The Saint Paul globe., 1900-05-01
l}< bort Story OF Gbe DAY.
a BATTLE OF HEARTS
New Orleans Times-Democrat

She was bending over a new book as
he came In. She laid 1t down and rose to
greet him.
You We're so interested in your book"
he said. reproaehfuIIy. that / fear you
forgot had told you would be here
at T."
Gould 1 forget?" she laughed. mo;
while / waited / tried to make time pass
quickly with book"
He smiled as one to whom such things
were due and seated himself where he
could face her. She was looking her best
that afternoon. She was aware Of that
fact, and for one who loathed affectation
her pose was suspiciously like IT, But he
only thought how well she would carry
the family namo and the family dla-
monds.
81 came this afternoon" he said, ''for
a special purpose / hoped last night
when l asked If 7 might see you alone to-
day you would understand why / asked"
His manner was quite confident. and
the slight tenderness in 1t gave the i'm
preston that he knew all was well with
him. She had her eyes fixed on the floor,
so he did not see the smile she was try
ing to hide. He was 50 sure of her an
swer that while she felt he deserved a re-
fusal. yet she felt a little sorry for him.
He was distinctly good to look at, bright
and clever as possible. irreproachable in
family and position the only child, and
his mother was quite willing she should
have those magnificent diamonds.
She lefted her eyes to him.
'I came to ask you to be my wife" He
spoke impresslYely. and yet with the tone
Of one who is trying not to overwhelm
another.
Perhaps she was nervous, but she un-
IL. rr4er Il nut
IDENTIFY thought it a sob, for he came TO
her side and leaned over her chair
IT did not mean to agitate you, my
darling" He was trying to take her
hand Don't keep me in suspense long
er than is necessary
you are kind" she said, politely; "but
1 don't believe I care about accepting
your offer"
He stared.
You are aippant; this is hardly time
for joking
She sprang angrily to her feet.
Joking! Joking! Because I refuse
YOU? Did you think 1t so impossible that
could decline such al bonor?'
He flushed dark crimson.
you gave me considerable reason TO
think you would not decline"
"How dare your she cried. DO you
mean that l deliberately led you on?'
Something very like it. If you are in
earnest. But will not believe
'"That | am In earnest? L am very
much so. l have not the slightest idea
of marrying you. l never led you on.
You bored me TO death. Was 1t my
fault II your conceit kept you from see
ing my smothered yawns?"
She had dealt him the cruelest blow
hurt his vanity. A man can stand any
thing better than that. He was silent a
minute; then gave a harsh laugh.
'And you are the woman 1 wanted to
make my wifei"
Don't talk in that tone to me-" she
said quickly. II am not to blame"
You knew why l was coming this even
| ing You might have spared me this"
He leaned on the mantel and dropped
his face in his hands. She was distinctly
embarrassed and ashamed, as he could
see out OF the corner OF his eye.
You never cared for me- she said, and
| her voice shook a little. "You were al
ways 50 busy telling me about yourself
and your doingsI" Her Indignation was
| getting the better of her sympathies
| you had no time to think about me
! Why, you don't even know the color oi
| my eyes. / suppose you felt 1t was time
you married, and your mother approved
| OF me. and so you condeseended to honor
me with your hand, thinking / would b,
| grateful"
He was looking at her. but she refused
| TO meet his gaze. He was so surpriset