The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-03

Where did you find it?' she asked.
Il will tell you that later on. First Of
all. Melinda. do you think you have
treated me well?'
4 couldn't help it," she murmured
You know it wasn't me.
Perhaps not" / said. AT any rate.
you cannot deny that YOU have broken
your promise. and for anything YOU know
to the contrary, ruined my life.
Il did il for the sake of others she
whispered, in voice that was almost in
audible.
Il don't believe it," said. calmly. sI
don't believe il! You have never thought
of anyone but yourself all your life. Its
no good coming the noble. self-sacrificing
motive over me, Melinda. because il won't
wash You have thrown me over for
Leonard, partly because he had lot of
money to buy you expensive dresses and
diamonds and things. and could give YOU a
big house. with a lot of servants TO boss
over. and partly because YOU always are
influenced by the person who is nearest to
you. ! ought to have known you Were as
weak as water. You have made a jolly
mess of mans life. and yet you can be
perfectly happy and comfortable
Melinda sighed. There never was a
more unhappy girl than me, she said.
I laughed. That's all nonsense. You
are as pleased YOU can be because two
men are making themselves miserable
about YOU. / don't know why we do-you
certainly are not worth il. | wish to
heaven you weren't SO confouudedly
pretty
This encouraged Melinda to try To smile
so you still think me pretty, do your
she said softly.
Pretty! l groaned inwardly, for knew
that, however plainly / saw Melinda's
faults, and however Disguised | was with
her behavior. there was no mistalling the
fact that 1 was more in love with her than
ever. Pretty.
Besides" she went on. you are mis-
taken There is only one man miserable
about me, and that is you. Leonard isn't
miserable. He is very happy, as indeed
he ought to be"
Yes" said, grimly. he ought indeed
But he won't be for long"
Poor AIelindai The thunderbolt had
"You~you. she sasped; you are going
to tell him."
Unless WHAT eagerly snatching at
"Uniess''-I spoke very slowly-'uuless
you break OF the engagement and marry
me"
Melinda gasped.
john she cried. ''You are mad.
Marry you after all this?''
Yes" | said. trying to speak with
calmness l did not feel; marry me.
dare say you are surprised that I should
want to marry you. now that | have found
out your true character; but In spite Of
everything / care f0r You more than any
thing in the world, and l mean 10 have
you in the end.
Melinda laughed dohanuy and rose to go |
serhis Is too much she said. You have |
gone a little too far my dear John. l am
engaged to Leonard. You are perfectly ri /
diculous, | have promised to marry him.
promises" said /, are easily broken.
Melinda laughed again. This promise
will be kept" she said Good heavens,
marry you after all the trouble [ had
about IT before! You are certainly mad. |
VI
salary while How-you are simply doing |
nothing. What do you propose to do to |
earn your liSing?'
AS you say" said l. nothing"
"Ah!' said Melinda Il thought so. No. !
thank YOU If you think my ideal of hap |
piness is bread and cheese and kisses, ANA |
not even 4 certainty about that. you are |
mistaken"