Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-11-07

of surprise. had drawn up her grace
full figure to its full height. and stood
looking at the young man with undis-
guiscd contempt in her finishing eyes.
Chatham paused as if expecting
reply; and then:
Shall explain the object of my
visit before your scrvant?" he asked,
bitterly.
"Iou may leave. Mary, until ] ring
for YOU" said the young girl, turning
to the maid.
The woman reluctantly left the
room, casting curious glanccs upon
her young mistress and her unwcl-
come guest as she went.
Chatham made motion MS If to
take a chair; but Agnes remained sig
nificantly standing.
"Pcrhaps." she said coldly. "you
will be good enough to explain as
briefly as possible your object in fore
ing your presence upon me in this UNI
geutlcmanly way"
81 suppose my conduct does strike
Won MS ungcntlemanly. said the
young man, piteously; "but what could
! do? / love you devotcdly, madly
and YOU will not allow me even to
tell YOU So You instruct your serv-
ants to turn me away from the door
like n beggar rs it crime to love
you?"
no. Mr.. Chatham" said the girl,
more gently. ut is not a crime to love
- woman; but it is at least a serious
selected of showing your affection.
and il is certainly not generous to
force it upon her as YOU are doing"
"Nlat else can | do?' he repeated
dogqcdly. "Ilcre am suddenly
Obliged to leave New York for a long
perhaps forevcr-and unable TO
get single word with you. | called
yesterday morning and was Informed
that YOU we're at that artist fellows
studio Then | wrote you letter.
asking for an interview. and | left it
there for you myself. The only notice
YOU took of it was to give instructions
to your butler not to admit me if |
called again. l cannot go away like
that, without ray of hope to Tighten
my exile, and to leave YOU here sur
rounded by lot of men who are
anxious to marry YOU
The tender-hearted girl felt a grow
ing pity for the awkward and vulgar
young man i'll whom she began vague
~ to discern genuine suffering.
Il am sorry, Mr.. Chatham" she
said, more sorry than can say.
But what can | DO ! 90 not care
for You in the way You wish. and af-
lection is not TO be coerced. nave
done the best | could to discourage
you, because
Il know you have interrupted
Chutham; you have avoided me, and
snubbed me, and taken every way YOU
could to show that you do not like
me-
at would have been mistaken kind
ness to do otherwise" said Agnes,
gently.
NO, il wouldn't" exclaimed the ac-
countant; Il don't ask YOU to love
me: not at once at any rate. But
give me a show: give NE time; give
me a little hope
II cannot do that said the girl, in
a low tone.
"Why can't you?" urged the young
man eXcitedly. Il have sacrificed cv-
ervthinr for you; have given up all |
had; | have lost my position; | have
risked my life"
81 don't understand YOU" said Miss
| Murdoch, looking at him in astonish-
ment.
"Nour father would" he replied.
| buslIly: "it was he cCocd me on to
this: he promised me that lou would
have me"
MY father nromised-"
"NeS. your father; and, by G-"
Chatham. who was growing more and
more excited, brought down his
clenched fist upon table near which he
! stood, and with an evident effort re-
pressed the oath which rose to his lips.
! Miss Murdock, startled and bcwildered
observed him in specchlcss amazement.
After a momcntary struggle, the az
countant suddenly broke forth in pite-
Gus pleading:
~ don't ask much now Tell me only
one thing and ! shall 20 away content
for the present. Say that no other man
has any better chance with you than
have. Say that YOU do not love anyone
else"
The young girl tried hard to avoid