. To put it briefly-will you be Mrs. H--?''
 He drew deep breath of relief when the words were uttered and smiled rath CT affably upon his ladylove. She glanced back at him. Eeat and excite ment had caused his forehead and nose to shine more brightly tan ever, and his short body, not innocent of a sugges- tion of stomach, was shaking. She eyed him up and down slowly from the bald crown to the stout shoes, wondering even then if his countenance could possibly become any more purple when tho tight collar had done its deadly work, notic- ing the chameleon hued cravat, tho close ly buttoned frock coat and aggressive trousers with an almost imperceptible shiver. Mark Grover had stood in that very spot ill the forenoon. What diff ference! What dissertation!
 The color rose to Monica's s face.
 "I am deeply honored by your prefer ence, MT. Hartley, but I regret'-
 You are going to refuse mo, know you are, he cried excitedly. 1T will listen to no refusal In all my life I have never failed to obtain anything upon which my heart was set. My heart is set on you, and will take no denial You are the first woman to whom have offered marriage, and I decline to take no for an answer. have been coming here now for many months. I wanted to make sure that you were the woman for me. You are the woman for me, and insist"
 "InsiSt;"
 "Well, I don't mean that exactly, Miss Newman, not exactly that" he went on, little frightened by the flash in her eyes But am d plain, blunt man, and you know my way of putting things Perhaps I have made this pro posal too suddenly. Perhaps I should give you time to think ''
 She smiled at the notion, as if time would make any difference! But a chill ing thought struck her, and she turned to him again.
 
 ed me somewhat. Give me time. "Certainly my dear. How long?' "Give me week " It was quite feat for him, but he managed to bend down and gracefully kiss the hand she extended. Until this day week, then, my dear. '' How odiously familiar he had grown She almost smiled when she pictured his expression on receiving the answer she would give-the answer she hoped to give.
 All that night she did not sleep. "If only knew," she said as she paced the floor, wringing her hands If Mark would only speak. I think he loves me, but am not sure. I can never tell. Oh, Mark, oh, my dear, my dear. surely you care just little for the woman whose heart is breaking with longing for you Surely you would 1ovc mo if you knew how wholly my every thought belong, | to you! There will never be any on6 who will love you better! l "Oh, I wish I could tell" she went on, throwing out her arms impatiently 'Why cannot a woman put her fate tC the test as a man can and know the bes or worst? If I refuse Mr. Hartley. have no surety that Mark will ask me and cannot live here all my life dc pendent upon Dick. I am quite at In, | wits end. '
 Tho next day MT. Grover camc as usu al, and they went out together. She wa very pale, with glitter in her eyes Il of one who is determined to stakC wha is left Her vigil during tho hours O darkness would not go for naught.
 You are strangely silent today, Mis Newman, Grover said presently quite unlike your customary brigh self. "
 "I have no great reason to be cithe bright or talkative,' she said delibe1 ately, watching him with those feve lighted eyes. 'When ono is about t sign ones death warrant, there is scan room for cheerfulness.
 Your own death warrant? do nC altogether follow you.
 "No?" she said Well, Mr. Grover will explain. am going to be mal ried "
 Her devouring eyes never left his face She would not miss one motion of lip, tremor of an eyelid. Would it be trump> Mr. Grover did not attempt to conce; his surprise.
 "You don't mean '" he cried il credulously. Are you really about { be married?''
 She nodded briefly. "Well, am astonished, he proceed ed quickly. And who is the happy ma Mir. Hartley, of course?" ,, ''Mr. Hartley" she said. The eagt light had died out of her eyes and h' face was almost gray. She had stake , her one card and miscalculated u game.
 "You don't seem very happy over it, I Mark said, fixing his kindly orbs upc
 her.
 2 Monica Newman burst into sobs lou and deeD