Griggs courier., 1895-09-13

and think nothing Of it. when he
wouldn't join his father in a drink.
And now that We are very sure that
we are going to be the happiest people
in the world. will run down to the
Office for q few minutes, If you'll ex-
cuse me. There's some important mail {"
Howard, we are going to take you
for drive" said Helen, disappointed
ly. Couldn't you give up the Office
just this once for us?"
"Well-er-you SEQ this is very inn
portant. but I'll tell you what we'll do.
Drop me at the Office and come back
for me in a few-say ten minutes-and
then-anywhere you like"
Howard verdery bounded lightly up
the stairway and into his Office,
whistling as he went. No one was
about, not even the janitor, as all were
enjoying the holiday, and a heap Of
letters lay upon the floor where they
had been pushed through the door by
the postman. Verdery gathered up
the lot and tossing them ON his desk
began hurriedly running through
them.
It was the first minute that he had
had to himself all day, and now as it
all rushed upon him, he felt sure, quite
sure, that in all the world there was
not a happier man than he. He sorted
out the letters, selecting such as he
deemed important, and ripping them
open, mastered their contents in the
quick fashion of the trained business
man. But he could not bring his mind
to the exclusive consideration of W hat
was before him. Helen's smile, Helen's
voice-Helen, Helen, Helen was before
him.
There was light step ON the stair
and the rustic of skirts. ''Helen al
ready, and I'm not half through" he
murmured gladly. his eyes moving over
the paper with greater swiftness The
step was at the door, and springing
up, with beaming, smiling face, the
letters falling to the floor, he stood to
meet her.
''Helen-"
He fell back a pace or two as if some
one had given him a blow. His out
stretched arms fell nimbly to his side
and the smile died on his face.
Howard, Howard"
It was a voice whose tones he we'll
knew, but which he had not heard for
years, and which he had almost for
gotten. A queenly woman with pale
and troubled face stood before him,
holding out her b and.
sHoward"
To the tortured man it seemed as if
whole half hour passed as they stood
thus He could not speak.
will you not speak to me?" she
asked.
what are you doing here?" he said,
in a voice that was not his own.
Howard, speak to me-just q word;
speak to me as you once did, and can
tell you" The woman was almost
pathetic in her appeal The tears
started from her eyes.
II never expected to see you again, :"
he went on rapidly, disregarding her.
"You have no right to come here. I
had forgotten you-you arc nothing to
me. What do you want here? Tell
me-quick. .s.
She was not . woman to be fright
ened; her face bore proof OF that, but
his words completely unnerved her.
Don't talk 70 me that way" she
begged, don't. Forgive me for COM
ing to you, but I could not stay away
had to come. saw by the papers
that you were to be married and it
drove me wild. thought could leave
you alone forever, but I could not bear
it cannot bear to see you marry an
other, Howard, cannot cannot.
It's nothing to me, know, but you
shall not"
You are wild-mad," he said, ex.
citedly. Her passion had aroused him,
almost frightened him. "You are a
perfect fool. You don't seem to un-
derstand that was q boy, nothing but
boy, with no ideas of duty or love or
anything. lam man now; / have
crushed the past under my foot, end
you-you with it
He had grown very calm and rcso-
lute now. The necessity for quick,
effective action had impressed him.
"Any minute my afasnced vita may
come IN tnat 0oOTs No ao10, ana &h0
must not.sse you here. Do you under
stand that? There IL the door," He
pointed to it thsstxically. But she did
not heed.
II shall not 60, :" she said II shall
tell her. Not that want TO harm you
II would do anything in the world for
you-but I'LL could not allow you
to marry anyone. It would kill met"
This is insanityr' he said. mad
ness! Why do you come here at this Of
all times? If had cared anything for
you would I have kept away from you
all these years? I have forgotten you,
forgotten that you ever lived. You
are nothing to me! Now. why do you
stay? Go. go-she, she-Helea-wil