The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-10-19

gazing AT the photograph or Maud Cam-
eron-the girl l loved, the girl hoped
TO marry.
1t was in frame of deliberately beat
en- silver, already somewhat tarnished
by tobacco smoke, and beyond doubt
was a portrait of Dicks fiancec. Still
gazing upon it, stricken with cold de-
spair, and striving to read in her face
(now that her perfldy was revealeo)
some sign which should have warned
me not to trust her, L observed that
this was now the one and only photo
grnph adorning his mantelshelf. Now
in the old days Dick had been some
thing of connoisseur in female beau
ty; his mantel had been interest
ing with pictures of dozen pretty
dancing girls and actresses. Two or
three of these were even autographed.
ThatMaud should have usurped theplace
which at once sufficed for a dozen
WAS proof positive that she was the
sole mistress of his heart.
And yet 1 could have sworn she
would betray no trust reposed in her.
i turned away from the mantel-her
face looked forth upon me like a,
strangers out of that frame-nnd took
my copy of her photograph from my
pocket. / laid it upon the table in the
full light of the lamp. 1t had not all
her beauty; her loveliness was half Of
ever-changing expression, and so must
needs escape the camera. But still the
picture gave the lie to all the over
whelming evidence which had crushed
my faith In her. For a tboment was
content; he might account himself
master of her love; might, il 1t pleased
him, believe that no man disputed with
him the kingdom of her heart. For a
moment, despite all evidence, believed
that she was still true to the unspokcn
fact between us; that she could not
betray me.
There was n sudden sound of foot
steps on the stnir, hand upon tho
door, and (even as / thrust back her
photograph into my pocket) the door
opened and Dick entered.
Hope you've not had long to watt"
he said. II had TO be out for awhile"
"Not long," / answered. "And II
found plenty TO occupy me. And now..
j suppose, must congratulate your"
Dick laughed. "Do you only suppose?
i am the luckiest beggar in the world.
But never mind; you will see her some
day, and then you will speak different
ly. You will envy me-madly; for in
deed But we'll wait until you have
met her; only / promise you you may
snfely venture your congratulations.
Here Is her photograph, by :he bye;
a wretahedly bad one, but still not oil
unlike"
He moved to the mantel and handed
me her picture, inclosed in that abom-
inal frame of his. took 1t from him,
and for minute and more guzed hard
upon her face.
lit is all true" i kept whispering to
myself. "She has betrayed me"
Dick watched me in silence, evidently
convinced of my admiration; in reality
was wondering whether il would be
better to tell him that we had met.
Presently he broke silence. "Wellq"
he said, holding out his hand for the
return of her photograph.
"You are very lucky" I answered,
slowly. ''She is very beautiful"
AYE" he said, oontentedly, "but you
don't know how beautiful. That photo
graph is a libel" He put IL back upon
the mantelshelf, and selected PIPE.
Then he stretched himself in an easy
chair.
"Sit down." he said. "I have not heard
q word of you since you went for your
holiday in June. Have you nothing TO
tell me? Still confirmed in your
misogyny?" n
"You mistake" I said. 81 am not q
hater of the sex. I am merely not en-
gagged"
"You will laugh" he answered, "ond
say judge you by the measure Of my
own acts. But, upon my faith, fan
oied as came upon you that you would
be telling me in moment that you also
were In my predicament ] thought