The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1896-02-04

ielt that his face was crimson, and,
with his eyes on his boots, cast about
for words in which to couch an apollo
gy or an explanation; but before he
could think of anything at all, the same
voice had said more sweetly than ever /:
"A thousand pardons, Cicely you
must let Dick entertain you for min.
ute. L heard Toms voice downstairs,
and positively must see him about
something
There was frou frou of silk, and
she was gone, without ever looking
back to see the two appealing glances
that followed in her wake.
The two, left alone, examined the
interior of the fire with an intensity
worthier of n loftier devotion. 1t be.
gan to dawn upon the man that the
whole thing was planned, and he
gained something of oblivion to the
position for moment by forthwith
giving his whole energy to the silent
apostrophizing of meddling women
especially Mrs. Vavasour. But the
present asserted itself again directly,
and he cleared his throat to begin /:
"Ot course I'll say adore the Pacific
trip" he said to himself
'Mrs. Vavasour's-a- remark lust
now," he began, requires perhaps n
little-a- explanation. What / had
mentioned to her-a-about-y ou-I
mentioned to her only hope You
will understand that-and did so-a"
The wished she'd say somethiug-any-
thing) "-a-under peculiar circum.
stances"
every, should think" the girl re-
marked, coldly; ''though indeed, 5"
correcting herself quickly" 81 have
no objection to oil the world knowing
one of my many suggestions to papa. {"
"Quite SO. So 1 thought" agreed
Thorne, losing his head.
"Then, why apologize?" coolly.
why, indeed? But you will let me
thank you, since / owe to-a-chanco
suggestion of yours my position.
"Quite n chance suggestion"
heartily.
"Well, I ought to congratulate my.
SELF"
A silence while he leaned forwar
to trace nm imaginary pattern with the
toe of his boot, and she tied ridicu-
lous little handkerchief into knot.
Thorne wished that Mrs. Vavasour
would return.
'The trans-Pacific trip will be quite
pleasant change" he said, with n
barren enthusiasm, because he felt
the strain of silence growing too great
to be borne.
Pacific! Are you"
Eyes. My boat is one of the sgd
ney and Vancouvers, you know"
"I-didn't know that"
A great wave OF resentment swept
over him. She either intended to de.
ceive him, he thought, or else had not
cared to what fever-stricken seas he
was sent, SO long as he was out of tho
way.
"You thought it was the China
route?' he said, steadying his voice
with an effort
mo. 1 thought it was the home
trip" the girl answered quietly.
"You did?' was all Thorne could
say in n strange voice. For In mo.
ment self reproach and shame, in that
he had taken an act of pure good ma.
ture as done TO gain selfish ends alone,
took the place of his resentment and
filed his heart. Starting to his feet,
he stood resting his elbow on the man.
tlepiece, looking down at the pretty
brown head and long lashes that
swept the flushed cheek and his voice
was deep and trembling when he
spoke.
"AIis Donaldson, 1 must ask your
forgiveness, said he, "for thinking.
what did"
Two beautiful fearful eyes were
raised in question to his, but only for
an instant.
/ thought.I believed" he went on,
determined to spare himself nothing,
THAT You had procured this foreign
command for me---merely to free
yourself from my attentions"
"But---how could you. when you
had never--never paid me any atten.
tions?' the girl faltered, with crimson
cheeks.
81 know; but you must have seen it
---seen that love you more than all
the world ] always felt I was un-
worthy Of. such a precious thing as
your love--.that 1 was not the sort of
mqn--all my life has been nj sea-.
that could make you happy. Now ]
am more unworthy than ever; / can
never forgive myself for the injustice
! have done you. Do not think too
hardly OF me. Good-by ~
She held out her hand TO him, and
pressing it passionatcly to HE lips, he
hurried out from the room and out of
the house. And at the sound of the
shutting Of the door below the girl,
w9lking as from trance, buried her
white face in her hands and sobbed
aloud
There was only one letter for Dick
Thorne when he brought his ship into
Sydney harbor for the first time two
months afterward, and thoro was only
lew lines; but almost every word
was underlined twice. And this was
what it said
"You Great 5tup1d.-.1i you choose
TO throw away your own happiness
and some one else's, 10 spite OF all
can do, ! can't help &C. Come straight
home by the next mail, and don't
make n fool Of yourself again. You're.
perfectly Disguised,
"MARY VAvAsouR.
And the next mail steamer carried
big, bronzed man, with straw col