The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-10-31

slowly. "No doubt there are more charms
| to discover impossible as IL seems I
bowed nsoclsingly. Bot zone infers from
the known 10 the unknown"
Supposing there Is a known ~so infer
FROM" / suggested
He looked at me in astonishmert "Do
you mean TO say that after our pleasant
fortnight2 Q raised my cyebrowsD "Of
course ! speak only for myself"
- concede the plea sant.' | said with
a smile that was intended to look genuine.
DO you mean that We haven't shown
most of our real selves? That we have
just played play?'
You know We have" said with an
air Of franloness. 1T has been great fun.
really have enjoyed IL immensely. But
am not such practiced actor as YOU. aud
FL am getting little tired of pretending
He drew his breath sharply. IL occurred
to nee that perhaps he really lad cared a
little
Il do not understand" he said. Surely
you don't mean--you can't mean--that
you have merely been pretending to be
good friends with me?'
Of course not" | said lightly. Were
excellent friends. ! hope. But friendship
has certain limits" The night before hc
had held my hand ever so tightly in the
dusk, and when We parted he tried to--he
almost Oh wcll, I'll tell the truth. He
kissed me.
ship TO grow
He touched my hard. and drew it
sharply away.
1T depends upon persons and circum-
stances % course J replied, coldly.
In oar case, and circumstances?
NY heart beat furiougly that he should
| dare TO 30 SO FAR. | would draw him 1T
| tie further ( decided. So / looked at my
shoes and said nothing.
Eve. Pretty little Eve?" / turned and
laughed up at him.
1T Is so silly-when neither OF us Is the
| least I'm earnest"
lie stared at me In apparent bewilder-
! ment
do you mean" he said. sternly. that
you have no thought for me beyond mere
| friendship? ii SO, you are the most heart
| less''---
| drew myself up stiffly.
Really" said. frigidIy. you carry
| the way too far. Mr.. Chalmers. There is
point at which ii becomss an insult"
Insult" He stood up and lowered over
me. Insult! That love you? That I--oh,
| / am a fool 10 tell you
"Foolshness." | said rneaningly. lis
| pardonaDle. Some things are not. Deceit
| is one OF them"
He looked down at me for a moment.
| Then he smiled a wintry smile. Deceit
| he agreed, lis one OF them. | ~ not think
/ shall ever be deceived by woman
| again"
He looked so angry that il seemed to
| me that perhaps, after all. he really had
| fallen in love with me littie. IL was
wrong. wicked. inexcusable; but ] was
| glad, glad, glad l must find out, resolv-
| ed
Tell me honestly" I demanded. "if
| you can drop pretense for once
"You have no right to speak TO me like
| that" he interrupted. furiousiy.
Have not? Have yoU not known per-
! fectly well all along that you would new
er never be anything more to me than .
| friend?'
Il think" he said that you are the
! lie stopped abruptly. II don't like to say
hard things TO a woman. he stated. after
an interval Then we were silent.
There was a sudden burst OF conversa-
| ton when the game came 70 an end.
They will be making up another set"
said. Wont you join them?"
He took a quick step TO the opening OF
| the tent Then he turned For Gods sake
| Eve" he implored. tell me that II isn't
your real self that is speaking this even
! ing II you knew how much l cared for
| you. IL you understood'--
Il understand l said, quietly.
| Haven't you down I'm the bottom OF
! your heart just one little bit OF love for
| me-when love you so much-my dear?''
| tried TO say No" hu. couldn't.
! clenched my hands fiercely and bit my lips
I
| should never. never know. After a few
seconds, that seemed an age, the others
! came 10 the tent.
"Ah, Miss Eve" said the Colonel. "L
knew that you were hiding here. but T
| wouldn't disturb YOU Let me introduce
another MIR. Robert Chalmers. the cousin
! of our big friend here" rose mechant-
, cally. "IIe IS coming TO settle down here
with his wife and-Why. what's the mat
ter. my dearY
I'll feel faint" | said feebly.
| dropped back IN a chair. and every
! thing grew misty. Some one ran for wat
or ! think. and the two Robert Chalmers
lifted me, chair and all. into the open air.
Thought OF several Things to say. but
! they didn't seem the right ones. So I
waited a few minutes for him to begin.
| but he didn't He looked so hurt that I
felt / couldn't wait any longer.
"It Is awkward" ] remarked feebly.
that you and your cousin have the sans
name"
"It Is not unusual with cousins" he
| answered, indfferently.
Moo. buzz looked at him appeal
ingly
II don't see why II matters"
People might mistake one for the
| other
Yes. DO you mean-has any one"---
"N-o-at least-do you know your cou-
sins wife?"
"Of course! One of the iolliest little
women i'm the world. He Is devoted to
her"
People might think that you were
"EVcI'
Were married. / mean"
He stared at me for a moment, then he
Jumped up. II was a good thing
that | was sitting right at the side of the
tent.
When he had spoiled my hat and crush
ed my blouse he demanded explanation.
So ! explained. expected that he would
be dr6adfully cross, but he wasn't lie
Just put his arm around me and
AS I said, he has a good way with-mes
chicago Times-Hersld.
a IA.