The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1896-04-23

place! And he smiled grimIy to him-
self. Had not her self-complacent rsla.
tions been careful ~o point IL out to him
--most considerably, no doubt-fourl
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, und for himself
he would gladly give the ten best years
of his life just to hear her voice again;
just to meet her gray eyes once more
with the old frank smile in them that
he knew SO well. No possible risk-no;
he had been fool and coward ever
to think of It; 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 hel
have business in England as well a.
another man; and how should she sus-
pect the mad desire to see her face toi
face once more that had brought him
from the other side of the world?
Thus thinlIing-if, indeed, the rapid
stream of recollections, suggestions,
and reassuring convictions that rushed
through his mind could rightly be dig
nified with the name of thought--he
strode boldly out into the corridor;
noticeable figure enough from his COM
manding stature and grand breadth of
shoulder. Many eyes followed him as
he passed between the banks of flowers
with which the wide corridor was lined
on either side, and many were the spec
ulations as to who he was, and why he
wns at 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-
tion.
Meantime Maud had suffered her
partner to lead her TO wide window
seat at the farther end of the corridor
from that where her old friend waa
seeking her. The girls face looked
strangely pale now that the flush
dancing brought to 1t had died
away; and there was an expression Of
something very like despair in her wlde
panion's eager words.
"You know you promised me my
answer tonight, Maud, and we mayn't
have such a chance again. No one has
found out this corner yet; but it won't
escape the observation of the crowd
long. I've waited patiently, and haven't
bothered you a bit, and now-at last
times up. You won't ask me to watt
any longer?" A look of Sudden dis
may clouded the boyish brightness Of
his face as he spoke, but only for mo
ment.
mo, I won't ask you to watt amy
longer;" the girls words came slowly,
and with an evident effort; "but-why,
do you want me 10 say yes, when you
know that don't care for you? No.
hear me out" as he would have inter
rupted her. II like you, but I don't
care for You in that way, and never
shall"
"But you will, Maud; you must when
you see how awfully fond T."
mo, never shall, know. If you
insist on marrying me, you shall ak
least do it with your eyes open, Mr..
Melbourne"
"Oh, don't speak to me like that!"
"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 marry you it will
be to escape from my present life; to
get away from myself-from the ever
lasting, purposeless round of dances
and dinners. have told you this be-
FORE"
eyes, and have told you that love
you."
"And yet you don't hesitate?"
"For myself, no." He was silent a
moment, look of most unusual inde-
cision on his face. But you put things
differently tonight" he said, at length.
"You say you know you shall never
care for me. 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?"
For a moment he thought shc was go
ing to break into indignant oenials,
then all at once her face softened and
changed, and the light OF wonderful
Joy flashed into it as she sprang to her
feet, exclaiming:
"Denzil! At last!"
Young Melbourne turned in astonish
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 a word; nor did anyone
zee him again that night.
And Denzil?
At the sight of Maud's eager eyes,
and sweet, well-remembered 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 of his feet, strong.