Evening star., 1896-10-24

its solution. and now that Dick was as
sured of happiness l was all the more de-
termined TO secure taat inritation-eve1
though l had to ask for II In plain terms,
or TO assume, with an insolence foreign
to my nature. that 1t lad been given long
ago.
For Maud-I could find no words to ex-
press her. / put my hand into the breast
pocket of my coat, and drew out photo
graph. 1t was not very good likeness; the
hair was not dressed in the fashion which
had become familiar to me-and that fash
ion, of a surety, was the most charming
that ever occurred to the mind of ingenious
woman. But still. the picture had enough
OF her to be for me the most beautiful
thing In the world-save only her sweet
self 1 had stolen it. to tell the truth. She
was stopping with the Luttrells with
whom spent my holiday at Sandyhar; and
Madse Luttren was a great favorite Of
mine. She had detected or foreseen my de-
yotion to Maud. / think. even before it re-
yealed Itself to me. At any rate, 1 knew
she would be discreet. and. trus ting to her
oleInency, had stolen this precious photo
when l left Sandybar.
/ had soon finished the meal which stood
ready ior me, and from which / had been
kept by Dicks note and by the emotions
resulting from its perusal. Then / found
rny nat and stick and my very largest pDe
and set out across London to Dicks rooms
The place was in darkness and untenanted
when i entered, but I knew that he would
not rail me. and struck a match to discover
II he had left a note to me when he would
return. Back at 81 ii read. Meantime
there's baccy and a new Stevenson" 1t
was now upon the stroke of q SO I lit the
lamp, found the Stevenson, ana prepared
TO spend an hour pleasantly The tin.
passed most happily; at last | i1.ia aside the
fook ard hileu my pipe. l walked across
the room tc take a spill from The rnantel-
shelf, and in a moment found myself raz-
Ing at the photograph of Maud Cameron
the girl loved, the girl hoped to marry
1t was In frame Of elaborately beaten
SILVER. already somewhat tarnished by to-
bacco smoke, and beyond a doubt was a
portrait of Dicks fancee. Stiu gazing
upon it, stricken with cold despair, and
striving to read in her face now that her
perfdy was reyealedD some sign which
should have warned me not to trust har
observed that this was now the one and
only photograph adorning his mantelsbelf
Now, in the old days Dick had been some
thing Of a connoisseur in female beauty:
his mantel had been interesting with mic.
lures of dozen pretty dancing girls and
actresses. Two OF three of these were even
aulograpned. That Maud should have
usurped the place which at once suf1ced for
a dozen was proof positive that she was
the sole mistress OF his heart
And yet could have sworn she would be-
tray no trust reposed in her l turned
away from the mantel-her face looked
Iortn upon me like a strangers out of that
frame-and took my copy Of her photo-
graph from my pocket. I laid It upon the
- ehe iuA HSHt OF the lamp 1t had
not all her beauty: her lovel.ness was half
OF eyer-changing expression. and SO must
needs escape the camera But stil the mir
ture gave the lie to all the overwhelminp
evidence which had crushed my faith in
her- For moment l was content; he might
account himself master Of her love. might
II IL pleased him. believe that 10 man dis
puted with him the kingdom of her heart.
For moment. despite all evidence. I be-
ileSed that she was still true to the un-
spoken fact between US; that she could not
betray me.
There was a sudden sound of footsteus
on the stair. hand upon the door. and
(even as thrust back her photograph into
tered. A s
Hope you've not had long to wait. he
said. Il bad to be out for awhile
Not long," 1 answered And II found
p1sn'y 10 occupy me. And now, 1 sup
pose. 4 must congratulate your
Dick laughed DO you only suppose. I
am me luckiest beggar In the world. Bat
never mind; You will see her some day ami
tnen 5ou will speak differently You will
envy me-madly: for. indeed. But wen