The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1898-04-09

IT., .5ss &zsE II
MISS CLAY's EYES WE'RE STUDYING TIE
PICTURE III THE FIRE.
you live, seeing only what you see, it is
hard indeed to understand US Amid
the privations, the suffering, the danger
around me, should be worse than base
to think of such light things. Once,
perhaps, I was very different'-the red
glow burned on her face once more, the
firm lips trembled an instant, ere she
went on gravely-"but, even then,
those rumors were idle"
Forgive me, dear, believe Oh!
Caro-, forgot; serious things drove it
ont of my head but acho do you suppose
was here to-night?"
"How should | gucss?" There was
more of WEAKNESS than of interest in
Miss Clay's reply; but inborn courtesy
forced the addition: 81 am such a
stranger-an eXile-now."
IAN old friend of yours; and very
good one, too, they said. Frankly, do
not like him, though it may be DIR.
FELIX ! think he should be in the army
our army! But otherwise he's just
splendid. Guess
SIT would be useless" Miss Clay an
swered, absently, glancing at the clock.
"ThanlS Heaven, it is two o'clock"
"No you could never guess" Bessie
ran on. full of her romance ut was
Peyton-"
"Peyton Fitzhugh"
Carolyn Clay wheeled round upon the
sitting girl, towering over her with
eyes that blazed in equal anger and
amazement. Here? Tonight? In
this house?"
"Why not, dear? He is an old friend
of mammals, and very popular here
with both sets"
"Why not? Do they not know that
Why, Bess, he was the" With blaz-
ing eyes, clinched hands, and laboring
bosom, Miss Clay stopped suddenly
What it was she herself could not have
told; but again that inner something
stronger than her impulse and indigna-
ton, dominating her helpless will
whispered: Peace be stillY' She stood
silent, rooted to the spot, staring at her
friend.
81 knew You would be surprised, the
other went on. "And really, Caro-, you
do seem to recollect very well, consid-
ering your denial just now. If mere
name carries such talisman, do not
wonder so much at your unfeminine
curiosity as to that unselfish hero who
saved you at risk of halter"
Over Carolyn Clny's face, now pale as
death once more, swept thoughts too
swift and complicated for translation
by the ineXperience that watched it,
But, seeing them, the younger woman
ceased badinage, and, rising quickly,
passed loving arms about the tall form,
nesting her head upon its tumult-tossed
bosom.
Forgive me, darling" she whispered,
softly. II was silly, thoughtless. l,
too, know what it is to care for some
one. Were. | separated from Willie"
Abruptly, almost roughly, Miss Clay
ignored the caress and repudiated the
suggestion.
"You are wrong-utterly wrong,
child" she cried. 81 do not care for
that-that man. On the contrary,
hate--despise him. He is not fit to let
your feet spurn him-far less to touch
your hand. Does not your mother know
suspect"
"WhatP" Bessie's eyes grew wide
with wonder, as the other paused sud
denly. "Why, Caro-! never saw you
so excited-so worked up. 1t must, in
deed, be something terrible! Tell me,
pleased"
Miss Clay's face darkened, and her
breath came hard and quick. She
clinched her hands fercely; but still she
did not speak, only staring at the other.
Then, with great effort, she turned
deadly white face, lit by cleaning eyes,
upon her:
Bessie, that man is He it was
who" Memory, Observation-Disclosures
stronger feeling it may have been-was
too much for her. Again she broke
down, sinking in her chair and covering
her face, with the piteous moan:
sob, God! | cannot!-cGnnot!"
Wondering more still, but still deep
ly sympathetic, Bessie Westchester
watched this unwonted weakness of the
woman who had been her model of fear
lessness and strength.
Only one instant, though. The next
she was lneeling by her side, her arms
close about the heaving bosom, her lips
pressed upon the glorious, bowed head:
Forgive me, dear! Please forgive
mel was silly even to mention him
worse than silly to press you so. think
] understand"
Once more Miss Clay broke roughly
from the circling arms Once more she
stood erect with raised head and blazing
eyes; no weakness on her face now
only resolve so fixed as to make its lines
seem hard and c-ral.