The record-union., 1895-07-20


family, adjusting feathery golden brown
chrysanthemum in the bosom OF her
dress. Thanks; but ought you to say
it? Aren't you afraid that the Duchess
will hear you?''
THAT is my affair."" he said, with the
shadow of frown. ''All l care for, what
l have been waiting for, is TO hear you
say that you love me-that you Will
marry me!'
He had risen now, and stood facing her,
gazing directly into her eyes. She drew
back, and he noticed that her face was
pale and irresponsive; it's expression
batf1ed him; it suggested an embarrass-
mont of which he had imagined her IN,
capable. Don't keep me in suspense!"
he pleaded gently. ''Surely-"
"Waitp' she cried quickly, a sudden
flush of color suifusing her cheeks. Il
told you that l was dreadful creature.
and now you will believe me. And yet,
goodness knows, l meant to stop you be-
fore! Oh, didn't you see that L hated
you?"
Ives stared at her with a blank face.
"You hated men' he murmured
slowly.
,'At first, when you came-irom her
| don't quite hate you now; l wish did.
1t would be easier to tell you"
But il you don't hate me! Why, what
have you to tell?"
''That-that l have treated you shame
fully I" she murmured. And alter ALL
didn't you deserve it? How have you
treated your cousin, his sster?'
''4 ou-you have been playing with
me!' he put III quickly, reading her eX-
preston now in flash of inspiration.
"Y on have been SO cruel?'
She bowed her head silently. ''It
seemed a fair revenge | never thought
you would take it SO seriously" Then
pna hrnL into
all, you know that | was an actress! Can
l help my nature? Forgive me Forget
our little comedy ~
Comedy! You can call it that And
Lord Noel? Why? l don't understand" ;"
why 1 dismissed him. broke it off
All, for that l have to thank you; you
gave me the cue, the occasion. But l
should have done it anyhow" she added
in minute. 1T was only because be
wouldn't take no. He was a nice boy.
but he bored me; it would never have
DONE"
He took a step toward the window and
gazed out at the dreary garden, where the
rain pattered torlornly on the fallen
leaves; recovering his self-possession
slowly, proving himself, as a man rally
ing from stunning, physical shock.
proves his limbs in fear of broken bones.
When he turned a revulsiOn of feeling, a
healthy reaction had already set in he
was even calm enough 10 appreciate
dimly the fine irony OF his punishment.
Miss Eaunthorpe anticipated him when
he was about to break the silence II
have further confession to make; there
is no end to my enormities You may
as well know the worst OF me. l have
to-day engaged myself TO marry Mir.
Nettleton."
She raised her eyes for an instant as
she spoke, courageously, but Ives 1ancied
that their radiance was dimmed by tears.
ou have beon making fool of me all
the time ?'' he asked gently. Excuse
tho question; it viii make it easier for
me-"
she nodded silently, with lowered gaze.
We'll, you have succeeded. l admit it
freely. y gu have taught me a lesson
for which / can even guess that / ought
to be grateful. And it seems to me that.
if l say that | forgive you, that [ bear
you no malice, accounts will be square
between u.s."
Miss Faunthorpe blushed "You are
generous; you make me feel more than
ever ashamed
He held out his hand as if to say good
by, and she took it frankly, holding
it for an instant. "1ou did come to
break it oa?' she asked tiinidly as they
parted. My engagement with Lord
Noel, l mean-though you didn't know
NuoLu0i CdItO IUl iIllll tS All,
then that max es it easier tor me Good
by-forgive me. and forget! ~
He still hesitated. You were acting
ell the timer he asked.
Miss Faunthorpe nodded. "AIl the
time! After all.'' she added as he left the
room, 81 didn't know for certain what
you intended; [ didn't mean that you
should go so far"
AS Ives Jared on his homeward way
across Regents Park, he congratulated
himself more than once in that he had
not written TO the Duchess-that he had
not burned his ships. Strangely enough,
he felt relieved and elated; if he had not
won, 1t seemed to him that he had at
least saved his stake; and he was happier
than he would have been if he had not
found the courage to risk it. He was
able to contemplate the prospect of his
return to Appleford, and all that it i'm
piled, with a resignation which was at
least very tolerable imitation of eQuan-
unity. He found himself approaching
from new point of view the immense
propriety, the fitness and security of his
match with his cousin, Lady Hilda.-Mc-
millan's Magazine.