, 1899-03-03

not know!
Because when a mans last chance OF
happiness lies in the balance he will throw
his very soul into the weighing of it-and,
knowing this, you may nave pity on me-"
As though pressed down by some insup-
portable weight, the girl rises and makes
a little curious gesture as If to free her.
self from it. Her face, still pale, betrays
an inward struggle. After all, why can
not she give herself to him? Why can't
she love him? He loves her; love, as some
poor old fool says, begets love.
And he is honest. Yes, honest! A pang
shoots through her breast. That, when all
is told, is the principal thing. He is not
uncertain-untrustworthy double-faced
as some men are. Again that cruel pain
contracts her heart. To be able to believe
in a person, to be able to trust implicitly
in each lightest word, to read the real
meaning in every sentence, to see the
truth shining in the clear eyes, this is to
know peace and happiness; and yet
You know all" says she, looking VI at
him, her eyes compressed, her brow frown'
ing; II am uncertain of myself, nothing
seems sure to me, but if you wish it"
wish it!' clasping her hands closer.
There is this to be said, then. l will
promise to answer you this day twelve
month";"
Twelve MONTHS says he, with conster-
nation; his grasp on her hands loosens.
IF the prospect frightens or displeases
you, there is nothing more to be said" re-
joins she, coldly. 1t is she who is calm
and composed, he who Is nervous and anx-
ious.
But a whole year,
THAT or nothing" says she, releasing
her hands, with a little determined show
of strength, from his. at is for you to de.
eide. l don't care!"
Perhaps she hardly grasps the cruelty
that lies in this half-impatient speech, UNI
til she sees Dysart's face flush painfully.
you need not have said that" says he,
II knew it. | I'M nothing to you really"
He pauses, and then says again in a low
tone, Nothing"
"Oh, you mustn't feel so much!' cries
she, as if tortured. at is folly to feel at
all in this world. What's the good of it'll
And to feel about me, l am not worth it.
If you would only bear that in mind, it
might help you"
IF l bore that in mind l should not
want W illuhG JOu lily WIFI EtluTHS lie,
steadily, gravely. '"Think as you will of
yourself, you do not shake my faith in
s : wei. ! Giii1 d. aGaljl -
bound to you, while you shall hold your
self free, and try too"
mo, no. We must both be equal-both
free while L" she stops short, c%oloring
warmly, and laughing. "What is it l am
to try to doY"
ITO love me!' replies he, with infinite
sadness in look and tone
YES" says Joyce, slowly, and then
again meditatiyely, Eyes" She lifts her
eyes presently and regards him strangely.
And if all my trying should not succeed =?
If | never learn to love you"
"Why, then it is all over. This hope of
mine is at an end" says he, so calmly,
yet with such deep melancholy, such sad
f~oreboding, that her heart is touched.
"Oh, it is a hope of mine, too" says she,
quickly. IF it were not, would l listen
to you to-day? But you must not be SO
d~ownhearted; let the worst come to the
worst, you will be as well off as you are
this instant"
He shakes his head.
"Does hope count for nothing, then?'
"You would compel me to love you"
says she, growing the more yexed as she
grows the more sorry for him. Would
you have me marry you even if | did not
love your" Her soft eyes have filled with
tears, there is a suspicion of reproach In
her voice.
mo, l suppose not"
He half turns away from her. At this
moment a sense of despair falls on him.
Joyce" he then says, quickly, turning
to her and grasping her lands, give me
my chance. Give me those twelve months;
give me your thoughts now and then while
they last. l brought you here to-day to
say all this, knowing we should be alone.
But you, ~Joyce-twelve months is a long
time. You may see others-if not Beau
clerk-others-and@'
Money would not tempt me-" says the
girl, slowly. "If money were your rival,
you would indeed be safe. You ought to
know that"
MAY l think of you as Joyce? l have
called you so once or twice, but"
"You may always call me So" says she,
gently. if indifferently. "All my friends
call me so, and you-are my friend, sure
lyr'
The very sweetness of her manner, cold
as ice as it is, drives him to desperation.
mot your friend-your lover!" says he
with sudden passion. Joyce, think of all
that l have said-all you have promised. A
small matter to you, perhaps-the whole
world to me. You will wait for me for
twelve months. You will try to love me.
You"
"Yes, but there is something more to be
said.' cries the girl, springing to her feet
as if in violent protest, and confronting
MIN with a curious look-set-determined
"a little frightened, perhaps.
"More?" says Dysart, startled by her
expression, and puzzled as well.
"Yes!' hurriedly. "This!" The very
nervousness that is consuming her throws
fire into her eyes and speech. During all
these long twelve months l shall be free.
Quite free. You forget to put that in
You must remember that! If-if l should,