The Lamar register., 1900-04-04

hhd toyed in the past with his Cousin
Roddy's boyish love, or even the Lille
who had repudiated his own orIer OF
marriage with such scorn. For he
realized now that Lille had come to
Know the solace OF reliance upon that
Divine Anchor, whose storm tossed
souls are never shipwrecked.
Don knew himself to be but a rud-
dsriess harque. drifting on a shoreless
sea: but though faith awoke no re-
sponsive echo In his own heart. he ad-
mired lille none tho less for the
change which had made her a truer
and nobler woman than the thought
less, somewhat heartIess maiden of the
past,
Toe interest she had manifested In
his -Don's-conyalcscen and his ca
reeT altogether. lent impetus to the
thought that she would not refuse him
her hand a second time.
Marriage with Lille would mean to
him afnuenee equal to the rent rolls of
Gsdie. and-vell. he admired Lille as
much as Don felt II incumbent upon
him to aHmire any one. TO the eIclu-
sion Of the overruling idol of his life.
and that was self
But II sRs almost with the air of an
ardent lover Don drew rein before the
spacious white house surrounded by q
cool veranda. between whose slender
columns green blinds OF split bamboo
excluded the heat OF the sun by day.
Yes, the mensahib was at home"
he was Informed by the durwan-door-
ksepcr-who hurried to his summons
A gong was banged to announce
visitor. and thereupon another native,
red-tIrhaued and white-caftAued. ap-
peared on the threshold and salaaned
Don Gordon through the white vssti-
bale toward a delightful apartment.
which proved 10 be untenantsd. II was
a EcritAble indy's bOEdoir. FINISHED
with European taste and oriental
splendor combined
On the walls we're dotted valuable
prints In English frames. which Don
remembered to have adorned Capt.
Dsrwenrs private quarters at home.
They had touch OF pAthos as seen in
conjunction with the great gilded
punkah which hung overhead.
About the room were scattered the
books and thousand and one knick-
knarks which betrayed that even In
far northeastern India an English lady
must have her drawIug-room. It is
her own especial kingdom. where she
can gather together and eushrine in
constant remembrance all the pretty
trtfes which make up the larger com
forts Of the mother country.
Don Gordon. standing in the center
ot the room for an instant irresolute,
took In all the details n. a glance. Then
he walked TO the large window opening
into a garden. I; was still light enough
for the lamps to be unIit, and the scent
OF the orange blossoms and the tube
roses stole softly In on the air
He wRs usually self-goyerned to
fault; but the sight Of this English
room had stirred anew deep thoughts
OF that distant Scottish home he told
himself he could never bear to look
upon again.
A silk curtain which draped the door
suddenly rrstied and. turning quickly.
Don found the girl he had come to see
advancing TO meet him.
Lille Derwent wore a simple gown OF
washing silk. which came close about
her slender throat; but II was Of spot
less white, and the fine mold of her
slopIng shoulders and rounded arms
showed daEzIingIy through its delicate
texture, and her abundant golden hair
formed a coronet with which no jewels
could have We'd.
AS he looked At her Don felt his
heart stirred with admiration, for she
was vision OF loyeliness of which any
man might be proud, much more a
would-be lover.
And Lille. who shall say what were
her swift thoughts of the tall, slim
soldier. looking doubly handsome at
that moment in his Kharki uniform.
one hand holding his helmet, the other
resting lightly on the hilt Of his sword.
The next instant the helmet was laid
ON the floor. and he was taking both
her hands and retaining them, with an
,,umtstakable emotion.
Il hope you don't mind me coming
so awfully late. Miss Derwent; but
was on duty on and on till mess, and
then some fellows detained me so long
tllI had simply to rush away and ride
here post haste"
She smiled as she seated herself on
n aivan and motioned him to chair
near her.
.But, indeed. 1t is not at all late. and