Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-01-18

Lett alone, Eva paced the room
restlessly.
"I will not be bought and sold like
bale of goods" she murmured pas
sionately. ''If he had cared for me
it would have been so different-but
now
She paused by the window and stood
looking out with affected nonchalance
as Ralph Trevelyan entered the room.
He advanced as far as the table and
then stopped, looking at the slight
figure standing so haughtily aloof, and
the defiant poise of the shapely head.
"This is a very ridiculous and en-
barrassing affair."" Eva said coldly,
finding that she was expected to speak
first; but she did not turn her head,
and the remark really might have
been addressed to the birds outside
Embarrassing? Yes," he assented
lamely.
"You heard my decision in the Ii
brary just now?" Eva continued, still
addressing herself to the windowpane.
cit is impossible that the condition
can be fulfilled"
A spasm as of pain crossed his hand
some face, but his voice was calm and
steady as he replied
''Yes, it seems rather impossible,
but is it not pity that Lord Mount
athops generous intention should be
frustrated-that practically no one
should benefit by this magnificent be-
quest?"
Eva turned at last and faced him
with flashing eyes.
''What do you mean?" she de-
manded haughtily.
He drew step nearer to her and
spoke earnestly and impressively.
"Miss Withers, you, like myself,
know what poverty is. You have told
me what your life was before you OBJ
tanned the position our late benefactor
offered you. Are you willing to re-
turn to that life? To sit at desk all
day and go home at night to a lonely,
cheerless room?-perhaps to want
work and not know where your next
meal was to come from? Forgive me
If 1 speak plainly; You know speak
TRUTH"
''Yes, / know, but I say again 1
would rather-a thousand times rather
go back to that wretched life. 1
would rather starve than fulfil the
conditions of this hateful will"
''But you forget" he persisted.
''You are not the only person con-
cerned. I am equally interested in
the matter"
"You!"
Most men would have WINGED under
the scorn, the utter contempt con
veyed in the monosyllable, bat Ralph
Tievelyan met her glance steadily.
His face was pale and sad, but it ex-
pressed no shame.
81 propose that we should fulfill
the terms of the will-no, pray hear
me out-as mere business arrange
ment. If you will honor me by going
through the marriage ceremony with
me swear to relieve you of my hate
full presence that hour. Instead of
earning a precarious pound week
you will be absolute mistress of five
thousand year. Think what that
means, Miss Withers, ere You give
your decision. Think of the good
yon can do TO others with such means
at your disposal before you come to
hasty decision.
He had touched the right spot.
During the last minute or so Eva
had been sweeping up and down the
room with the mien of an outraged
queen, endeavoring to master her al
most uncomfortable indignation.
She paused again at her former post
at the window and remained for
minute in silence.
Every WELL, she said at last in
hard, constained vol e. 81 accept
your terms, Mr.. Trev, lyan. The de-
tails can be arranged at leisure, I pre-
sume? II need not detain you any
longer"
She bent that naughty little head
ever so slightly, and taking this as
sign of dismissal, he went sadly away.
whereupon Eva sank down on the
window seat and cried as though her
heart would break.
The business arrangement was con-
cluded in due course at registrars
office, 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 be-
trayiny the slightest emotion. Soon
aiterward she went abroad under the
chaperonage of a widowed gentle
woman, friend of her early poverty
stricken days. They travelled on the
continent for some time; then, as til
winter came on, they drifted to Ma
deira, d from thence Eva decided
to take trip to the Cape.
'And 1 shall assume M own name,"
she said to her complacent COM anion,
to whom her word was law. 'If |
have to bo MIS-. Ire elya in Europe
1 shall be Eva Withers in Africa
OF Ralph Trevelyan she had seen
nothing since the morning when they
parted at the registrar office.
On one delicious evening in No
vop, hat. che cot IN the xaron6a of tlo