The herald., 1896-07-05

this. 1t is scarcely indeed an action, more
swift movement of her whole slender
body, but 1t Is vehement, repressive and
full Of a strange anger.
II will not let you speak to me like
that" says she, her voice trembling with
rage, thinks George. "You fancy that be-
cause have always been your good friend
that l care for you-in that way
There is something so naughty, so frig-
i'd, in her almost childish anger, that he
loses courage.
II thought only that you were my
friend" stammers he, drawing back a lit
tie.
well. so am, but you must let me re-
spect you"
why, what have done?" asks he. re-
covering himself again, as ne tells himself
she is proudly unkind and unfair to him.
II have only told you that you would make
me-" ~
"Oh, enough, enough" cries the girl
with an angry stamp of her small foot.
''How do you dare to talk to me like, that ?
Why it was only this--this--" hesitatins
as If suddenly struck by some crushing
thought, morning that-oh!' breaking off
with bitter sob, "can it be only this morn
ing-it seems hundred years ago since
poor Dick" she covers her eyes with her
hands.
"It does" says Meredyth in a low tone.
Both stand silent awhile, grief stricken,
then-"What happened this morning?'
asks he.
"Oh, 1t is nothing" pressing her hand
kerchief to her wet eyes. 'I don't know
why l seemed to care-so much, a moment
ago, but it was only this morning that she
told me YOU" She stops.
"She?''
Betty Is silent, feeling little ashamed
of herself for having given way in a second
of emotion to SO detestable a person as
Claudia-for, of course, he knows, without
saying.
"Oh, it is Claudia" says he impatiently
well, what did she tell you?"
THAT you were in love with somebody
Herself for choice,' contemptuously
"No, no, she seemed angry with you
with some other girl altogether. OF course
I knew nothing about it, but she evidently
| did, and" with a reproachful glance al
| him, $50 do you"
Silence again, very heightened one thi.
time, during which he walked up and dowr
l the library at least half dozen times, ant
| then
WELL" stopping short at last right il
| front of her, 81 confess to it,
| II am glad that you have thought /
necessary to tell the truth at last. Well
go and marry that girl you are in low,
with and don't talk nonsense to me-
There is a very splendid rage in her darl
eyes.
Whxy nd Ln eI
would only let me-
LET your"
eyes"
| "She has refused you?'
''Virtually.''
Betty's wonderfully expressive eyes gro,
| grimly mirthful.
"And serves you very we'll, too" say
she. "If you proposed to her while still
engaged to Claudia, you have only go
your Deserts
II don't know that quite proposed /
her, and I was not engaged to Claudia a
| the time"
"Oh, quite an old AFFAIR."" Betty grow
interested.
"It isn't, it will never be old-to me. AN
there was one thing about her, Betty, tina
l find it hard to reconcile with her charr
and her sweetness. Once when 1 was /
great trouble she showed me the utmos
kindness-she sustained me by her courag
and-what 1 thought was her love. Ye
when she made me regard her as m
friend, my comrade-as one before whoi
I might lay my heart with certainty tha
she would accept it, She
| "Yes? Yes?'' Betty is leaning FORWARD
tears in her luminous eyes.
"She deserted me. Would none Of me.
"Oh! wretch says Betty.
mo, she is not that
perhaps, then, even though you kne,
her before, she had heard of Claudia
Certainly she had. But she must hav
known too, l think, that / never reall
loved Claudia
81 should have nothing more to do wit
her, if were you," says Betty with an ON
| inous shake Of her small and stately head
"You give that advice?'
Certainly" very sternly. "Of course,
knew who she was, 1 could advise yo
further, but here poor Betty's wonderful
courage all at once breaks down. To Civ
him advice as to his marriage to another
"Shall tell you her manner"
| "Oh! no, no." She turns a very whit
face to his. II don't want to hear 1t.
don't want to know anything about her. G.
away and marry her
Meredyth catches her in his arms, an
draws her slender figure to him.
| 'I can't. I go away!-Let me tell yo
her name-Darling!'
| Betty's eyes with radiant smile break
| ing through their tears-hold question
| at is?' whispers she.
| spHTTvi,