Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-04-22

ard ever to think of it; and his reSOlu-
ton that he had thought 50 wise and
so good-was entirely foolish and unneces-
sary. 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
suspect the mad desire to see her face
once more that had brought him from
the other side of the world:
Thus thinking-if indeed the rapid
stream of recollections, suggestions and
reassuring convictions that rushed
through his mind could rightly be digni,
fed with the name of thought-he STROBE
boldly out into the corridor; a noticeable
figure enough from his commanding
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 speculations
as to who he was, and why he was 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 speculation.
Meantime. Maud had suffered her
partner to lead her to wide window
seat at the further end Of the corridor
from that where her old friend was seek
ing her. The girls face looked strangely
pale now that the flush dancing had
brought to it had died away; and there
was al eAI)ECSSIOH Oh SOuIbJuIuS very
like despair III her wide gray eyes rs
she listened to her companions eager
words.
You know you promised me my an
swer tonight Maud, and we mayn't have
SUCH q 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-time's up.
You won't ask me to wait any ionger!
A look of sudden dismay clouded the
boyish brightness of his face as he spoke,
but only for a moment
No, l won't ask you to wait any
longer" the girls words came slowly.
and with an evident effort: 'but-why
know that | don't care for you: No,
hear me out" as he would have inter-
rupted her. L like you, but [ don't
care, for you in that way, and l never
shall.
But you will. Maud; you must when
you see how awfully fond =
No, L never shall, | know. If you
insist on marrying me, you shall at least
do 1t with your eyes open, Mr.. Mel
bourne"
"'Oh. don't speak to me like that
"But [ feel to you like that. and l
self-scOrn. what have l to do with
feeling at all? If l marry you it will
be to escape from my present life: to get
away from myself-from the everlasting,
purposeless round of dances and dinners.
l have told you this before
Yes, and | have told you that l love
you"
and vet you don't hesitate?"
'For myself. no." He was silent a
moment a look of most unusual indecis-
ion on his face. But you put things
differently tonight, he said at length.
You say you shall never care for me.
| don't see how you can know that I'M
less
''Unless-?'' she faced him bravely.
though sudden flush showed she al
ready grasped his meaning.
You care for someone else he said,
very deliberately. DO you, Maud?"
Did she?
For moment he thought she was go
ing to break into indignant denials. then
all at once her face softened and
changed. and the light of a wonderful
joy flashed into it as she sprang to her
feet. eXclaiming:
''Denzili At last
Young Melbourne turned in astonish-
ment. Who was this stately looking
man that Maud should so 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 q word; nor did anyone see him
again that night.
And Denzil?
At the sight of Maud's eager eyes and
sweet. well-remembered smile. he for
got all his stern resolutions and care
fully-cultivated convictions. He had
never even dreamed of the possibility of
such a meeting as this, and the glad
recognition that rang in her voice fairly
swept him off his feet strong. Self-cOn-
tanned man though he was.
For she loved him, he saw it in her
eyes, heard it in her voice, knew it at
last-astonishing well-nigh impossible
fact though it 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 accompanied
him, and great was the wrath and in
dignation among the Draycourts, who
had tried so hard to make her in al re-
spects one with themselves. only to fail
so signally at last.
But Maud was happy, and once back
again among Denzil's people. and all the
cOngenial associations Of the past, she
soon regained the bright serenity and
sunny sweetness of nature which she had
Well-nigh lost in that alien land. to which
unbind fate and Denzils stern sense of
duty had for a time transplanted her
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