Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1899-10-19

woman how utterly indifferent he wa
TO her.
She hesitated a moment, then quietly
sat down.
"But surely, Mr.. Vandeleur," she said
"your wound cannot be Of so trivial I
nature as you would have one believe
You were reported killed at first; al
the papers said so, and Everyone was
so dreadfully sorry"
Were they?" said Vandeleur, ironic'
ally. Sorry TO say their feelings mus'
pass unappreciated. Enough of myself,
however. / presume you are staying
down here for some timer he added,
as he threw his cigarette away.
"Please dont!" cried Miss Sinclair.
"You know / have no objection; my
tastes have not changed even in IS
months"
Excuse me-" said Vandeleur, coldly,
81 thought they had. However, il is Of
no consequence, as ! smoke very little
now; tobacco doesn't commend itself 10
inyalids, you know"
During the conversation Miss Sin
clair had been surreptitiously observing
yandeleur.
With a dull pain at her heart she
noted the unmistakable evidence of suf-
fering in his look,
A strong desire TO tend and nurse this
man, whom she loved as a woman only
loves once, overmastsred her, and she
experienced a mad impulse TO east all
conyentionality aside, and throw her
self at his feet and cry: "Oh, my love,
my love, wronged you innocently! II
is all hideous mistake! Won't you for
give-only forgiye?"
The impulse died away, however, as
she glanced at Vandeleur, and saw the
hard line Of his mouth.
lie will never forgive, she thought
never.
Neither spoke for some minutes, and
the pause was becoming awkward,
when a puff of wind disarranged Van
deleur's rug. He feebly essayed to
reach for il; but Miss Sinclair fore
stalled him, and with please allow
me" arranged it.
While doing so her hand slightly
touched that of Nandeleur, causing the
blood to jump madly through his veins,
while the color flooded her own face.
Presently Miss Sinclair said, hesitat-
ingly: II have been trying for the |
last few minutes toto say something. |
viii you listen? | want TO ask your
pardon. Some time ago vel quar-
relied with you, apparently without any /
cause whatever. Three /
months ago ! discovered the fact that
had done you grievous wrong"
Took you some time, didn't it?" sar-
interjected Vandeleur. Il
vas acquainted with the fact exactly
IS months ago"
The venom OF his remark almost
corched the words on her lips, but she
quietly proceeded:
Please reserve your sarcasm until
'ou have heard me. Not even the fear
II your misunderstanding shall deter
ne from performing what consider
o be right and my duty to do. II is
light you should know that had some
light excuse for my apparent wanton
apriciousness.
She paused a moment, resting her
hin on her hand, and Vandeleur stole
glance at her.
She had changed somewhat, he
hought-grown gentler and more sub
ued; and the passionate desire grew
n him TO open his arms and say:
u forgive all, forgive all! Only
owe mel"
please go on" he said.
Thank YOU" she replied, quietly, 81
viii. The Story of a Man and a Wom-
n is an old title, and has been used
many times, yet purpose using it once
gain as a heading for my narrative"
"The man in tits particular case APP
cared to love the woman very dearly,
nd she-well, she requited his affec-
ion."
Vandeleur started and shifted his po-
ition slightly.
He was a writer of books" she con-
inued, "and on her twenty-third birth
ay he presented her with the first
roof of the book that had made his
Iame, 1t was unique present, and
he appreciated II accordingly, until
n turning over the leaves she found
'etween the pages a letter.
1T was love letter, written in the
mans handwriting on large sheet Of
'aper, and signed with his Christian
anne, but not meant for her; the name
4 the woman for whom II was de-
igned was Gladys"
"Heavens!" cried Vandeleur. hoarse-
y, The Hand on the Wheer-it was
he page Of manuscript that could
ever findl"
"Yes," she said, quietly, ut was
age Of manuscript that YOU had lost.
he, however, did not discover this un-
il later; but in her misery at what
he imagined TO be the mans falseness,
lever answered his demands for an ex-
'lanation-never spoke TO him again"
She paused for a moment, overcome
With emotion.
some time later" she proceeded.
With difficulty, "a book was published
~ a man, entitled: The Hand on the
Wheel His haroi,,. ,,-,,. z-.f1..a T,t-a