The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1900-06-27
Chatham saw the motion and sprang

before her to intercept it.
"Ahi that is the way OF 1t, is III" he
exclaimed, with passionate jealousy
"You are-in love-with another mani
The words seemed to choke him in
the utterance. The blood rushed to his
head; the veins on his temples stood
out in purple vividness, and, as he
clutched systematically at his collar, a
wild light came into his eyes.
Agnes caught their mad glitter and
shrank back 10 sudden terror.
II have been duped!" he shouted,
frantically. II have been a cat's-paw,
and now that I have done all that was
wanted OF me / am to be turned of
like dog, with kick. The dirty work
IL done, is it? Wen see about that;
we'll see what your father has to say.
But, at any rate, you can be sure Of one
thing"
His voice sank to hoarse whisper
and the words fell with impressive dis
tinctness:
III don't marry you, no one ever
SHALL"
As he spoke he leaned forward upon
the table which stood near him, and
his fingers closed nervously upon the
handle OF jeweled paper knife. There
was murder in his eye at that moment,
and the frightened girl quailed be-
fore It.
Suddenly her ear caught the sound Of
footsteps in the hallway. She opened
her lips to cal. for help, but before she
could utter sound the door opened, re-
yealing the anxious face Of the house
maid, who had heard enough to realize
that it was time to interrupt the tete-
a-tete without further ceremony.
Mr.. sprague, miss" she an
nounced, with comforting nod at her
young mistress, whose pale face and
frightened eyes had not escaped her at
tention.
Sprague stood on the threshold In
evident embarrassment, looking from
Agnes to Chatham, and uncertain how
to act.
II fear 7 am intruding, Miss Muir.
dock" he said at last; your maid
told me she thought you could re-
ceive me. Perhaps l would better call
again"
"No, no, Mr.. sprague," replied the
young girl, efPusively, coming toward
him with outstretched hands; II am
80 glad to see you" And then, observ-
ing his inquiring glance toward
Chatham, II think she added, cold
ly, that this gentleman has said all
that he has to say to me-"
Chatham's excitement had subsidized;
in the reaction, he seemed i'll and
weak and he nervously clenched his
tremulous right hand.
II will wait to see DR.. Murdoch,
he said, doggedly, in low voice.
"As you please" replied Agnes, aft
err q slight hesitation. MARY, show
Mr.. Chatham to the doctors study
As the accountant followed the serv-
ant from the room, blank despair was
stamped In every feature, and 1t
Beemed to sprague, as the door closed
that he heard something like con-
vulsive sob.
Unconsciously Agnes had chung to
Sprague's hand. Now, as the sense OF
danger disappeared, she became
aware Of what she was doing; and, In
sudden embarrassment, she with.
drew her hand from his reassuring
clasp.
The artist, recalling the object Of
his visit, at once became grave and
formal.
II am sorry to intrudc upon you al
this unconventional hour Miss Muir
dock, but l found this letter in my
studio to-day. 1t was evidently
dropped by you yesterday; and
thinking 1t might be important, l.
"a letter. What letter?' asked
Agnes, puzzled.
Spragus held out the sealed envel
ope. The young girl tore it open ant
cast a hurried glance at Its contents
Then suddenly understanding, she
tore the paper to shreds and threw
these angrily into the fire which
burned brightly In the large oper
fireplace.
"Oh, that" she exclaimed, con
temptuously. And then after pause
do you mean to say you thought
She stopped short, seized by sud
den shyness.
"What else could 1 Think" sale
sprague, softly.
He was watching the fragments o;
paper as they Jared upon the hearth
The flame which consumed then
seemed to shed radiant glow upo1
his heart.
"Then," he added. presently, ant
still more softly, IF there Is nothing
between you and-and him-perhaps-
perhaps l may hope-Miss Murdoch
Agnes"
His hand sought hers and found 1t
But the reaction had come at last
and the brave girl who had been abl'
to control herself In the presence o
a threatening mailman now gave wa,
to flt of hysterical weeping.
sprague. not being medical man
could hardly have known what RENE
dies to employ In an emergency Of thi
kind. All he did was to whisper sooth
ing words in the young girls ear ant
to kiss the tears from her eyes. Blu
apparently that was enough. Evident
" for q layman ha must have uossesseI