The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1899-01-28
CHAPTER N-(Continued.)
@

90 ne II, says ne Will al dSSuIiptioi
IF relief that is very we'll done. After
al, l have worried myself, | dare say
very unneccssa rily. Let us talk of some
hing else. Miss Maliphant, for example,
with a little glance at her, and a pleasant
smile. Nice girl, eh: l miss her
'She went early this morning, did she!'
says Joyce, scarcely knowing what to say
Her lips feel little dry; an agonized Ger
ainty that she is slowly growing crimson
beneath his steady gaze brings the tears
% her eyes.
Too early. l quite hoped to be up tc
see her off, but sleep had made its own OF
NE and l failed to wake. Such n good
genuine girl! Universal favorite, dom
you think? Very honest, and very
breaking into an apparently irrepressibit
augh. ugly. All, well. now with smil
ing self elf-condemnation, that's really a lit
lie too bad, isn't it?'
"A great deal too bad says Joyce
gravely. Il shouldn't speak of her so If
were you-'
But why, my dear girl?' with archet
brows. and little gesture of his hand
some hands. Il allow her everything hu1
beauty, and surely it would be hypocris,
10 mention that in the same breath witt
her"
1T isn't fair-it isn't sincere" says the
girl. almost passionately. DO you thinl
am ignorant Of everything, that | die
not see you with her last night in the gar
len? OH with o touch of scorn that i:
yet full of pain, you should not. 4or
should not. indeedr'
In an instant he grows confused. Some
thing in the lovely horror Of her eyes un
does him. Only for an instant-after thai
he turns the momentary confusion to goot
account.
"Ah, you did see her, then. poor girl"
says he. We'll, I'm sorry about that fol
her sake
why for her sake|' still regarding hin
with that charming disdain. For YOU
own, perhaps. but why for hers:'
Beauclerk pauses; then rising suddenly
stands before her. Grief and gentle in
iignation sit upon his massive brow. HI
ooks the very incarnation of injured recti
tude.
DO you know, Joyce, you have alway:
been ready to condemn, to misiudge me,
says he, in low, hurt tone. Il have Of
ten noticed it. yet have failed to under
stand why it is. | was right. you see. wheI
told myself last night and this morning
that you were harboring unkindi!
thoughts toward me. You have not beer
open with me- you have been wilfully Sc
rretiye and believe me, that is n mistake
Candor, complete and perfect, is the onl.
great virtue that will steer one clea
through all the shoals and rocks of life
Be honest, above board, and, | can assure
YOU. you will never regret it. You accused
me just now of insincerity. Have yol
been sincere:'
There is q dead pause. He allows it t.
last long enough to ma ke it dramatic ant
10 convince himself he has impressed her
and then, with a very peEceptible increas'
Of dignifed pain in his voice. he goes on:
Il feel | ought not to explain under th'
circumstances but as it is to you'-heav,
emphasis. and a second affected silence
You have heard, perhaps, of Miss Mali
plants cousin in India 7"
No says Joyce, after racking he
brain in vain for some memory of tn
cousin in question. And, indeed it woul,
have been nothing short of q miracle i
she could have remembered anythin;
about that apochryphal person.
You will understand that ! speak t
You in the strictest confidence" say
Reauclerk. earnestly: Il wouldn't for any
thing YOU could offer me. that it shoul,
get back to that poor girls ears that
had been discussing her. and the mos
sacred feelings of her heart Well, ther
is a cousin. and she-yOu may have no
ticed that she and | We're great friends: ::
Yes" says Joyce. whose heart is beat
ing now to suffocation. Oh, has sh
wronged him? Is this vile. suspicion
feeling within her one to be encouraged
Is all this story of his, this simple ex
planation-false-fa
Il was, indeed. a sort Of contidant o
hers. Poor dear girl. it was a relief t
her to talk to somebody"
There We're others
But none here who knew him"
You knew him then: Is his nam
Maliphant. too:' asks Joyce. ashamed o
her cross-examinatiOn. Yet driven to it b.
some power beyond her control.
You mustn't ask me that" says Beau
clerk. playfully. There are some thing
| must keep even from you. Though yo,
see | go very far To satisfy your unjus
suspicious of me. You can, however CUES
a good deal: you-saw her cryingE'
she was not crying" says Joyce
slowly, little puzzled. Miss Maliphan
had seemed at the moment in question
we'll pleased.
No, Not when you saw her? All, tha
must have been later then with a sigh
you see now | am hetrayinG more thar
l should. However. | can depend upol
IL T. - y,
tween you and me
And Miss Maliphant." says Joyce. cold
ly. AS for me, what is the secret"
You haven't understood: Not really
Well. between you and me and the wall
with delightful gayety. Il think she give
a thought or two to that cousin. ] fancy.
whispering, she is even in-ch? yo
know"
Il don't" says Joyce, slowly. who i
now longing to believe in him. and yet i
held steadily backward by some stron
feeling
Il believe she is in love with him." say
Beauclerk, still in a mysterious whisper.
Il shall say nothing. of course. say
Joyce Why should l? 1t is nothing t
ne. though | am sorry for her
Yet as she says this a doubt arises in he
mind Is to whether she need be sorry. /
there a cousin in India: Could that bic
| Jolly. lively girl. who had come into III
conservatory with Beauclerk last night
with the light Of triumph in her eyes. b
the victim of an unhappy love affair
Should she write and ask her if there is
cousin in India? Oh, no, no, She coul
not do that, How horrible. how hatefu
to dstrust him like this, What detestl
BILE mind must be hers, And. besides, VII
dwell 50 much upon it: Why not accep
him as pleasing acquaintance: On
with whom 70 psss 4 pIeasacr hour nov