The Monte Vista journal., 1900-12-29

SptnttHinR, nut sEt N1u not, ana ne went
on, never taking his eyes from her face.
IL came mere to ask you to be my
wife, feeling and believing that YOU
would give me the right To think of and
love you-always. Was wrong?" he
continued. his breath coming quick aud
dry. after all that has passed between
us to hope?"
The girl looked up for an instant. hut
the stern CLEAN that shot from her
companions eyes caused her to turn
away. Suddenly the thing that she ..ad
done rose. gigantic before her. black
with thousand namel.ss doubts. She
almost faltrrcd; only strong sense of
proprieiy Withheld her, and q sting of
memory of the night before su'hced to
strengthen her resolution.
Gould you not easily console your
self with Miss Hunt? You seem to
admire her very much" She spoke
with some bitterness ana her face
hardened The girls heart was max
ing its protest, unconsciously, but
surely.
An expression, half OF amusement,
came into Bainbridge's face, as he
caught the strange nght in her eyes.
but he made no answer and. in spite
of the girls indifferent shrug, a look
of annoyance crossed her face.
\ breath of wind, heavy with the
fragrance of summer, tluttered the
ribbons of her soft gown, as she
turned to him, her eyes black with
sudden emotion.
you took her to the hop-did you
not?"
1t was 10y the merest chance" he
answered with gesture that seemed
to indicate: What else was 10 do?'
There was silence for - little, Then
he looked up suddenly, and said:
''l was surprised no, TO see YOU
there"
Dorothy said nothing. hut shaded
her eyes from the sun with one small
hand and razed idly at n climbing
rose at the other end of the yeranda.
lie had not asked her To go. and a
sort of silly pride forbade her to let
him know that no one else had.
81 meant 10 come here Cambridge
began, after a pause. "to tell YOU
cver3 thing. | thought perhaps" he
went ON slowly, that you would not
mind-so much. But | heard-some
one told me. that you would b. at the
dance with Eggcrtou. That is the rea-
son"
The girls heart began to beat. and
a look OF surprise swept the latest re-
sentiment from her face.
Something in the mans tone. in
the cnrn.stncss of his manner. forced
his sincerity upon her. and she half
rclented.
But the die was cast. and there was
no going back now, She caught her
breath. and the wave of tenderness
that overwhelmed her for a minute
was quickly crushed down.
Dorothy drew deep breath. There
was q pause, Presently she spoke.
No one asked me to go to the hop
she said. determined 10 let him know
everything now. '"I knew you were
there with her. and | thought. of
course. you didn't care about me"
Her heart was throbbing painfully.
a. she went on. unstcadily: And now
since am going to marry some one
else don't see the use Of talking any
more about ii"
Il suppose not" Bainbridge re-
turned. coldly, reaching for his hat.
'Good-by"
The careless tone made her hear,
sink She could not let him 40 like
that
Harry"
He turned back
Cant ". be friends?"
He gaycd at her fiNcdly for a mo-
m.nt and an ominous cloud gathered
on his brow.
NO, think dot"
\ glimmrr of disappointment passed
over the girls face
DO you mean" she asked. locking
her hands tightly over each other,
while look Of hurt surprise appeared
ON her face, that We are 10 be stran-
gcrs?'
u mean h. answered. slowly. in =
voice IN which pain mingled with pas
sion. that ii will b. everything, or
nothing. ! shall always Low, YOU. aud
cannot pretend to friendship which
| do not feel"
lie paused for an in.,an, and looked
straight into the girls eyes, lit In
better he said, calmly. "to b. an
rhemy than u hypocnt,"
Something In his voice aw.d her
into silence. The sun had begun to
set aud great patches OF gold fell ON
the mans face. now white and deter.
mined-a face that brookcd no COM
promise.
Suddenly he came close to her aud.
stopping, pressed his lips to her white
forehead.
She shot a quick glance into hi.