The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1900-02-19

adults and her mature size incline us to
forget how young she is"
She is either quite mature in her feel
ings or has inherited some OF her obscure
progenitors' coQuettish instincts"
"Oh. Willie, how harsh"
There was such u volume or reproach
In her eyes that Mr.. Desbrow put him
self on the defensive, somewhat combat
lively.
81 repeat. She is either vastly mature
In her feelings or a coquette by nature.
We have no reason to believe that Field
ing has ever spoken direct over-like
word TO her. but she assumes toward him
the attitude of young lady bent on
rejection"
Direct: no. perhaps not"
He Is not given to indtrection under
any provocation," Ffelding's champion re-
torted with unnecessary heat
She bestowed one of her sweetest smiles
| on him. You precious old volcano-no.
But any woman can tell the precise mo
ment when a man passes from the grub s
condition of passive admiration into the
winged state of ardent love and DESIRE"
''Oh. she CAM"
"Of course she can. l knew months be-
fore the fatal words werS Spoken that
you were going to ask me to marry you
The ver-husband smiled fatuouS.y
Doubtless L was too idiotically in love
to mask it successfully. l had a more
difficult task than Fieldng's."
Il acknowledge the tribute. but reject
the premises. Diana has a subtle fascina-
Con of face and manner which even l.
afteA' sixteen years OF daily companion
ship, am not proof against"
But you have never grown fond of the
child" she said, mournfully.
mo. | am afraid have not. There Is
too much that is dark, hidden, obscure.
behind her. i am so sorry this is so. on
your account. my love. not on hers. L do
not believe she has ever given the matter
a thought
Il am not at ell sure about that She
does a good deal more thinking than you
credit her with. and is by no means lack
ing in penetration
II wish she would exert the latter then
in Ffeldfng's direction, and discover for
herself that the future is not at all likely
TO offer her anything more valuable than
his Affection
us It sure that the future viii offer
her that? Poor. nameless girl! l am
trying 10 center her admiration on him,
knowing fun well that he Will never
openly avow his love for her until her
Legitimacy IS established beyond ques-
ton"
"Nor shall She" said Desbrow vehe-
monty. eff I have any influence with
him He IS asking little and giving much.
A man of worth. dignity ana good family
"a splendid all-around fellow-and She
The product of my best efforts" said
his wife. lifting her head a trifie def
ant,y.
"She does you credit my love-" and
then he continued: ut Is one thing for
me to give this poor girl shelter and an
1,
purse. But Fielding Is my friend.
was his fathers friend. when we chum-
med together at old Yale. and he shall
not fall into this quagmire II l can help
II. lie says that he asks nothing but
to know she was born in wedlock. BY
jove. It is a degree of magnanimity l
never have achieved, II she really was
the goddess we named her for"
Hes coming here TO dinner Saturday.
and I've told Diana she could have the
billiard room for the Lenten class. You
and Fielding Will have so much to talk
about you won't want the table that
night"
And when the Saturday evening came
Diana was so intensely happy over the
non-post poncment OF her own scheme
that she was her most charming self all
during the dinnertime.
She thanked Ledyard for tho white
heather with n sweetness and grace that
made even Mr.. Desbrow-always cruelty
critical toward her-wonder where the
girl had caught her tricks OF manner,
and she was the life of the quartet until
coffee had been reached and the rapidly
succeeding summons on the front door
bell announced the coming OF the class.
Then che made her adieus. making
them prettily. with inquiries for her
dear Miss Fielding and left the room
with swift grace that plunged Field
ing deeper than ever into what his sister
called his 'silly intatuation." There was
n dash OF discomfort IN his voice as he
asked. when the door had closed her out:
What = this Ienten class that robs us
OF Miss Towers so early IN the even
ing?"