Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1900-10-09

At
Ieopardess on her, wit6m9rble-whitt
face and glowing eyes
HMrs. Granthamy | allow no one tC
speak to me in such way. you OBJ
ject to your nepbew's acquaintance
with me, lay your commands on him.
not on me-"
And, somehow, the old lady thought
she would not say anything further
to Nell on the subject, but take her
advice and speak to Mr.. Harcourt.
! This she was not slow to do, and, after
an hours heated discussion between
the old lady and her nephew, Nell
Happened to.pass the'dooH on,her way
to her duties, just as his low, clear,
Iresonant voice enunciated sentence
that paralyzed her for second, and
then sent her flying in'shame and an
guish to the privacy other own room;
Just a single sentence--this:
"Do not let us discuss it further,
auntie, for I have pledged you my
word that nothing could induce me
to marry Miss Wilton, although dare
say she is all very well in her place"
Oh, it was so cruel--so awfully,
awfully cruel! And poor Nells heart
was crushed and buried past all at
tempt at rallying.
And so, rather than ever see him
again, or hear again the voice she had
loved so wellyan that had spoken such
wicked thing, Nell decided to get
away from the place-from the man
whom nothing could induce to marry
Miss Wilton"
And she packed her little belong
ing5, and dressed herself in her trav-
cling suit, and took her handbag and
started-to meet Duke Harcourt, face
to face, short distance from the man
sion--to meet him, and see the sur
prised and glad smile of welcome on
his face that always greeted her, and
that, until now, had thrilled her with
such delight, and that now she knew
was so cruelty treacherous.
(Which way, Nell? Why, child,
what is the matter with you?"
For she had looked up with her in
dignant, wistful, resolute eyes, and
shown him the cold, still anguish on
Her face.
Nothing whatever is the matter,
that you can remedy, Mr.. Harcourt.
Please allow me to pass-.I wish to
catch the train"
He looked puzzled.
"The train, Nell?" And his voice
took that imperiousness Of tone that
made the girl feel in every fiber of her
being how completely masterful he
was. "Nell, there is some mystery
here which l do not understand. You
were going away from here, and wish
you to tell me why"
She looked resolutely at his shining
blue eyes.
81 will not tell you"
"Then, by Heaven, you shall not
go! The woman / love shall not leave
me thus lightly. Nell, Twas in search
of you, to tell you how | love you, and
l find you as l never found you be-
fore"
Then her face glowed with glori-
ously indignant light, and she crested
her head haughtily, and flung back
her defiant words:
''Your love-your love! | do not
want it! l will not listen to such
cowardly insult! Go back to your
aunt, and tell her that she was right.
Rich young men have no business
making love to obscure young girls
especially when nothing could induce
them 10 marry them"
She was fairly scintjllant with hon
est fury, and he listened in petrifed
amazement.
Don't pretend you do not know
what l meanp she went on, hotly.
81 heard what you said to Mrs. Gran
than, and"
Then a smile broke over his hand
some face, and he reached out his arm
and caught her before she knew what
he meant.
"My darling, SO you were jealous?
Oh, | am so glad! Listen one minute,
Nell. Aunt Grantham has insisted
on my marrying your beautiful sister
Oracle, and ! will not, because l am
in love with and determined to marry
you. There, there! darling, don't