The Monitor-register., 1897-04-02


like the Gagged bear Miss Ware had coH-
pared him to. II like Belt, but I should
feel like a murderer every time she gave
him-her accepted lover-one of her
sweet smiles. 1 couldn't look at her and
know that she belonged to some one else.
Ill go to morrow morning-no, 1 won't
EIl 60 to night"
He glanced at his watch, wondering if
he had time to catch the evening train.
1T leaves at quarter to six, and it is
half past five now. No. 1 cannot go to
night, but FL go upstairs and pack my
law books"
He was Kortipg out his possessions half
an hour afterward when Harry Belt came
into the room.
"Well. old fellow" he said, trying to
smile a greeting, as the handsome young
law student entered, 'shall l offer you my
congratulations ?"
mol" said Belt, shortly, pulling at
bis long mustache, and throwing himself
into the leather covered arm chair.
Hello! She hasn't"
eyes, she has"
"Rsfused your"
EXACTLY"
Leslie started in black astonisbment.
The idea that any woman in her sober
senses could refuse Harry Belt had never
in the course of his widest speculations
entered his brain.
did she give any reason, Belt ?"
"She didn't want to at first, but |
pressed her rather closely, aud then she
owned up there was some other fellow
whom she liked better. 'CopfJund him.
says l."
You're wrong there, Harry Belt. If
there's any man that is worthy of Ger.
trude War e's love and has oil her heart,
| should be the last to grudge him the
treasure he will possess. l say Godspeed
him and keep him to cherish her as she
deserves"
"Fhil, you are an odd fish," said Belt.
looking at him IS one would regard a
strange anomaly. "There isn't a bit of
jealously in your nature"
Eyes there is-lots of it," said Philip
hammeriug a Blackstone" down into
his trunk. "But I mean to conqaer it
liks a man, Harry. I'm sorry for you
just as sorry if l hadn't loved the girl
myself"
Il believe it, Phil" said Belt, grasping
the others hand, and respecting his
honest nature as he never had res pected
it before.
All that rig bit Philip Leslie lay awake
watching the faint starlight creep along
his wall, and listening to the v~oiceful ST.
lence of the midsummer night. And
when it was daylight he rose and pre-
pared for the long journey that was to
take him away from Gertrude Ware.
Gerty had not got out her morning
sewing when Philip came in to bid her
good by. She was busting the piano
with a small, rainbow tinted, feather
duster-a dainty piece of work which
she liked doing, and generally took some
time about it.
"Gerty, | have come to say good-by!'
She stood leaning up against the piano.
looking like a fair, dropping lily, witch
the bright feather brush in her hand.
philip, are you going away from US ?"
YES" said Philip, speaking bravely,
and trying to keep the crimson from his
cheeks. -,
why a'1.:Hss
"Gerty.si1 SssEnEdfhe young man simply.
dearly-love you as a man loves the
woman he would make his wife. You
knew this before yesterday ?"
81 suspected it,"
She spoke very low, with her fair head
still dropping, and che curls lying on her
shoulders like motionless coils of gold.
"Very well, Gertrude. when Harry Belt
spoke to you last evening, and you told
him that you had given to another the
treasure we both coveted-your heart
Gerty-I felt that l could not dwell longer
under the same roof. So Gerty, l am
going to turn pilgrim once agaiu; will
you bid mt Godspeed ?"
Philip" said Gerty. playing %pervously
with her bright colored plumes, ''did
Harry tell you who it was tfat l liked
best ?"
mo, Gerty."
81 did not tell him."
Leslie stood silently holding her hand
in his, and looking down into her averted
eyes, but he did not speak.
'Shall l tell you W no it was, Philip ?"
'If you please, Gerty ?"
He felt that he would rather not hear
his rivals name, yet he could hardly re-
fuse her protfered COZ fiiepoe.
"Phil, can't you guess ?"
"No."
She laughed and flushed aud stood on
tiptoe to whisper, and then shook her
curls impatientiy.
"Stoop down, you great tall giant!
How can 1 reach your ear p"
he stopped, still holding her hand and
instinctively dreading to hear the name
spoken.
"Philip, 1t is"
"Well ?" for she had stopped with her
coral lips close to his ear.
"You. Philip!"
He started back, with the blood mount
ing to his very temples.
"Gerty, you would not be so cruel as
to joke upon-upon such a subject"
Il am quite in earnest, Phil"
"But Gerty, I Am clumsy and awkward
and you"
Il know it, ste answered, demurely.
"And yet you care for me ?"
Sand yet l love you with my whole
heart! Phil, you are worth a dozen
Harry Belts"
II don't think l am dreaming he