The record-union., 1898-02-27

herself from the room, closing the door
behind her with unnecessary violence
leaving poor Mr.. Jones in a semi-petri-
fed condition
CHAPTER III.
Three days have passed. So we'll has
Harriet kept her word that not even
a glimpse of her has the miserable Dick
had in all that time. To-day is cool
and cloudy. with just the suspicion
of coming rain in the air. Directly af-
ter luncheon Dick takes his hat and
whistling to Carlo. his big Newfound-
land strikes off in the direction of the
village. He walks down the narrow
country lane whistling softly to himself
Reethoven's funeral march, as being
most appropriate to his feelings, all the
time keeping a sharp lookout in the
bushes along the road. He has feel
ing that Harriet will be out to-day. He
wishes to see her; to have, in fact the
dreaded explanation. He will tell her
how sorry he is, and ask her forgiveness
and then go away. Here his medita-
tons are cut short by the sight of u
blue dress among the bushes which he
instantly recognizes as belonging to
Harry.
Holding Carlo by the collar, so that
he will not rush ahead and betray him.
he creeps noiselessly forward.
Miss Hastings sits upon a fallen log,
gazing pensively into space. Her hat
lies on the ground beside her, and the
sportive breezes play unrestrained with
the ailken meshes of her hair, while
her idle hands are folded loosely in her
lap. The pensive attitude becomes her,
and a pang Of regret shoots through
the breast of Mr.. Jones. Looking at
her thus, though the memory of her
anger is still fresh upon him, he once
more makes the heroic resolution OF
telling her all, come what may. Filled
with this noble intention, he releases
Carlo and steps briskly forward.
At the sound of his footsteps she
turns quickly, then, seeing who it is,
half turns her back upon him and re-
sumes her former attitude.
'You?" she says ungraciously what
are you doing here?"
Il was only taking walk" explains
Dick, lamely. The sun is awfully hot
to-day. So when l saw this place it
I'd come in here and rest before go
ing on. I'd no idea I'd see you here,
though
Miss Hastings vouchsafes no reply.
Instead she edges a little further from
him.
"Oh. I say, don't let me disturb YOU"
says Mr. Jones, anxiously, III go away
If you say 50, but the truth is, l saw
you from the road and came in here
purposely to talk with you. There's
something I'd like to say to you, Har-
~, II You will only let me-" His tone
is very humble and quite satisfactorily
penitent: but the girl is merciless.
I'D rather not hear it, she tells him.
there's nothing you could say to me
now that would interest me-
Dick is silenced. He had come pre-
pared TO meet and combat storm of re-
proaches. This icy behaviour freezes the
words upon his lips. His self-imposed
task is growing harder than he had an
ticipated. He edges increasingly on the
log where he has seated himself beside
her.
Don't be hard on me- Harry" he
pleads. If you'll only listen to me I'll
go away and, never trouble you again"
She moves little, very little nearer
him, and taking this as a favorable
omen Dick continues hurriedly.
What want to say is that THAT
you-oh hang 1t all; that we have both
made an Internal mistake"
This is not at all what Mr.. Jones had
intended saying. He had meant to lead
up to the subject gradually, to let her
down easy, as he had expressed it 10
himself, and here he had gone and made
no end of muss of it. He glances at
his companion out of the corner of his
eye. not daring to look her full in the
face.
But Miss Hastings, having nothing to
conceal, turns her eyes full upon him
moment and answers calmly, Il know
we have"
You know it," gasps Dick in tones of
intense relief; "when-when did you
find it out?''
She tells him three days ago.
So great is his JOY at finding that
she knows all, and that there will not
be a scene that he does not think of
asking her how she found it out
You don't know what a burden 1t
has taken off my mind to know that you
know of your mistake he says and
smiles UPON her amiably
Mistake" repeats Miss Hastings,
wonderingly. Why, what on earth do
you mean?"
Great snakes!" cries Dick In tragic
despair. Then you don't know and
you told me that you did,
THE only mistake that am aware of
having made" says Miss Hastings,
slowly and distinctly, was when I al
lowed myself to become engaged to you.
wish to be released at once
In spite of the gravity of the situa-
ton, Dick strangles at its birth an idiotic
desire to give way to unhallowed mirth.
His features work convuls:vely in the at
tempt. and mistaking 1t for grief at the
impending separation, Miss Hastings
continues in more softened tone:
"Of course know. poor boy, that it
will be hard for you to give me up. But
am quite decided. Nothing can change
NE. dare say you will get over it in