Arizona republican., 1898-11-23
A Gittle Comedy
 of Errors
(Continued From Yesterdayl

l AlfS. Maynard was LOO thoroughly al woman not to understand the exagger- ation in this statement. She immedi- atcly decided that she would be justi- fled in renewing the attack upon the same line
 T wish, for his sake, that 1 could say as much for him. she said. slowly, af- fccting to be absorbed in her idle twirl- ing of the dainty hand-screen that she held before her eyes, but in reality watching anxiously the play of express sion in Miss IIil2rys Ghangeful face But he betrayed to-day, when off his | guard for a moment. q degree of inter- est in you which, under all the circum- : stances of your recent meeting here, seemed to me very singular, to say the 1 least; and when commented upon this fact he attempted to explain it by say | ing that you were old friends. It seems strange, does it not, that he should have resorted to q declaration i that is so easily proven to be mistaken?
 Miss Hilary was now pale as ashes, and in the soft shining of her eyes, as they were still fixed upon the coals, there was q suggestion of rcpresse1 tears. But she spoke ia firm, calm manner. after little silence, and with scarcely a perceptible unsteadiness in her voice.
 It is quite true, Mrs. Maynard. that we were once friends-and more than friends. If had dreamed that it would result in my meeting Mir. North, I should never have come to you at all. , No, mean if 1 could have forcscen that our meeting would be what it was, for l confess that l had expected something very diff crent if Fate should once more throw us together! But It is fur better to have all illusions swept away than to waste Onc's time in useless dreaming: i3 it not. ma chere?"
 My dear Myrar' It was the sweetest and most delicate sympathy that was mingled with the surprise in this low brcathed exclamation.
 ''Oh, I am forcing a disagreeablc con- fidence upon you.' cried Miss Hilary, with sudden little laugh of self-dis- dain. T forgot how uninteresting such things are to 2 third person. Pray for give me. Mrs. Maynard
 Not forcing, my dear Miss Hilary" protested Mrs. Maynard. reaching up quickly and clasping the fair hand that hung listlessly at Myra's side. Did not invite your confidence? Bat in decd. have no wish to intrude upon any experience that is sorrcwful or sa- cred: do not misunderstood the feeling that prompted me to introduce this sub jett.''
 Withdrawing her hand quietly after q E1Onlent,' Miss Hilary drew low hassock forward into the glowing firelight and seated herself near the chair in which Mrs. Maynard was reclining. For a moment she remained silent, with her gaze once more dreamily intent upon the fire. where a fairy castle, glowing from the very heart of the white coals, reared it's fantastic towers; then she be- gan slowly. in a voice in which a little effort was betrayed:
 1t seems strange for me to speak so freely of this affair, and yet. after all, there are sufficient reasons why I should confidc the story to you. Since we have been thrown together under your roof, and especially since Mr North has chosen suddenly to depart from the cold forrality Of a perfect stranger, with which he first met me here two weeks ago, and assume the at titude of an old friend-to which privi- lege he has forfeited every claim!-it is only right that you should know the little that there is to tell concerning my past acquaintance with him.
 II shall be glad to know all, my dear Myra, interpolated Mrs Maynard. softly. Ut may serve as a guide to my own future course.''
 - II met Mir. North continued Miss Hilary, musingly, in the " nite noun tains, four years ago. We were guests at the same hotel, and through the in troduction of common friend we were made acquainted. From the hour of his introduction he became one of our select party, and wherever we went, whatever we did. he was sure to be with us-witll me-" she added, i'll q lower tone. while the firc-light flashed !lorc rcdly for an instant over her pale checks. flor he devoted himself to me from the first. He charmed mamma by - his constant and delicate attentions to her, and when, after six weeks ac- quaiatancc, he asked for my hand in marriage, he readily won her consent. He had told us little about himself or bis family, but mamma understood from some New York friends that his antecedents were irIrprpa' habic. and she never thought of questioning the worth of hls personal charlo ter.
 immediately after our engagement we were Scparated- BlISlnesS called hlm home to New York, and mamma and I returned to Boston. Then felt upon mo the first bitter sorrow of my life I can not tell you the story that was brought to 1.lc-thc cruel, cruel story that for badc me ever to think of hum again! I tried to believe it was, false but so fair an aspect of truth dld it wear that was forced to give it crt-dcucc. Overwhelmed
 
 discovering that had been deceived. 1 acted foolishiy and hastily, my one thought being to sever the bond that had so suddenly grown hateful to me. sent the engagement ring back to him with the simple request tO be released from g promise which l was no longer Eln t.A fnltiu N1niL.l:l A..s ill nt thc