The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-08-20


resolution TO keep out Of her way-the res
olution that he had thought 40 wise and so
good--was entirely foolish and unneoes-
sary. She need never know the reason Of
his brief visit home" Why should not he
have business In England as well as an.
other man, and how should she suspect
the mad dohre 10 see her face once more
that had brought him from the other side
Of tho worlds
Thus thinking-if indeed the rapid
stream OF rccolloctiOns, suggestions and
reassuring convictions that rushed through
his mind could rightly be dignified with
the name Of tbought-he strobe boldly out
into the corridor, "a noticeable figure
enough from his commanding stature and
grand breadth of shoulder. Many eyes fol-
lowed 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 admir-
Ing eyes and fruitless speculation.
Meantime Maud had suffered her part
ner TO lead her to wide window seat at
the farther end of the corridor from that
where her old friend was seeking her. The
girls face looked strangely pale now that
the flush dancing had brought to IL had
died away, and there was an expression Of
something very like despair In her wide
gray eyes as she listened to her compan-
ions eager words.
"You know you promised me my an
swer tonight, Maud, and we mayn't have
such a chance again. No one has found
out this corner yet, but IL won't escape the
observation of the crowd long. I've waited
patiently and haven't bothered you bit
and now-at last-time's up. You won't
ask me to wait any longer?" A look of
sudden dismay olouded the boyish bright
ness Of his face us he spoke, but only for a
moment.
"No, won't ask you to wait any Ion
ger"-the girls words came slowly and
with an evident effort-"b ut-why do you
want me TO say yes, when you know that
don't care for you? No, hear me out, A"
as he would have interrupted her. II like
you, but l don't care for you in that way
and never shall"
"But you will, Maud; you must when
you see how awiully fond p
"No, i never shall, i know. II you in
sist on marrying me, you shall at least do
it with your eyes open, Mr.. Melbourne"
"Oh, don't speak to me like that"
But i feel to you like that, and must
speak as l feel Feelp' with swift self
scorn. What have / to do with feeling at
ALP II l marry you, 1t will be to escape
from my present life-to get away from
myself-from the everlasting purposeless
round of dances and dinners. have told
you this before"
Eyes, and have told you that l love
you"
"And yet you don't hesitate?"
"For myself no." He was silent mo-
ment, look of most unusual indecision
on his face. but you put things differ
emily tonight" he said at length. You
say you know you shall never care for me-
/ don't SEQ how you can know that I'M
less
"Unless''- She faced him bravely,
though sudden flush showed she already
grasped his meaning.
You care for some one else, )" he said
very deliberately. do you, Maud9'
Did sheg
For moment he thought she was 60
ing to break into indignant denials, then
all at once her face softened and changed
and the light of wonderful joy flashed
into 1t as she sprang to her feet exclaim-
ing:
"Denzil! At lastr'
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 bril-
liant, 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
"A a IA hot
night.
And Depzils
At the sight of Maud's eager eyes and
sweet well remembered smile, he forgot
all his stern resolutions and carefully cul-
tivated convictions. He had never even
dreamed of the possibility of such meet
ing as this, and the glad recognition that
rang in her voice fairly swept him off his
feet, strong, self contained man though he
was.
For she loved him. He saw it in her eyes,
heard it in her voice, knew it at last, as
tonishing, well nigh impossible fact
though IL was, and, this being SO, nothing
could come between them; no proud, dis
dainful relations could part them any
more and when Dcnzil Claxton returned
to Australia after his brief visit was over
his wife accompanied him, and great was
the wrath and Indignation among the
Draycourts, who had tried so hard to MAKE
her in all respects one with themselves.
only to fail SO signally at the last.
But Maud was happy, and once back
again among Denzil's people and all the
congenial associations of the past she soon
regaincd tho bright serenity and sunny
sweetness of nature which she had well
nipb lost I'm that alien land to which up-
kind fate and Denzil's stern sense of duty
had for time transplanted ber.-House-
hold Words.