The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1899-12-21

The business arrangement was con-
cluded in due course al registrars Of
zee. for both bride and bridegroom
tacitly shrank from the mockery of
religious ceremony.
Eva maintained her attitude of proud
reserve, and parted from her husband
in name only-without betraying the
slightest emotion. Soon afterward she
went abroad under the chaperonage
of a widowed gentlewoman, a friend of
her early poverty-stricken days. They
travelled on the continent for some
time; then, as the winter came on,
they drifted to Madeira, and from
thence Eva decided to take trip to
the Cape.
"And shall assume my own name"
she said to her complacent chaperon,
to whom her word was law. ''lf | have
to be Mrs. Trevelyan in Europe, I shall
be Eva Withers in Africa"
OF Ralph Trevelyan she had seen
nothing since the morning when they
parted at the registrars office.
On one delicious evening in November
she sat on the veranda of the Grand ho-
te! at Port Elizabeth. gazing wistfully
out over the sea. She was alone. for
Mrs. Mathieson was enjoying post
prandial nap in the drawing-room.
She did not perceive n tall figure ap-
preaching her in the moonlight, and
started when the newcomer, Col. Len
nox, a recent arrival at the hotel, halt
ed beside her chair and spoke to her.
"A delightful night, isn't it, Miss
Withers? | don't know who would
winter in England when they could
come out here to this sort of thing"
Eva murmured something polite and
incoherent for the colonel was griZ-
zled old veteran, and did not interest
her particularly.
There's no accounting for tastes"
continued the colonel, cheerfully. Now
| know a fellow who might have come
out with me, but who prefers to work
himself to death in London. Ralph
Trevelyan always was an obstinate
young dog"
Ralph Trevelyan!" gasped Eva.
eyes, do you know him?'
II know his name" she murmured.
"Ah possibly you have heard the
story about him: most ladies love bit
of romance. No? Well, Ralph Trevel-
gan-may | smoke? Thanks.-as I
was saving. Trevely he's the son of
my best friend, God bless him; he was
shot down by my side at"
Eyes, yes Eva interrupted, urgent
ly; "but what about-ob, you said he
was working himself to death"
Ralph? Wen, yes, something like
ii. You see, after he took his degree
at Oxford he became secretary to an
eccentric old nobleman, who died and
left him pot of money on condition
he married little typewriting girl, and
shared the spoil with her"
"Well?" breathed Eva.
"The girl hated him, though he's
decent lad enough; but ladies-well,
well, we won't go into that--any how,
Ralph persuaded her to go through
form of marriage, promising to take
himself off Immediately afterwards.
So the girl went gayly off with her fine
income, but Ralph refused to touch a
penny of his. He is now living in
wretched rooms in a poky street off
the Strand, As, Strafford street, top
floor, poor beggar, trying to keep body
and soul together by doing hack liter
AIRY work. You see, he acted entirely in
the girls interest throughout, and this
is where the romantic part comes in
he was in love with her all the time,
and is breaking his heart about her.
Good heavens. are you i'll, Miss With
ers?"
mo, no, only IL must go in. It's
it's getting cold"
well, shall l see you in the morn
ing to arrange the picnic to Emerald
Hip"
mo. I'm afraid | shan't be able
to 90. We've start for England to-
morrow. Goodnight Col. LennoX."
And the agitated girl went in, while
the colonel chuckled audibly while he
lighted a fresh cigar.
That's the girl, right enough; felt
sure Of it. Now hope the young fools
will leave off playing at cross purposes,
and take the goods the gods provide"
Fog and frost-ugh! the regular
London Christmas" murmured Ralph
Trevelyan, with a shiver, as he looked
at the window, obscured from without
as with murky yellow curtain, and
then, turning 10 the table, drew a
manuscript wearily towards him.
"Come in he cried, in response to
timid knock well, what is it?"
He turned his head and then started
up with a cry.
Eva. No, II cannot bel"
Yes, yes, indeed" murmured the
girl who came toward him with out
stretched hands. 1T is !. Ralph, dear
Ralph. | have been so unhappy. |
never knew never dreamed until Col.
Lennox told me, and then came 10 find
you. Ralph, is it true? DO you-do
you love me?'
He took the beseeching hands in his
and drew her TO him.
IL have loved you all the time" he
said, hoarsely. And YOU