The Banner-Democrat., 1898-03-19


pressing her hand; "yet even to such
it is given to repent and to mako lepara
tion."
She startled, but forced fippant
smile
"Contrition is out of fashion, and all
such s,lf-mortifcations. But let us not
generalze thus, let us talk of more
fascinating theme-yourself, for in
stance What of those successes?"
"They pertain to the election, sweet
scorner, and before we discuss them
wou,d beseech your corporation In an
other matter, also an election, but not
political"
"I have no influence, sir"
"On the contrary, you are the sole
sovereign of the situation, and an ap-
peal to you is q settlement of the ques-
tion. Sit here, dear divinity, and listen
to my prayer"
"Oh, a prayer, is it? / fear you may
| find your vinity to be OF rather dark
| and caprcious type"
She sat down, however, on the maj BILE
seat by a pretty ornamental! drinking
fountain, and looked at him with inward
| agitation and outward amusement,
while he solemnly filed the two silver
EdgODS GDdb uuuS ny tuc uua
put one in her hand
"You will drink to my success, my old
time friend?" said he, with besecching
| tenderness.
She drank to his success with laugh
ing effusion.
"And now, sweet mistress of beauty
indestructible, said he, poising his own
| flagon aloft, "let me drink to our friend
ship-which once was love-" and he
| drained the cup with an ineffab.e glance.
She bowed low, smiling graciously;
but she cou.d not control the burning
| blush that famed her cheek, nor the pal
lor that succeeded it.
1t seemed as If he had sacrils giously
disturbed the bones of the sacred dead
when he lightly jested about that early
love. He threw himself at her side, and,
| lounging forward where he could watch
every fitting expression of her face, re-
| marked in a confidential tone:
@How old is that affair between you
and me, ma belle?"
avery 3D." said she, calmly; $50 old
that have forgotten the details"
What unworldly innocents we were
in those days." breathed he, with tender
amusement 3At least / was, for you
were very wise, even then, remember,
and did not in the least believe in love
among the roses'-on cottage wal"
Chilled and humiliated by this persi
fiage, Mrs. Dellamere found no reply
"And how I persisted in claiming a:
my own this beautiful hand" taking Il
delicately in his finger-tips), though
had not so much as diamond ring tt
| deck it's loveliness! And how / criet
after my fair cold Lady Moon, quite un
| able to give up gracefully to the beati
| tudes she had scared to! But now," hi
went on, intent on torturing her into
submissions; "now / fully perceive youl
wisdom Had we married then, wher
your whole dover was beauty and mine
/ true love, how obscure our existence
might have been! To be sure we nigh
have been happy and pure-but what ;
primitive condition to live in"
"Rather crude for our embryo diplo
| mattel" laughed she-and what anguish
thrilled in her laughter! 81 don't in th'
least believe you could have done 1t. In
deed know that affair." as you Justl!
name it, was but an amusing episode IL
pour life. Something as ephemeral a.
that grand passion of which you ravet
in certain grassy lane between Mrs
Dellamere's Pavilion and Inchape Fosse
five years ago."
In her agony she hal turned at last
and she knew where to strike. His fac'
darkencd, there was ferocity as well a
sudden quivering paia in it, end fam'
of quick hate leaped out at her in hi
flashing glance.
sThat was brief alteration, soon re
pented OF, (" said he, bitterly, "a momen
tary madness which more fortunate
j first love would have made impossible
That, too, 1 lay to your account, swee
lady. All! what do you not owe me b,
way Of reparation."
He hung over her, marking the effec
of these stings rs she shrank and paled
exerting her social training to concea
her pain; and his eye sparklcd witt
malicious JOY.
"Eh bien! We have strayed far from
your election which is not political
Suppose we return to that subiect?"
"Very good, and very apropos of th
| reparation you owe me-" laughed he
"But it is a prayer have to make; an
you are the divinity 1 must pray to-"
She would have vehemently decline
tha part, but she dared not show hir
the power he had to torture her.
proceed, then. but do not ask amiss,
said she, family.
He fastened his bright cruel eyes upo
hers threateningly, as ii he would dar
her to resist his will, and began wit
mock solemnity:
@Fair goddess, hear my prayers
want happy home"
@You shall have it-if you make it,
replied she, forcing herself to resEon
TO his trifing humor
II want loyal supporter"
@Be you loyal"
81 want a wife. I"
To this she only bowed.
"Fair goddess, desire her at you
hands"
She gazed at him as If petriied.
Dare she believe her ears? No, nc
this mans heart was indurated, h
could mock at and insult that beautiful
love which had been theirs when thei
spirits were pure; he was only tryin
his power over her. hoping to bctray he
into some self-revelation at which b
would laugh. @Fair goddess, have yo
forgotten your role?" he insinuated, hi
gaze mercilessly probing her.
@Proceed, proceed" faltered she, pas:
ing her perfumed handkerchief acros
her lips as If to cover an arch smile, bu
holding it there to hide their Quiverin
pain.
ado you grant. my petition?"
"Truly you have great faith in tn
| efficacy of PRAYER. sir devoted Ho'