The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-03-11

mp nope or meeting ncr wrCn lie saw
her slim figure como slowly toward him
with book under her arm. He stopped
and raised his hat. There seemed an un-
usual GLOW; on Lily's fair face as she
gave him hcr hand
Il have 1ccn enjoying the park md
Il book all afternoon she said "Wc
seem destined to meet, Mr.. MacphCr-
son"
II was i'll hopes of doing So" Walter
said in his blunt way, looking from his
great height ut her gracefully poised
head and soft blue eyes, which locked
almost black in the gathering dusk. "It
is too late for you to be wandering
about alone. But since we have met I
want to have a talk with You. Let us
take scat i'll the park for a short time. -
Lily turned with him, and they sat
down ON an empty seat near the park
gates. After moments silence Walter
said abruptly:
Frank tells me he has not seen you
since you came to town, Miss Wilson?
Forgive mo for interfering, but is that
not rather unfair? He is making HIM
self quito miserable over not hearing
from you.
Docs he know you have seen me?"
Lily asked, her face, which had been
flushed few moments ago, gradually
growing pale.
No, have not told him." Macpher-
son answered. ~ know it is quite unin-
territorial on your part Miss Wilson, for
you could not do an unkind action, but
you arc causing him great pain 1 can
not bear 70 see him unhappy. He and I
are like brothers, and l know YOU will
excuse me for pleading with you OH his
behalf. You cannot have any reason for
treating him like this, and he does not
deserve il. l believe he would cut off
his right hand sooner than cause You Il
moments pain
Lily sat quite still for few minutes
after Walter he'd ceased speaking. He
locked ut her III surprise. Shc seemed
different from the bright, yivacious girl
she used to be. Had she really intentions
ter had never thought of this before,
but had put her conduct down to care
lcssncsS.
At last she raised her head and looked
at him in the dusk. Z.
What do you wish me to do:'n she
asked i'll Il low voice.
To sec Frank at once and /, at ar end
TO his anxiety and unha,,pinu, of
course. Surely, Miss Wilson, that is
what he might naturally expect from
his future wife,
Lily turned on him sLdtlomly and laid
her small white glovcd hand on his arm.
You ask me to do this?'' she asked
passionatcly.
a curious thrill ran through Walters
arm as she touched him.
Yes, he answered steadily, II ash,
you to do this. Surely it is the mode of
action your own heart would dictatc?''
oh, Lilly said in tho same low, pas
sionate tone, you will force me to
speak plainly and humiliate myself TO
the dust! Have you not seen that the
bond between Frank and me has become
lntolerablo, unbcarablc to me-evcr
since-I-mct-you
Tho last words wero almost a whis-
per, but Walter heard them. His heart
gave wild throb, then almost ceased
to beat. What undrcamed of, unheard
OF thing had happened? Walter Mac
phcrson had none of that vanity with
winch some men are so plcntifully en-
lowed, and he had never thought of the
possibility of any woman falling in love
with linn. And Lily-careless, bcauti-
ful LILY! For moment he thought he
must have dreamed that she whispered
those last words, then as he saw her
face he realized that it had been no
dream. Walter thought she had never
looked so beautiful as she did now.
They We're all alone i'll their corner of
the park, and pale yellow moon was
beginning to shed its rays on Lily's
golden hair and dark, slight figure so
close beside him. For moment wild
longing to draw her into his arms came
over Walter; to take the prize that was