The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-07-22
could never, never be 50 cruel as to re-

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step. The girl followed him and laid
one hand on his arm.
ieii me, she whispered beseech-
ingly. Then she raised herself on tiptoe
and kissed him.
cannot resist, he murmured, then
stopped suddenly and whispered some
thing into her ear.
is that all?' she asked, in evident
surprise. He nodded.
Ihe next afternoon Elsie refused all
offers OF companionship and went off
1or solitary stroll. AS she approached
little wooded copse about half mile
from the house young man sauntered
slowly toward her.
well, what success this time?'' he
demanded, without troubling to make
any preliminary greeting.
wait IA minute, Hugh" tho girl an
swered. II am quite breathless with
hurrying That tiresome Enid wanted
TO come with me- And wasn't ut all
sure of Alan not coming too
The man stood for minute or two
In silence, then glanced at his compan-
ion impatiently.
have got it," she answered quiet
~, returning bis glance.
HIS whole face changed and glowed
with triumph.
You little darling. you clever little
darling he exclaimed, and then took
her i'll his arms and kissed her passion
ately. She lay quite passive in his en-
brace. her dark eyes cleaning with ten
derest love.
Now we can marry" he Whispered.
But you have not told me yet, Elsie.
Are You sure you have got tho exact
details?''
1t is all written here, word for
word as Alan repeated it to me-" she
replied.
He read the paper greedily which she
handed to him, then placed it i'll his
pocketbooA and drew deep breath of
relief
80 that is all the secret of De-
maine's wonderful purple dye" he
said. We'll, rather think now that
the monopoly is destroyed. Won't the
old fashioned firm be nstonished when
they find themselves undersold in the
market by dye exactly like their own"
And he laughed u cruel laugh of tri-
umph. II always hated Domaine, he
continued always. This will be splen-
did revenge, besides making all our for
tunes. But come, Elsie, )" he added, lit
is time we were moving. I'll sec you to
the park gates, and then must get
back to town.
month passed away, and Elsie was
still visiting the Demaines, still out
wardly engaged to Alan. of whom new
ertheless she SAW very little.
Hugh" Elsie said to her lover one
evening, don't you think and then
she stopped in confusion.
"Think what?" said Hugh idly, with
ont looking ut her.
"That it is not very nice or pleasant
for me to be staying i'll Alan's home,
when have-betrayed him?" she ended
bravely.
u don't sec what else you can do"
retorted Hugh lazily. unless you go
back to your aunt'a"
The girl crimsoned to her brow.
Couldn't we be married now?' she
whispered in shamed tones.
He looked at her sharply, then replied:
"Look here, Elsie, it is best to be
straightforward. so we may as we'll end
this farce Mt once. I am engaged to my
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riod next month";
There was long silence. Up in the
bright blue heavens bird was caroling
merrily, and i'll n strange, mechanical
manner Elsie counted five daisies which
were in IL cluster at her feet. Then she
spoke:
so you just used mo as tool,
Hugh?''
Yes, he acquiesced shamefacedly.
She laughed-a strange, hard laugh.
1t does not hurt very much after all
hot very much" she repeated pite-
ously, and then without another word
turned and left him.
When Alan Domaine reached home
that night, his mother and sisters met
him with the news that Elsie had been
suddenly summoned to meet her aunt.
Though when she got the letter Pm
sure don't know. added Enid suspi-
ciously. Her brother made no reply, but
went straight to his own room, and
there, on the toilet table, lay tear
stained note.
have been wicked, deceitful
GIRL the letter ran, land now the
! greatest punishment / have to bear is
the knowledge that have brought ruin
upon YOU" Then followed All explana-
ton concerning her curiosity about the
dye, and the note ended with plea for
forgiveness.
In reply Alan wrote rs follows: "My
forgiveness you have fully and freely,
and l sincerely wish you every happi-
ness i'll the future. You must not dis
tress yourself about running me, as
the secret (?) which l told you con-
! corning the nurnln dun ic No conrot IL