The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-03-05

to bring Der, when the curtain was partially
pulled aside. and a tall man. with handsome
features, but strange, cynical expression,
appeared, and, without asking her permits
sion, dropped into the vacant chair beside
her.
Her silence possibly showed that she was
displeased at the liberty, for he began almost
at once
You won't dance with me, but at least
you won't object to my sitting here for five
minutes until some luckier fellow finds you.
Her first thought was that he had taken
too much champagne, and that she would not
provoke him TO scene; but she was wrong.
Though by no means an abstemious man,
his brother officers could have told, Major
leighton not likely to exceed at the
house Of q lady; but he was excited and
worried to the verge of madness by debts
and difficulties and the only way of escape
that seemed to offer itself was through mar
rlage with an heiress.
He was not very hopeful, for this girl had
steadily refused him several occasions;
but he had STAYED off one or two of his most
pressing creditors by the announcement that
he was likely to become her husband and he
meant to try for the prize once again before
giving it up in despair. He was good-looking
and well bred, and so many women received
him cordially, and seemed willing to accept
his attentions, that he might be pardoned for
thinking it possible that he could override
Dora's objections in time if he only had the
opportunity.
Il wonder why you are so awfully hard
and cold to me. Miss Bruce he said, pres
emily. Il never can get you to say kind
word to me. Why do you hate me?''
L do not hate YOU" Dora answered; but
IL"
You don't like me- he suggested. well,
I can see that You need not have hesitated
to put it into words Will you tell me what
I have done to merit your dislike?'
Oh why did not Captain Raft come with
that ice? she wondered; if only someone
would rescue her!
famed her with it, Il hardly dare tell you
again what my feelings are with regard to
you,' he said. you know already that you
are the only woman I have ever wished to
PLEASE stop, Major leighton. You have
said all this before, and I have told you it
is useless. 1t is unfair, ungentlemanly, to
make me repeat over and over again that 1
cannot marry you. 1 never mean to marry
anyone"
Women are fond of saying that he said,
forgetting himself little at the sudden rec
objection of debt that must be paid the
following Monday at Tattersalls but 1 shall
not give up hope as long your objection is
only that vague one against matrinlony in
general"
Then had better disabusea your mind at
once" Dora answered angry now at his OBJ
tuseness 1t is true that L mean to remain
single, but if it were not, you are the last
man in the world I would choose. Do you
imagine do not know you only care for my
fortune debts and dissipation?-that you
gambler, and at your wits end for
the WhereWithal to pay Jour creditors, and
that If you were to marry at all, there is
someone-you ought. Oh, I can't speak of
it; but you will understand now, hope, once
and for all, that 1 neither respect you nor do
I believe in your protestations of affection
for me-
Her excessive candor very CALLING and
Major Deighton, realizing that his last shred
of hope had been torn to tatterS, showed
something of the cloven hoof.
That is all very well-you are wonderfully
particular, but l scarcely believe that your
objection to my morals, or want of them
with an ugly sneer-"will make you forswear
marriage altogether. There is turned-down
page in every woman's life, some people say
and with sudden conviction that his
chance shot had found its mark, as he caught
sight of her startled expression. Upon my
soul, it is true I don't know what is written
there in your case, Miss Dora Bruce, but I
shall find out some day, and then, perhaps,
you will wish
tense relief had come into her eyes she
looked beyond him to the landing, and fol-
lowing the direction of her glance, leighton
saw Lord Ingram standing there, holding the
curtain aside.
Only for one minute did he remain there,
then, advancing towards them, he said, in a
matter of-fact tone
Our dance, Miss Bruce" and offered Dora
his arm.
leighton bowed and stood aside until they
had left the alcove, and then, with cynical
smile under his heavy moustache, he waited
for few moments before following them.
80 there is something in the fair Dora's
past which she would prefer remained a Sc
cret,'' he muttered. 1T was a random shot
but it told and now her life will be a burden
TO her for fear should ferret it out. I'll be
bound her indiscretion was very slight one
she is innocent enough'-with a sharp
short sigh for his worldly battered hear