The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-05-07
Wsman's Privilege.

Shc Was penufns over new DOOh as
he came in. She laid IL down, and rose
10 greet him.
You were 80 interested In your
book" he said. reproachfully. that
fear you forgot told you would be
here AT L."
Gould ] forget?" she laughed mo,
while / waited I tried to Nuke time
pass quickly with book
He smiled as one TO whom such
things We're due and seated himself
where he could face her She was look
ing her best that afternoon. She was
aware of that fact. and for one who
loathed affection her pose was sus.
piciously like H. But he only thought
how well she would carry the family
name and the family diamonds
Il Same this afternoon, he said.
FOR a special purpose hoped last
night when I asked IL | might see YOU
alone today you would understand why
l asked" ~
His manner was quite confident. and
the slight tenderness In IL gave the i'm
preston that he knew oil was we'll with
him. She had her eyes fixed on the
floor SO he did not see the smile she
was trying TO hide. He was SO sure
OF her answer that, while she felt he
deserved a refusal, yet she felt a little
sorry for him. He was distinctly good
10 look at. bright and clever as pos
slble. irreproachable in family and posi-
tion, the only child, and his mother
was quite willing she should have those
magnificent diamonds.
She lifted her eyes to him.
II came to ask you to be my wife"
He spoke impressively. and yet with
the tone of one who is trying not to
overwhelm another.
Perhaps she was nervous, but she
undoubtedly smothered a giggle. He
evidently thought il sob, for he came
to her side and leaned over her chair.
Il did not mean te agitate you, nay
darling" He was trying to take her
hand. Don't keep me in suspense
longer than is necessary"
you are very kind" she said, polite
ly; but don't believe care about
accepting your Offer"
He stared.
"You are fiippant; this is hardly q
time for joking"
She sprang angrily to her feet.
Joking. Joking! Because | refuse
you? Did you think IT so Impossible
that I could decline such an honor?"
He flushed a dark crimson. You
gave me considerable reason to think
you would not decline"
How dare you" she cried. "Do you
mean that ] deliberately led YOU on?"
Something very like It. II you are
in earnest. But viii not believe"
That l am IN earnest2 | am very
much so. / have not the slightest idea
OF marrying you. | never led you on.
You bored me to death. Was IL my
fault II your eonceit kept YOU from see
Ing my smothered yawnsY
She had dealt him the cruclcs. blow
hurt his vanity. A man can stand
better than that. He was
silent minute then gave a harsh
laugh.
And you are the woman wanted to
make my wife"
Don't take that tone to me-" she
bSiu VuithlNs N1l noN 10
You knew why ! was coming This
evenlns. You might have spared me
this"
lie leaned on the mantel and dropped
his face IN hls hands she was dis
t'nctly embarrassed and ashamed as
he could see out OF tho corner Of his
eye
You never cared FOR me she said
and her voice shook a little. "vnu were
always 50 busy telling mo about your
self and your doIngs.' Her Indignation
was gettlng the better of her sympa-
thies. You had no time To- think about
me, Why. you don't even know tho COLI
or OF my ewes. 7 suppose you felt Il
was time you married. and your mother
approved of me and so you condescends
ed to honor M With your hand think
Ing I world be .srstrfil."
: rle Mas looking a. her. blI she re-
fused 70 meet hl- ssze. lie was so sur.
prised that h- grew pale His voice was
ss he answered hei.
You ate wrong ABOUT my nat being !
interested IN what you 10 or say. |
have been thinking OF you. and YOU |
only. since ! first met YOU beg your !
pardon for acting IKE cad ] have /
b.ep spoiled all my ifs niy friends
ahd' iVhslves are lsrSely 10 blame fer