Marble Hill press., 1896-11-12

knew herself to be the handsomer Of
the two, but the persuasion added to
the hopelessness of her ill-fated love.
The qualities that had knit to this
girls heart that of the man who had
seen the beauties of two hemispheres,
which had kept him true to her and her
alone, although opposed by absence, dis
couragement and the wiles of scores
of other women, lay beyond her power
of analysis and counter-charms. She
began to understand how it had come
to pass when she had commanded her
wits so far as to talk five minutes with
Edwards betrothed; owned reluctantly,
that had she met her as new acquaint-
ances generally meet she would have
been irresistibly attracted by her win
ming ladyhood and the countenance
that united so much sweetness with
sense and spirit.
There was time now for little beyond
the kindly commonplaces suitable to
their meeting in public place and
their prospective parting, and even
|
and the others deemed considerably,
that the last precious moments with
his affianced might be all Edwards.
Without verbal pretext, she arose from
her place beside Evelyn and passed
around to Mr.. Pynsent's side, engaging
| him in conversation about his voy-
age and destination. The atmosphere
was degree less sitting there. If she
moved, smiled and talked mechanically,
it mattered nothing now that the pen
etrating eyes she most dreaded never
left their resting place upon the visage
of which they were taking long fare
| we'll. There was little to be appre-
| hended from the rich mans restless re-
CARDS, which wandered necessarily
from her to the betrothed couple, his
gray eyebrows contracting with pain
or mental disquiet as he did so. Had
Evelyn been free to maintain her usual
watch upon him, she would have taken
alarm at these increasing symptoms of
| distress and the livid hue settling up-
On his complexion. Constance did not
| notice these until, simultaneously with
the changing of the bell overhead and
the rapid rush of feet toward the shore,
he threw both hands outward, with the
a1mless clutch of sightless man, and
fell against her as she sat by him on
| the sofa.
The utmost confusion reigned in the
saloon for few moments-exclama-
tions, inquiries and orders-loud,
varied and useless. Then Edwards
strong voice recommended in string
ent terms, that the room be cleared
of all except the immediate attendants
of the sufferer, including gentleman
who had introduced himself as a ply
slcian. The spasm passed into swoon
so deathly and protracted that Con-
stance was ready to believe the pa
tient was beyond the reach of earthly
aid, Notwithstanding the doctors as
sertlon that he would probably revive,
and even Evelyn murmured once when
Edward would have confirmed the
cheering assurance. "It may be. I
hope So but l never saw him quite
so i'll BEFORE" II
F1nally,life fought its way back, inch
by inch, to the worn heart; the fingers j
relaxed from their rigid clinch, the Inns
were less purple, and the.eyes were IN
closed feebly upen the anxious groups q
WHEN he could move Edward and the
physician supported him to his state
room, followed by Evelyn. Constance
left to herself, had leisure to observe
what had not until now drawn her at
tention. The hustle of embarkation had
ceased, but through the almost desert
ed saloon sounded the measured throb
Of the powerful engines as they urged
the boat through the water. She threw
open a window and looked out. They
were already far down the bay, the
spires Of the city lessening in the dis.
tance, and the vessel under full head
way. She met Edward at the state
room door with the startling intelli-
gence. For an instant he looked as
aghast as herself, then he recovered his
se1fpossession with a smile. She
must compose herself and trust
him to extricate them both from
the predicament in which his
thoughtlessness had placed them.
The worst that could befall them was a
few hours delay In returning home.
He would see the captain forthwith,
and request him to signal the first
homeward-bound pilot-boat or other
vessel they might espy.
Constance did as he bade her-re-
sumed her seat, and seemed to await
the result Of the affair patiently. II
am afraid your brother may be alarmed
at our continued absence" was her on
ly remark.
He will understand at once what has
happened when John goes home with
the news that he drove us down to see
the steamer Off" replied Edward. con-
fidently. I'VE shall have a merry
laugh tomorrow at breakfast over our
So long as you are NOT nm