The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1899-03-11
CHAPTER XXI,

Lady baltimore, 100, naQ Deen very
pleased by the news when Felix told her
the next morning of his good luck. In all
her own great unhappiness she had still a
kindly word and thought for her cousin
and his fancee.
zone of the incest girls" she says
pressing his hands warmly. Il often
think. indeed, the incest girl | know. You
are fortunate, Felix, but" very kindly,
"she Is fortunate. too
"Oh. no, the luck is all on my side,
says he.
1T will be a blow to Norman" she
says, presently.
Il think not" with an irrepressible
touch of scorn.
"Of course. can quite understand that
you do not like him." says she, with a
quick sigh. But believe me, any heart
he has was really given to Joyce. Well,
he must devote himself to ambition now
Miss Maliphant can help him to that.
"No, no. That is all knocked on the
head. 1t appears-this is in strict conf
dence. FeIix-but it appears he asked her
to marry him last evening. and she re-
fused
Felix turns to her as if to give utter
ancc to some vehement words, and then
checks himself After all. why add to her
unhappiness? Why tell her of that cur
baseness? Her own brother, too! 1t
would be but another grief.
To think he should have gone from her
to Miss Maliphant! What a pitiful crea-
ture, Beneath contempt. We'll, If his
pride survives those two downfalls-both
in one day-it must be made of leather. 1t
does Felix good to think of how Miss Nal
iphant must have worded her refusal. She
is not famous for grace Of speech. He
must have had a really bad time of it.
"Ah, she refused!' says he, hardly
knowing what to say.
Yes, and not very graCiously, I'm
afraid. He gave me the mere fact of the
refusal-no more, and only that because
he had 10 give a reason for his abrupt de-
parture. You know he is going this even
ing:"
NO. l did not know L. OF course, un-
der the circumstances-
Yes, he could hardly stay here. Mar
garet came to me and said she would go,
but l would not allow that. After all,
every woman has right to refuse or &C
cept as she will"
True" His heart gives an exultant
willed.
Il only wish she had not hurt him in
the refusal. He was not in his usual care
less spirits. He struck me as being n lit
tle-well, you know, a little"-she hest
fateS.
"Out Of temper?" suggests Felix.
Well, yes. Disappointment takes that
course with some people. After all, it
might have been worse if he had set his
heart on Joyce and been refused"
Much worse" says Felix, his eyes on
the ground.
''She would have been severe loss"
Severe, indeed" BY this time Felix is
beginning to feel like an advanced hypo-
critic
''As for Margaret Maliphant, | am
afraid he was more concerned about the
loss of her bonds and scrips than of her
self. 1t is a terrible world, Felix. when
all is told" says she, suddenly, crossing
her beautiful, long, white hands over her
knees, and leaning toward him. There is
a touch of misery so sharp in her voice
that he starts as he looks at her. 1t is
a mOmentary fit of emotion. however. and
passes before he dare comment on it. With
n heart nigh to breaking she still retains
her compOsure, and talks calmly to Felix
and let's him talk TO her. as though the
fact that she is soon to lose forever the
man who once had gained her heart that
fatal 'OnCe' that means for always, in
spite of everything that has come and
gOne-is as little or nothing TO her See
Ing her sitting there, strangely pale in
deed but so collected, it would be impos-
slbe to guess at the tempest of passion
and grief and terror that reigns within her
breast. Women are not so strong to bear
as men, and therefore in the worlds storm
suffer most
1T is n lovely world" says he, smiling,
thinking of Joyce; and then, remember
Ing her sad lot. his smile fades. "One
might make-perhaps- bad worId-bet-
ter"
"Ah. teach me how" says she, with
melancholy glance.
There is such thing as forgiveness
Forgive him." blurts he ont in a frighten-
ed sort Of way. lie is Mortified at him
self-at his own temerity-a second later.
and rises 10 his feet as if to meet the in
dignation he has certainly courted. But
to his surprise no such indignation betravs
itself
rs that your advice" says she. still
with the thin white hands clasped over
the knees and the earnest gaze on him.
We'll, well. we'll"
Her eyes droop. She seems to be think
ing, and he, gazing at her, refrains from
speech with his heart sad with pity. Pres
emily she lifts her head and looks at him.
There, Go back to your love" she
says, with a glance that thrills him. Tell
her from me that if you had the whole
world to choose from. should still select
her as your wife. like her: | love her.
There, Co.' She seems to grow all at
once very tired. Are those tears that are
rising in her eyes? She holds ont to him
her hand. Felix, taking it, holds it close
Il for moment, and presently. as if NOV
cd 10 do il, he stoops and presses a warm
kiss upon il.
She is so unhappy. and so kind. and so
true. Heaven deliver her out of her sor-
row.