The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1898-01-06

heavy sent her to bed, while down.
stairs Dick "a inquiring the where
abouts Of pretty Miss Cardew.
When he left next day he found him
self thinking Of her with very real re-
greet. If she had not been poor, and if he
had not been leaving England, he felt
he could have risked it after all;
though, by the way. she had bid him
good-by with a cold composure, which
left him no loopho'e for a repetition Of
last nights scene. While She! If he
could have guessed the depths Of her
feelings, ven teen at the last moment
he might have spoken again and saved
himself a bitter ~reaping.
II.
Three years have passed.
Dick Tremayre has received his pro-
motion and is on his way home. During
his voyage his thoughts turn again, DIS
they have done many times before, to
Joyce, and his long remembered last
evening in England. Thinks Of her
with late remOrse, mingled with a
pleasanter feeling, for has he not made
up his mind to speak to her at last and
ask her to make him more happy than
he deserves to be?
1t Is a dull, dreary November after
noo when he arrives at the Manor
House, and he feels an agreeable sense
Of expectancy as he alights at the ia
miliar door. A vapory fog envelopes
everything, INK the thought Of the
warmth within and Joyce is very pleas
ant to him.
Lady Tremayne is out" says the old
butler, land no intimation Of Captain
Tremayne's arrival has been received,
but Lady Carew is in the drawing
room"
Dick wonders who she may be as he
goes into the coy drawing-room,
which is illumined only by the dancing
fire light. A delicious perfume Of flow
ers fills the air, and az he enters some
n rises from a seat near the fire, a
slender figure in white. AS she ad-
ances out Of the shadow a fiery
tongue Of flame leaps up and lights
upon the sweet fair face, and a great
joy falls upon the man.
1t is Joyce.
He starts forward with outstretched
hands, and eager, glad words rise tu-
m~ultuously to his lips.
"'Don't you know me, joyce" he
cries; and then a look of recognition
comes into her eyes, but he does not no.
tice the little frown which wrinkles her
forehead for a moment.
"Of course l remember you, Captain
Tremayne," she says; and to his ears
her voice seems to have become sweet
er. He had had nc idea that she would
have developed in three years into the
lovely woman who now stands before
him, with a new dignity and sweetness
which become her well.
Tam evidently an unexpected guest"
he says, laughing, as they sit down in
the pleasant glow of the bright fire;
but L do not regret that, as 1 have met
you-irst.'
l. A smile crosses her lips, and she
looks into the glowing fire.
You did not expect to see me here
still, l dare say. Are you home for
long?"
Yes, 1 hope so; and then when 1 60
out again l do not intend to go alone"
He is very confident Of his position,
and not the least glimmer of doubt
darkens his present happiness.
Joyce" he continues, softly, shave
you guessed hat I love you,
dear? Do you remember that evening
we spent in the garden here before I
went away? 1 have never ceased to
think of you, and now, all. Joyce, l
love you, 1 love you. Forgive my long
silence and make me happy at last"
The eager words break from his lips
in a torrent, and her she looks at him
with q smile. Her sweet, clear voice
strikes him as almost cruel when she
speaks.
There is nothing to forgive" she
says, coldly. "We are both quite aware
that that past you speak Of vas purely
a matter Of amusement. One must
amuse ones self in a place like this,
you know. And, after all, it was simply
pour passer lie temps"
He looks at her uncOmprehendingly,
till a glimmer Of the truth breaks upon
him with terrible force. There is no
hope.
Joyce" he cries, desperately, SIS
this all you say to me after years of
devotion?
His absolute selfishness startles her,
and words rise to her lips which might
have torn the veil somewhat roughly
from his eyes, but she checks them,
and rises from her seat.
what more can 1 say" she says,
sweetly. "We are all fools at some
time of our lives, and we were no ex-
ception to that rule. All, Ted, is that
your"
The door opens and a a enters.
Joyce lays her hand on his arm. He is
a tall, ~inelooking man, broad-shoul-
dered and stalwart. Captain Ire
mayne," she says, turning to Dick.
with a smile, 81 must introduce my
husband, Sir Edward Carew. Ted, this
is Sir Johns brother"
The two men shake hands, and Dick,
reading the absolute trust and love for
her husband written in Lady Carew's