New-York tribune., 1901-05-05

as ever much taller than she. with fierce mus
"A widow" he continued in a comicaI voice
that Jared. = widow. Poor little Bess"
You haven't been hcme yeti" she said in a
hurry Archie looked half reproachful.
No he said. You came first. You were
Always hrst-weren't you? But l say. Ia no
eiiI .tIa, cl a ,il. bother getting leave
4 tried for it before" he said. Just after the
news came that the generaI-that-you know
i got bit OF a cut on the head. but il healed
up before ! could get my papers: and they want
ed US badly for pack Of little fights"
How did you get it at last" said Bess She
saw the scar white ridge across his brow. and
remembered finding his name, with terror.
among the wounded. II made her feel proud and
tender she looked in his face and smiled.
How Gsked Archie. I told the colonel I
wanted leave To set married"
But-are you 2''--
Archie laughed oddly at her exclamation.
'1-I-hope SO, he said meaningly. Then as
luck would have it, in walked Joseph
Ten minutes later he was ing literally
shaken.
What possessed you to interrupt them?" said
Mrs Cox. injured and indignant. Another
minute and they would have come TO an under
standing Now it may he put off for days.
Eeyed,' said Joseph
Mrs. Cox looked at him with warlike scorn.
She had TO pretend said she
Archie had always been imperious with Bess.
and time had not made him less 50. His air OF
proprietorship was the revival Of ancient
habit; and Yet. when il struck her. Ress felt as
If up in arms. He came TO her as she was stand
ing al the window in her writing den. and looked
over her shoulder. Somebody riding away
from the door
Who is thar he asked curiousIy Bess
started.
Its Mr.. Gordon Of Dalcarres" she said. I
asked him to stay 10 lunch but he wouldn't:
and You had vanished with Polly Cox"
What did he WANT asked Archie Bess
lifted her chin at his iordly tone; she was not
accustomed to any mans imperiousness.
1t was on business" she said I'm buying a
farm Of his"
on" said Archie Where is it? We mustn't
lei him cheat you Can't We ride over and have
a look"
Cheat me?' cried Bess. She was angry with
Dalcarres; he had been queer and curt. and
had ridden away 50 fast: but cheat her, If only
ne could hear that cool suggestion,
Yes All these people look upon you as law
ful snoil." said Archie
A forlorn widow / SUPPOSE"
He did not understand that she was rather
angry.
Poor lit;le eiri?" he said sympathetically.
You've been having a had time lately. / darr
S1F. woman - never happy when she Is rich.
Nell. I'm here. SO all that is past"
Thank YOU said ,esS- Archie came a uttl-
nearer. His manner VAS more than ever sug-
Sestlve OF th- pnsS-ssste case.
Mrs Cox was t-Lins me you had been fairly
plagued with admirers. \ pack OF fortune hunt
ing scamps, she made me- feel quite nervous %
Bess laughed
on. no." she said. I'm spared that The will
keeps them all .loCf"
The viii" eaid Archie His fingers went Up
suddenly. an-ishtcdly. TO his mustache H..
drew back win 4 start.
Yes. You know il marry lose il all
What
Archie vas breathIess with astonishmant. ana
he looked At her II she must be mad
I never heard that. You never told me-
4 told you long ago, in my first letter after
after
Il never had t." he Interrupted fiercey like a
much injured man Annie and John and the