The Atlanta constitution., 1900-08-27

rope-in half a dozen places-so let us
have no more philandering and reading
aloud and all that nonsense! North can
read for himself perfectly well. I'm
afraid Madeleine, you are too fond of
admiration and addicted to flirt, which is
rather contemplate in a woman"
1T IS rather more contemplate in a
man." said Madeleine. bristling up at her
brothers tone Il try to make myself
pleasant To your guests. but my con-
science does not accuse me of flirting
with them. though they may like to firt
with me. which is not unnatural. as I am
the first white woman they have seen for
some time"
Erie looked at her with unbounded sur
prise. as an eagle might II "a dove ruffed
her feathers In defiance OF him. so impos-
slble did II seem that she should show
hEht.
Il thought YOU had too much sense TO
make so fippant a speech" said Erie
sternly. 1T does not improve my opinion
OF YOU OF course II would be a salts
faction and n relief 70 see you settled; |
mean married 20 "A solid. honest man. and
such chance might offer. when I hope
YOU would not hesitate to take IT. mean
time I'll have no more nonsense with
North. mind you that"
You may be very sure I shall not again
change all at once. Let me retire slowly
and IN good order from the pleasant
friendship that has grown up between
Mr.. North and myself. Good night,
John"
Before Erie could collect himself to re-
plv she was gone.
Never before had so bitter n cup been
held TO Madelelne's lips. To be accused
OF the yuigarity Of seeking admiration. of
the commonness OF flirting. lowered her
I'm her own esteem. "It is very pleasant
to be admired 10 laugh and chat with
people you like" she thought. but to
exert ones self TO attract either is un-
worthy the conduct OF a true-hearted
girl" and she blushed TO think how deep
ly and warmly she had grown TO love
North. what rapture It would be to give
her 'ife to him. II ne loved her enough
TO care for the gift. Now she felt bound
10 place their pleasant intercourse on an
entirely different footing, and he would
think her Observation-Disclosures cal-while
she could never. never explain matters,
not even II he asked for an explanation.
She could never tell him of her brothers s
accusation and suspicion. Then after all
Il was by no means impossible that Goef-
frev Lisle (as she loved 10 think OF himl
had married some person who was not eX-
sctlv the right one. for he was evidently
a creature Of impulse-or had been. This
reflection eave her the keenest pain, also
II gave her a new power OF resistance,
she must exercise some common sense.
some caution: This new intention of
North's TO revisit England coupled with
his avowed feeling of repentance. might
mean n desire 10 atone for past miscon-
duct to a wronged and deserted wife. But
could Goef'rey Lisle be cruel to any one.
one. too. that ne had promised 10 love
and cherish? All! II was quite beyond the
range of her knowledge. her power of d.
vination to conjecture, she must do the
best she could by the Glimmer of light
vouchsafed her-at any rate she had
passed a heavenly week or two. since she
had succeeded in recalling herself to
North's memory! He liked her very. very
much. Of that she had no doubt. and
nothing could efface the fact that he
trusted her that they had n secret be-
tween them-this would be a sweet sa-
yor TO her soul through all the years to
come.
This conversation with her brother was
a cruel stab. but not a wound to weep