The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-04-23
out an effort, and he blinded himself wilfully
as tC the EXPRESSION on her face.

I left Woodside Did you know I had gone
to London? 1 was obliged to go. How heav-
lily each moment dragged while I was away!"
Nan looked frightened.
Il do not understand vou,' she said mo;
l did not. of course, know that you were in
London. hope you enjoyed yourself
politely, for she did not know what to say
his manner puzzled her so much.
Enjoy myself! Every moment was hor-
rible to me when was away It was only a
week, yet it seems years to me-years and
years of agony"
She did not speak, but she began to walk
quickly anxious to get away as soon as she
could from this singular man.
But you cannot know-I would not have
you know the pain feel. Only, when I saw
| you just now-oh, my love, my love, what
bliss | felt! Nan, Nan, tell me if you love
me-if-'
He seized both her hands and poured forth
passionate flood of words, to which Nan
listened with fast beating heart, and whit
enlng face, nearly wild with terror, for it
seemed to her as if a fiery hail was dashng
upon her ears.
| She had been so absolutely unconscious so
ch1ld1shly free from any thought of passion
addressed to herself, that his words had an
almost stunning effect her. and filed her
with horror, and a shivering adherence of
| the man.
What do you mean?" she cried. "How
dare you frighten me SOP
| And she dragged her hands away and
stamped her foot with anger.
He Gained himself by a great effort for he
had begun to realize how much his emotion
must have frightened her, and was repent
ant.
Don't be angry with me- he pleaded. "I
will not err in this way again. I know I
am rough fellow, but I'll keep myself bet
ter IN hand, dear, tic please you. Oh! Man,
is 1t possible you do not know how dear YOU
are to me? You've grown into my heart dar-
ling; you seem to take my life away from
me; but l give it you gladly, for all is value
less in the world without you. Darling! OAR
| omit 1ya
l went terrfy you again"
oh, hush, hush'' she cried, piteously Il
can't bear to hear it. See there is Doctor
Talbot" quickly, as she saw him riding past
the turn in the road, towards them
| Goodwins face grew black as night, and he
set his teeth f1ercely, to crush the oath that
he could not restrain.
1t was bitter for him to be interrupted when
he had hoped to efface Mans fright by his
tenderness.
He would have annihlated the doctor re-
lnCrselessly if he could but that was impos-
sible and he was forced to go forward and
greet him.
The doctor dsmounted as he saw Mans
flushed face and threw the bride over his
arm
I'm just on my way to Woodside nv
dear he said, as he shook hands You look
tired, and | know you can manage with my
saddle-wil you ride?"r
Nan squeezed his hand gratefully.
THANK you, am tired she said in low
voice, and he lifted her on the mares back
without another word.
A look of angry pain writhed across Good
wins face. and he stood for a moment as if
undecided what to do; then he strobe on be-
side the doctor, as he led the mare until they
| reached Woodsde, returning only monosyIla-
bic answers to the flow of conversation with
which that worthy man beguiled the way.
CHAPTER v.
"Ah here you are at last!" said Mrs Wood
from fba Hnr1or
you're late, dear; have been uneasy about
you. Run away and change your gown
quickly-you must hurry, Nan, for we are
waiting, and she turned to welcome the doc
tor and Goodwin as the girl ran hurriedly
UPSTAIRS.
Nan scarcely knew how to keep from Sob
bing, her nerves had been so terribly upset,
and she longed for d little time of solitude
to compose herself: but, perhaps it was as
we'll for her that she had to occupy herself
at once in making her toilet, for otherwise It
is very probable that reflection would have
produced an historical outburst.
She hastily flung off her gown, and plunged
her face into cold water emerging like
nymph, with water d1 ops believing her curl
inging hair.
AS she stood drying her smooth white arms
and neck before the glass of her old fashioned
wardrobe, she could scarcely believe that a
girl who had gone through so frightful an
experience as she could look so calm and un-
changed; but the quick shuddering she felt
at the remembrance warned her to try and
thrust it from her if she intended to apnear
downstairs again that night, and she made
a great struggle for self control
With motherly forethought Mrs Woodville
had laid her dainty lace skirts and simple
pale blue gown on the bed and Nan rapidlv
arranged her hair in a Greek knot. and
twined blue ribbon into its brown waves
She was quickly dressed, and, gathering up
all her courage, she ran downstairs and into
the parlor before she had time to feel her
ri a 1o1ot Of