The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1899-04-29

hope" said |.
You know my wife's cousin?' he
began.
"She has so many"
awful crowd. But mean the pref
ty one"
Little girl with faXen hair?
Rather-a shade-too conscious of
her profile?"
Yes. Ha, hal Miss Marsh" He
slipped solemnly.
We'll"
1T is a pity. My wife told me. I
should never have suspected it myself.
She's little bit impressed by YOU"
I'm love with me?"
Darn your complacency! l suppose
So"
Poor grill" said l.
"She isn't fool, either"
"Not bit of it," cried.
"That makes it all the more extraor-
binary"
81 don't see that"
"My object in telling you was to
warn you against playing off that in
fernal trick of yours on her. You
know what l mean? That way you
have of talking to woman as if she
were the only one of her sex in the
world"
A reprehensible habit. So danger
ous!" said |. 81 will be careful"
YES, do be careful, old man.
We were silent awhile. / got up, muir
muring again: Poor grill" babe fare
we'll to Cheedle and went home. had
not intended to be at the Massie's party
on the following evening, but, know
ing that Miss Marsh would be there
and feeling anxious to begin the cruel
business of disillusionment at once
that it might be the sooner over-I
dressed and went.
The drawing-room was very crowded.
] looked about for Miss Marsh, and
presently espied her III far corner. By
slow stages made my way toward her.
She marked my approach with visit
full face, and when | was close enough
made room for me beside her. Poor
thing! We shook hands. and noted a
tender light in her eyes. My heart
Rched with pity.
How hot it is in here!" said She
Oh these hollow commonplaces ut
tered calmly in gale Of passion.
YES" said l. Il wonder if we could
get out into the conservatory
We managed it by dint of many pc.
lite hustlings, strewing our path with
apologies AS we went. Our end at
tanned, we sat down side by side under
a tub-palm and looked at one another
How pleasant it is out here!" she
murmured.
80 COOL" said I.
Conversation was certainly difficult
"The usual rumor concerning you is
out" said she.
Indeed" l cried. 1T was no time tt
be witty
"They have married you again, Mr.
Wroughtnight."
"Who is the unlucky lady this time p
at would not be fair to tell. And
two are mentioned
Poor girl!
you know that Rumor is lying
Jade, Miss Marsh?"
"By nature-yes. But sometimes
by accident-she speaks the truth
How valiantly women cover up theil
scars!
"Of course" said /, "there is no foun
dation for the rumor."
II had hoped there was" said she
softly.
Brave heart! 1t was dire business
There may be, some day." l muir
INJURED. II mean that l expect shal
marry sooner or later"
'Oh, l hope so,' said she. "Wher
you are a little older. Some strong
helpful woman with ideals. Not a poo
little society butterfy-like me-"
IF she were like you," said /, an,
stopped.
"She won't be-" said Miss Marsh
quickly.
My heart was torn of pity of her.
Zone so seldom marries the persol
one wants to-" said l, breaking til
truth to her gently.
"And how much better for us that is
isn't ito"
The rejoinder hardly pleased me.
slow do you mean, Miss Marsh?"
81 mean that the object of our frs
love is so rarely the person to make u
really happy"
remembered that this was her thir
season.
First love is the only love" said l.
''Oh, no." said she.
''Oh, yes" / repeated, firmly. 1t wa
no time for mawkish faltering. NJ
duty was plain.
"Mr. Wroughtnight," said she, "bt
lieve what am about TO say. You 81