The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-04-23

You are very good to me- he said, deeply
touched by her unaffected sorrow.
Then why go away? Why won't you stay
He smiled sadly.
Heaven knows I should like to stay.' he
sald; but it's impossible. Well anyhow, I
nave beautiful memory to carry away with
me. kindness such as | have received at
Wooosloe is rale thing in this world Miss
Van But l wanted before 1 VENT won
th so-il care. You see, I'm much older
t ian you and-thcugh you may think my in
terference unpardona ble-and I know 7 have
no rlsht-only will you not tell Mrs Wood
.iiie Oh your engagement to Mr. Goodwin ?"
ne stammered turning as red as a girl but
~ ing nlmsef to the task, which he felt to
ne an oolous one now that he had performed
MY engagement to Mr.. Goodwin" said
Nan slowly. What do you mean?"
he said nothing.
He was dumbfounded by the stony nalIor
"hlch suddenly came over her face
VIII you explain yourself, Mr. Adair?" she
asked, quietly
indeed, am. But you're very young-and
and -desperately-"it would both grieve
and pain your mother to learn such thing
by accident, as she might do Adair's face
aVerted from the girl. There I've told you
l don't know if you'll forgive me, but 1 had
to do it,
Il don't understand you in the least"
me like this? 1 am not engaged to Mr.. Good
win; never have been. I do not understand
why you should insult me by imagining
by imagining She bit her lin to keep
down a rising sob. 81 do not know"-pite-
ously-"what I have done that you should
think so lowly Of me-"
veil was torn from Adairs eyes, and he
engrily eXecrated his folly in being deceived
by Goodwin's clumsy plot.
He scarcely burst examine his own motives
in moving in the matter.
He was only miserably conscious that Nan
was suffering acutely through his agency
and that he did mol know how to comfort
her.
He stared blankly out of the window for a
minute two.
81 don't know how to apologize I cannot
excuse myself" he muttered, with downbent
head. Il have been nisnformed. I dare not
hope that you will ever forgive me-
You thought-you thought that I-I-was
secretly engaged to that man?s cried Nan,
with quivering lip. How could you? I
can't forgive you--you've grieved me hor-
rbly How could you think it? What have
done-what have I done? Oh, wish had
never seen you, since You humilate me so
much!" and, driven wild with shame, and
new, poignant feeling, which she burst not
recognize, Nan buried her face in her hands
and sobbed bitterly.
Adair stood, miseraby beside her
II can't make any excuse he said. 81
know too late, I've been an idiot and bung--
Ter. I shouldn't have cared if I hadn't panied
you. I wish to Heaven 1 had held my
tongue!"
A wretched silence followed then Nan
slowly rose, sobbing bitterly and stumbled
to the door.
Adair followed to open i: for her, his face
as unhappy as mans can be.
For Gods seke, don't cry, Miss Mani" he
begged. Il know you can't forgive mel
can't forgive myself; only, don't cry-please
cont! If you would only speak to me
you can't say anything that will make me
feel worse than do. I'm bitterly ashamed
of being such fool. When feel I've made
you cry like this I wish had died before ever
l saw YOU"
Nan choked down her sobs little.
II Supposed must seem giddy to
you" she said. brokenly; ''or-or youd't never
have thought-oh what am to do? What
am to do?"
And she sobbed again.
"oh! no. Miss Nan, how can you think so?
1t was l who was idiot. I wish-you-you
break my heart when you cry like this"
He turned sharply away.
Passionate words had Started to his Inns
and he found it hard to restrain them as in
honor bound to do.
He was penniiess-a beggar save for what
he might earn.
He had bitterly greved the girl he loved
and the iron shackles of honor forbade him
from striving to comfort her
So Nan stumbled past him and I'D the stairs
TO her room, to sob in a refinement of
anguished pride and love; while Adair went
t. the table and passionately kissed the spot
where she had laid her curly brown head in
her abandonment of despair
Il love her-I love her!" he whispered.
"Oh, Nan, Nan! And I've grieved you-and
must go, and perhaps, never see you again!"
CHAPTER VI
The evening that followed was one Of the
most painful that Nan had ever passed
though no one would have guessed If from