The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1900-01-02

So immersed was Miss Sinclair with
her reading that she failed to notice
the man until she was quite close.
At the first glance, however, she
recognized him, and the sudden shock
was almost painful, but, recovering
herself in a moment, walked straight
up to Vandeleur and held out her
hand, saying gently:
Il am so glad, Mr.. Yandeleur, to
see that you are better-so very glad.
Although Vandeleur's heart beat
quickly, he was outwardly calm and
cool as he replied nonchalantly:
Thank you. Except for the fact
Of feeling rather weak now and then,
1 am comparatively we'll. trust you
are quite well, Miss Siuclair?"
Yes, I am very well. thank you.
But-but Mr.. Crawford told M you
had by no means recovered yet. IN,
Vendelour mentally anathen/
/ Crawford as he said, with nap
tation of laugh: pr"mis-
'Pshaw! Crawford is 4 ,sk.. .
good fellow; but. you -
sionGIly constructs a E,ount;,. %'
Pointing to th.r'.. -,
ford had vacatsf fs sea, ,, when Craw
00 @Wo ne 'I,,ntinued:
c;-. ~ you please sit down. Mis-.
10 81 1 long to have a chat with
an oil 9id friend ~ y"
ny own desire now was 10 keen
net and an unnatural elevation per.
lied him as he hailed with almost
,Systerical delight the prospect ri
4 showing this woman how utterly in.
different he was TO her.
She hesitated a moment, then quiet.
; ~ sat down.
But surely. Mr.. yandeleur. she
said, your wound cannot be Of So
trivial a nature as you would have
one believe? You were reporte 4
killed al first; all the papers said so
sorry"
We're they?" said vandeleur.
ironically. Sorry to say their feel.
ings must pass unappreciated
Enough Of myself, however. pre.
sumo you are staying down here for
some time?' be added
During their conversation Miss Sin.
leur. anu
With dull pain at her heart she
| noted the unmistabable evidence of
suffering in his look.
/ strong desire to tend and nursa
TINS man, whom she loved as a woman
/ only loves once, overmastered her
I and she experienced a mad impuIsa
20 cast all conventionality aside. and
'hFo" nerelf at his feet and cry: ooh.
my love, my love, I wronged You in
nocently. 1t is all mistakel Won't
You forsive-only forgiven"
The impulse died away. however.
as he glanced at Vandelcur. and saw
the hard line Of his month.
lie will never forgive, she thought
never
Neither spoke for some minutes
and the pause wns BECOMING avyE.
ward when puff Of wind disarranred
NaDoeieur.s rug. He feeblv essaval
TO reach for il. but Miss Sinclair fore.
stalled him, and with q Please allow
me. arranged It,
While doing so her hand s1irhflv
touched tha. Of yaudeleur. carsing
me blood 70 jump madly through his
veins, while the color flooded her own
face
Presently Miss Sinclair said hest.
tahuaiy. Il have been trying for the
last few minutes Toto say something
VIII you listen2 I want 10 ask vour
pardon. Some time ago we-I GUAR.
re,sd with you apparently witaou.
any ostensible causs Whatever. Three
months ago I discovered the fact tina,
1al done you q griev9us wrong.
look you some time. didn't it9'
afca7ticaiIy interiecteJ VandeIeur
i was acquainted with the fact er-
actiy eighteen months ago.
Tho venom Of his remark almost
scorcned the words ON her Fps. but
she quietly proceeded.
Please reserve your sarcasm until
you have heard me. Not even tho
Tear Of your Misunderstanding shall
deter me from performing what CON
slider 20 be right and my duty 70 10
It is right You should know that I had
some slight excuse Is offer for nv an
parent wautOu capriciousuess.
Shs paused a moment. resting her
chm on her hand, and Vandeleur
stole a glance ct her.