Iron County register., 1899-12-14

MT. Denton, she said, graciously.
But my mind is made up; will have
nothing to do with this scheme-it is
hateful to me-"
well, WELL" rejoined Denton, good
humoredly, ''Tm not going to try and
influence you in any way; after all, it
rests between the two of you. But I
think you ought to give Mr.. Ire
say, stating his view of the case?"
Eva hesitated for a moment, and
then answered.: You are right.
will see him now, if you will send
him to me. The sooner it is over the
better
Left alone, Eva paced the room rest
lessly.
Il will not be bought and sold like
bale of goods" she murmured, pas
sionately. eff he had cared for me it
would have been so different-but
now
She paused by the window and stood
looking out with affected nonchalance
as Ralph Trevelyan entered the room.
He advanced as far as the table and
then stopped. looking at the slight fig
ure standing so haughtily aloof, and
the defiant poise of the shapely head.
This is a very ridiculous and en-
barrassing affair."" Eva said, coldly,
finding that she was expected to speak
first: but she d. not turn her head.
and the remark really might have
been addressed to the birds outside.
Embarrassing? Yes" he assented,
Iamely.
You heard my decision in the library
just now?" Eva continued, still address
ing herself to the window pane. at is
impossible that the condition can be
fulfilled
A spasm of pain crossed his handsome
as he replied:
eyes. it seems rather impossible. but
is it not a pity that Lord Mountathol's
generous intention should be frus-
trated-that practically no one should
benefit by his magnificent bequest?"
Eva turned at last and faced him with
flashing eyes.
What do you mean?" she demanded,
haughtily.
spoke earnestly and impressively.
'Miss Withers, you, like myself. know
what poverty is. You have told me
what your life was before you obtained
the position your late henefactor of
fered you. Are you willing to return
to that life? To sit at desk all day.
and go home at night to a lonely, cheer
less room ?-perhaPs to want work and
not know where your next meal was to
come from? Forgive me if | speak
plainly; you know I speak truth"
''Yes. know: but l say again would
thousand times rather-go
back to that wretched life; I would
rather starve than fulfill the conditions
of this hateful Will"
'sBut you forget" he persisted. you
are not the only person concerned. |
am equally interested in the matter"
''You,"
Most men would have WINGED under
the scorn, the utter contempt conveyed
in the monosylIable; but Ralph Ire
veIyan met her glance steadily. His
face was pale and sad, but ii expressed
no shame.
l.
terms of the will-no, pray hear me out
as a mere business arrangement. If
you will honor me by going through
the marriage ceremony with me |
swear to relieve you of my hateful
presence that same hour. Instead of
earning precarious pound week. you
will be absolute mistress of 5000
wear. Think what that means, Miss
Withers. ere you give your decision.
Think of the good you can do to others
with such means at your disposal. be-
fore you come to hasty decision.'
He had touched the right spot. Dur
ing the last minute or so Eva had been
sweeping up and down the room with
the mien of an outraged queen. endeav-
oring to master her almost uncOntrol-
liable indignation.
She paused again at her former post
at the window, and remained for a
minute in silence.
Every well,'' she said at last, in a
hard. constrained voice. Il accept
your terms. Mr.. TreveIyan. The de-
tails can be arranged at leisure, pre-
sumo? II need not detain you any
longer"
She bent that naughty little head
ever so slightly, and taking this as Il
sign of dismissal he went sadly away;
Eva sank down on the win
dow seat and cried as though her heart
would break.
The business arrangement was con-
cluded in due course at a registrars Of
fee. for both bride and bridegroom
tacitly shrank from the mockery of a
religious ceremony.
Eva maintained her attitude of proud
reserve, and parted from her husband
in name only-without betraying the
slightest emotion. Soon afterward she
went abroad under the chaperonage
IF a widowed gentlewoman. a friend of
her early poverty-stricken days. They
travelled on the continent for some
time; then, as the winter came on,
hey drifted to Madeira, and from
thence Eva decided to take a trip to
the Cape.
And | shall assume my own name"
'he said to her complacent chaperon,
10 whom her word was law. IF | have
to be Mrs. Trevelyan in Europe, shall
be Eva Withers in Africa
Of Ralph Trevelran she had seen
1othing since the morning when they
parted at the registrars office.
On one delicious evening in November
she sat on the veranda of the Grand ho-
el at Port Elizabeth. gazing wistfully
)ut over the sea. She was alone. for
Mrs. Mathieson was enjoying a post
lrandial nap in the drawinr-room
She did not perceive tall figure APP
her in the moonlight, and
started when the newcomer, Col. Len