The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-08-17

ing in most earnest zones, IN the apart
inent beyond.
But. Perdita, my darling, you have
admitted that you love me! Then why
do you hesitate? Can you not trust
me, or do you. too, still doubt?"
1t was Matthew Mora who was thus
pleading. Thus another and most I'M
looked for chapter was added to this
case. Mr.. Mitchell firmly believed-in
fact, could not doubt-that Mora was
the father of Lilian's child. He fam
cied that there was an unusual re-
semblance between Lillian herself and
Perdita, and here he overheard Mora
making ardent professions of love to
the latter.
Had Mora also noticed the similarity
between his little beauty of the slums
and this society belle? Was it this
which had attracted him to this girl
who was his social equal and whom
society would adjudge to be a more
fitting companion to him through life?
AS these thoughts occurred to him
Perdita was replying.
"How can you think me so con-
temptible? l have confessed my love
for you. Does not that suffice? Do
you think that l could care for you
and not trust you?"
"Then you do believe in my inno-
cence?" pursued Mora.
''As l believe in my Maker" was the
girls reply. and the words Jared I'M
pleasantly on Mr.. Mitchels ear.
1t was not pleasant to be thus play
ing eavesdrcpper, but the events which
We're rushing one upon the other so
swiftly and the very interests of this
girl herself seemed to justify Mr.
Mitchell in adopting this method of
learning the truth. He was therefore
glad that the servant did not return
too quickly.
The conversation on the other side of
the portieres continued.
"Ah, you say you believe in my inno-
cence; that you trust me! But, Perdita,
when wish to put that faith to a test
then you shrink. You hesitate to COM
ply with my wishes"
"Ah, but what you ask is so unneces-
sary! l do not understand why you
should make such a request, nor do
think l ought to accede. l owe some
thing to my mother, you know"
when woman truly loves man.
she is ready to give up home. parents
and even self to follow his fortunes"
Il am willing to do all that, but l do
not see why you should ask me to do
so in "A hours. That is very sudden"
ooh, love affairs are always sudden
surprises to women! That is what they
all say"
"Now you are unjust and unkind."
Her voice trembled a little, and Mr..
Mitchell was strongly tempted to open
the draperies and chastiSe this man,
who was urging a girl to do that
which her conscience rebelled against.
Taking advantage of the young girls
emotion, which he thought indicated
tendency to yield, Mora pressed his
suit with renewed ardor.
''My darling, forgive me if l have
spoken roughly! But it is because
love you so that / cannot bear to lose
you, and something tells me that if
do not win you now, that if l cannot
persuade you to go with me, shall
never call you mine"
But why? Now you show that you
do not trust me. 1 will wait for your
return and be true to you forever"
yes, yes. You think so, and you
mean what you say. But listen! 1
must go away. l must leave this de-
tested place. where all my friends re-
gard me with suspicion. No one knows
what | have suffered during the last
few DAYS have been accused of