The times., 1899-12-10

strict orders that to other visitors she was
not at home"
so I hear you are going back 20 Quill
imane2' she began.
John answered in the affirmative. but
that his visit would last but "a shor. ime
He would soon be back again.
Have you seen the Armstrong; lately?'
she asked, presently.
Il was there yesterday Between our
selves, Mrs. Playfair, ] hope. when in AZ
rica, TO trace Henry Armstrong. l have
had letters from Quilimane. and / believe l
am on the right track.
4 heard you were taking a lot Of trouble
in the matter. but if YOU ask my advice, l
should say don't lock for him.
But Miss Armstrong and her mother are
very anxious to have him found.
Then you do it to please herr"
q suppose so. said John cIumsily. do
YOU remember" he went on telling me
about Heseltine, the man in love With her?
He is coming back from India on leave.
1t doesn't seem to disturb you.
why should it?" ne asked in surprise
Mrs. Piayfair lost her temper.
DO you know your attentions 20 Dor
othy have got her very much talked Of
even compromised? You are always call
ing there, and treat her in the presence
Of others as though you were her fiaace.'
JUN W do ptdlitig liOl tlltt- tiAL
know he stammered.
Are you going to marry herr"
AZ Good heavens! What an idea
Mrs Playfair was now very angry, in
| deed.
what an idea! Please remember Miss
Armstrong is my friend. If you have
meant nothing by your attentions-if yol
don't think her good enough"
Mrs. PIayfair,' cried John. you mis-
I understand me; I'm not worthy TO marry
her, but my only wish is her happiness
shat she may marry the man she loves.
and I was hoping Hesc!tine was the man.'
He was plainly speaking the truth.
You are incomprehensible. You cont
| love her, you say?"
II" John faltered horribly Scales
| had seemingly fallen from his eyes. Il
can't marry her, I can't marry her. Don't
/ ask me why"
But Mrs. Playfair was too curious to
/ obey.
Are you married." she queried, sharp
! Iy.
NO no, it isn't that, it's something
| else; oh, if it were anyone else, Jonn
muttered incoherently, pacing up and down
the room.
Mr. Davis" the lady went on pidloss-
/ ly, Il believe she loves you"
Heaven forbid, cried John.
He got away somehow still guarding
( his secret, and. going home, wrezticd with
! this new trouble. He had deceived himself
/ from the first day Of their meeting. Tic
fascination she exercised over him had,
| he deemed nothing to DO with love. AMI
he was d morose man. not making fCialdi
with those he came into contact vita;
barely civil to the men. No one had ven
tured on even a mild jest at his seeming
| infatuatOu.
How blind I have been," he cried.
He went over her treatment of him. In
! the new light OF his knowledge it was pos
sible he had won her love; that he loved
her deeply, sincerely, was now plain to
him Nothing stood between them but the
shadow Of Henry Armstrong, shot by his
hand thousands of miles away.
But. What a but! How could he ask
her to marry him. how bind her with a
wedding ring while she vowed to love,
honor, and obey her brothers. murderer
It was horrible to think Of and yet, If he
told the truth, he wrecked two lives for
ever.
What was he to do? Either way he saw
trouble Suppose they married, the shad-
ow unseen by her would fall athwart theiI
path her very innocence of it adding te
his bitterness. No. that was not 10 bs
thought Of Suppose she found out tht
uulh' anu heI loNS tHlnIu ~
vivid was the picture, he felt he could neal
her passionate repTOaChes.
Tell her all. and let her decide if hel
love was strong enough TO pardon? Yes
that was the better way It would be al
ordeal indeed, but ne must do it. On tht
morrow he would speak. tell the tale so
berly and truthfully of how her brothel
died By his hand; how he had learned IN
Willingly to love her and abide by her yer
, dict.