The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-11-21

drawing-room and came to him with both her
hands extended.
t''I am 50 glad you came to-day - she said
warmly: and then, impulsively. she con-
tinued ~ so wished you would! / want
YOU TO congratulate me"
Why" he asked, smiling, misled by
has own preoccupation and her light and cor
dial manner Has your father given you a
horse?;
"No," she answered, smiling in return.
"a new gown, perhaps? Or promised you
trip TO Europe?"
No. she returned with pretended indig-
nation and then, speaking slowly, and with
emphasis. continued: - am engaged to he
married to Harry Crane. He told melt
only happened last night j am so glad you
came j did so hope would be the first to
tell you -
Hollis face paled. He felt cold he was
afraid that he would reel and fall. but he was
able TO save himself that, and in her con-
sciousness Of her own happiness Marian did
not notice his distress.
Why do you not congratulate me?" she
asked after little silence.
Pardon mel" Holt replied. "The sur
prise -
The surprise ~ Marian repeated, in
terruptng him Why, You must have seen
how much I-how much we cared for each
other. But congratulate me- she added,
imperiously
IL do congratulate you" Holt STAN
mered. No. j never saw ii. il was shabby
of Crane not 10 tell me Of his hOpes-of his
coming happiness. hope you will be
happy
why, how cold You are :" Marian re-
turned in disappointment Anyone might
have said that. You hope will be happy!
OF eOuEe ] shall be happy
iff" Yes 4" Holt returned, as he recovered a
little Of his composur; "Of course, shall
speak more warmly to Crane"
Holt never quite knew how the interview
was ended. il was a hard blow for him. 1t
was hard 10 bear that il had come upon him
without any premonition whatever, and it was
still bardertO bear that it was Crane who was
successful where he had failed 1t would
never have occurred TO him that Crane could
be a dangerous rival in any competition
Tncs bad long been intimate; but Holt liked
Crane without altogether respecting him.
Crane had always leaned upon him, and
Holt had always been kind and helpful Even
in their college days Holt had aided him in
his tasks, encouraged and led him in athletic
exercises; and, later, when Holt had been ad.
mftted to the bar, be had taken full charge o.
Cranes inherited estate.
1t was a hard blow to Holt, but he bore il
manfully. His disappointment and sorrow
wen great, but he did not let them over
whelm him. He went about his affairs regu
larlY.
Holt in his determination not 10 permit
his disappointment TO affect his life otherwise
did not spare himself; he would not avoid
Marian, and, after her marriage to Crane, h,
was their intimate friend and most freauen
visitor. He knew Crane well. He knew
how weak and how unstable he was and h'
feared that Marian's future happiness was no
so certain as he would wish it. And, as tim,
went on he found no reason TO dismiss hi
fears as unreasonable OF gIoundless.
One evening a little more than a year afte
the wedding, Holt found Crane awaiting hin
IN his own apartments
i say Crane explained, 81 want TO Sc
you"
That is pleasant, " Holt answered. "Yor
have not shown any very strong desire to SCI
me for a long time. You might have foun,
me AT your own home.n
''As usual? Crane asked.
Yes, as usual" +" Holt returned as, stand
ing before the fire, he looked down upol
Crane ] have Just come from there. BY tn
way, think ] may safely say you would b