Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1897-03-27

is too late for you to be wandering
about alone. But since we have met I
want to have talk with you. Let us
take a seat in the park for short time "
Lily turned with him, and they s;;t
down OH an empty seat near the park
gates. After moment s silence Walter
said abruptly:
Frank tells me he has not seen you
since you came to town, Miss Wilson?
Forgive me for interfering, but is that
not rather unfair? He is makinlO im-
self quite miserable over not hearing
from you"
''Does 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. II know it is quite unin-
tentional on your part, Miss Wilson, for
you could not do an unGind action, but
you are causing him great pain. can
not bear to see him unhappy. He and /
are like brothers, and know you will
excuse me for pleading with you on his
behalf. You cannot have any reason for
treating him like this, and he does not
deserve it. I believe he would cut off
his right hand sooner than cause you a
moments pain"
Lily sat quite still for few minutes
after Walter had ceased speaking He
looked at her in surprise. She seemed
different from the bright, vivacious girl
she used to be. Had she really intention
ally kept her address from Frank? Wal
ter had never thought of this before,
but had put her conduct down to care
lessness.
At last she raised her head and looked
at him in the dusk
"What do you wish me to do?" she
asked in low voice.
"To see Frank at once and put an end
to his anxiety and unhappiness, of
course. Surely, Miss Wilson, that is
what he might naturally expect from
his future wife!''
Lily turned on him suddenly and laid
her small white gloved hand Oh his arm.
"You ask me to do this?" she asked
passionately.
A curious thrill ran through Walters
arm as she touched him.
eyes" he answered steadily, 81 ask
you to do this. Surely it is the mode Of
action your own heart would dictate?''
"Oh," Lily said in the 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
intolerable, unbearable to me-ever
since-I-met-you
The last words We're almost whis-
per, but Walter heard them. His heart
gave wild throb, then almost ceased
to beat. What undreamed of, unheard
of thing had happened? Walter Mac
pherson had none of that vanity with
which some men are so plentifully en-
dowed, and he had never thought of the
possibility of any woman falling in love
with him. And Lily-careless, beauti-
full 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 in their corner of
the park, and pale yellow moon was
beginning to shed its rays OH Lily's
golden hair and dark, slight figure so
close beside him. For moment wild
long ing to draw her into his arms came
over Walter; to take the prize that was
SO suddenly thrown within his reach.
Was it not his by right after what she
had said? Then, suddenly remembering
Frank, he put the temptation from him.
Was he going to betray his friend who
had trusted him with his whole heart?
A dark flush rose to his brow.
81 am sure you do not mean what
your words imply, Miss Wilson," he
said. "Believe me, shall not think of
them again. Remember Frank, who has
not thought apart from you, whose
ambitions hopes and dreams for the fu-
ture are all centered round you, and
when the time comes be the true and
loving wife to him that he deserves
Lily, listening to his grave, calm
words, did not guess the wild tumult
that lay beneath the outward composure.
She only felt that she had humiliated
herself in vain, and she hid her face in
her hands,
A few days later Frank Ross burst
into the little sitting room where Mac
pherson was poring over his books and
executed dance more distinguished for
its violence than it's grace in front of
Walters astonished eyes.
Congratulate me, old fellow! Lily
has consented to marry me at once. She
is an angel and says she does not mind
being little poor for a year or two un-
til my studies are finished. She agrees
with me that long engagements are a
vast mistake. What cad / was ever to
doubt the dearest, sweetest girl that
ever lived! You must be best man, Wal
ter
with all my heart" answered Mao
pherson, giving him his hand. Frank,
i'll his happiness, which is apt to bring
with it seltishness, did not notice that
his friends face looked white and
drawn. "And 1 wish you both the best
of everything that life can give"
''Thanks, old chap" Frank said as
he clasped Macpherson's hand
tish Nights.
Wholly yindictiva