Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1896-06-18
No. 25

tions been careful TO point II out to him
most considerably, no douot-four
years ago? Certainly, there was little
likelihood of his forgetting now. No,
there could be no real risk in the meet
ing should they chance TO meet. No
possible risk for her, snd for himself
he would gladly give the ten best years
cf his life just TO heor her voice again;
just 20 meet her gray eyes once more
with the old frank smile in them that
he knew so well. No possibie risk-no;
he had been a fool and coward ever
TO think of il; and his resolution to
keep out OF her way-the resolution
that he had thought so wise and 30 good
was entirely foolish and unnecessary.
She need never know the reason of his
brief visit home" Why should not he
have business in England as well as
another man; and how should she sus-
pect the mad desire to see her face to
face once more that had brought him
from the other side of the world?
Thus thinlSng-H. indeed, the rapid
stream of recollecuons, suggestions
and reassuring convictions that rushed
through his mind could rightly be dig.
nifled with the name Of thought hs
strode boldly out into the c..rridor; o
noticeable figure enough from his conn
manding stature and grand breadth OF
shoulder. Many eyee followed aim as
he passed between the haIlks uf flowers
with which the wide corridor was liued
on either side, and many Were the spec
ulations as 10 who he was. and why ne
was ut the ball; since he spoke TO no
one, and nobody seemed TO know him.
But he passed on, unconscious alike OF
admiring eyes and fruitless specula-
ton.
Meantime Maud had suffered her
partner 20 lead her TO a wide window
seat at the farther end of the corridor
from that where her old friend was
seeking her. The girls face looked
strangely pole now that the flush
dancing brought to Is had died
away; and there was an expression Of
something very like despair in her vide
gray eyes as she liatened To her COM
panion's eager words.
'You know you promised me my
answer tonight, Maud, and we mayn't
have such chance again. No one has
found out this corner yet; but 1t won't
escape the observation of the crowd
long. I've waited patiently, and haven't
bothered you bit. and now-nt last.
times up. You won't ask me 10 wait
any longer?'' A look Of sudden dis
may clouded the boyish brightness OF
his face as he spoke, but only for mo.
ment.
"No, j won't ask you TO wait any
longer" the girls words came slowly,
and with an evident effort, "but-why
do you want me to say yes, when you
know that l don't care for you? No.
hear me out" as he would have inter
rupted her. II like you, but don't
care for you in that way, and never
SHALL"
But you will, Maud; you must when
you see how awfully fond L"
mo, l never shall, know. II you
insist on marrying me, yon shall at
least do it with your eyes open, Mr.,
Melbourne"
"Oh, don't speak to me like thatl"
But l feel to you like that, and I
must speak as feel Feel!" with swift
self-scorn. What have / to do with
feeling at all? If l marry you 1t will
be to escape from my present life; 70
get away from myself-from the ever
lasting, purposeless round of dances
and dinners. have told you this be-
fore"
"Yes, and have told you that love
you"
And yet you don't hesitate?"
ssEnr r,aVaalf To xnynr oilanf m
moment, look of most unusual indie.
cision on his face. "But you put things
differently tonight" he said, at length,
"You say you know you shall never
care for me. l don't see how you can
know that unless"
"Unless-?" she faced him bravely,
though sudden flush showed she al
ready grasped his meaning.
"You care for some one else" he said,
very deliberately. "Do you. Maud?"
Did she2
For n moment he thought she was gor
ing to break into indignant denials,
thep all at once her face softened and
changed, and the light Of q wonderful
Joy flashed into it as she sprang to her
feet exclaiming:
''Denzil! AT lastl"
Young Melbourne turned In astonisR-
ment. Who was this stately looking
man that Maud should go to meet him
with outstretched hands of welcome
and brilliant, rapturous smile?
No matter who he was, the boy felt
that his question was answered. He
took his dismissal quietly, and left
them without word; nor did anyone
see him again that night
And Denzil?
At the sight of Maud's eager eyes,
and sweet, aforementioned smile, he
forgot all his stern resolutions and
carefully-cultivated convictions. He
had never even dreamed of the possi-
bility of such meeting as this, and the
glad recognition that rang in her voice
fairly swept him off his feet. strong,
self-contained man though he was.
For she loved himi he saw 1t In her
eyes, heard II in her voice, knew 1t at
last--ast onishing, well-nigh impossible
fact though IL was; and this being so,
nothing could come between them; no
proud, disdainful relations could part
them any more, and when Denzil Clax-
ton returned to Australia after his
brief visit was over, his wife accom-
panied him, and great was the wrath
and indignation among the Draycouts,
who had tried 80 hard TO make her in NIL
respects one with themselves, only to
fail so signally at the lastl
But Maud WAS happy, and once bacIt
again among Denzil's people, and I'LL
the congenial associations OF the pasA
she soon regained the bright serenity
and sunny sweetness of nature which
che had well-nigh lost In that alien
land, TO which unkind fate. and Denzls
stern sense of duty. had for q time
transplanted her.-Household Words,
Ready Next Time.
There seems to be an occasional slight
Misunderstanding as TO the nature Of
the aurora. Certain people have, In
deed, regarded II as fixed appearance
as regular in It's course as the sun and
e,,N A.1b