The Banner-Democrat., 1901-02-23

And the voice was c0lu anu naTu, ,
and the face stern and immovable.
Haughtily the young beauty turned
aside when she said it, never noticing
the outstretched hand and imploring
eyes that pleaded SO powerfully IN
their silence.
Ronald Norton stood moment. then
opened the door and went out, carry
ing with him a wounded heart ano
leaving behind one too proud 10
acknowledge its pain.
But Mabel Leigh found out her mis-
take. She did not extract the same
sweetness from life that she had since
knowing Ronald Norton. Its hours
dragged wearily along, uncheered by
the hope of his presence to hghten
them. And, worse than all, 1t was Tor
no real cause that they were separat-
ed.
A word-a "trifle light as air"-had |
fioated between them at time when |
they both took it up and We're too
proud to own repentance.
Ronald had never said the words
that would have bound them together,
hut In a hundred different ways Love
had spoken. They knew each held
the others happiness, and were con-
tent.
Ronald felt that the time had come
when he must tell Mabel Of his hopes
and desires, and secure the prize his
heart coveted. For Mabel was prize.
Her beauty and accomplishments won
many a lover to her side, and Norton
was greatly envied.
No one would have envied him now
as, with a heavy heart he paced back
and forth in his room, through the
livelong night, thinking only OF the
happiness which had been within his
grasp and then suddenly failed him.
He knew Mabel to be slow to anger,
but strong In her wrath when aroused,
and he, on this night of all nights, had
unwittingly offended her by the strong
side he had taken In discussion OF
well-known character arrested for for
gerry.
Love or argument had always been
trait Of Ronald's character, and he de-
Tended the accused solely for this rea-
son. Mabel supposed he was utterint
his own sentiments, and her eye'
flashed and Eer heart beat angrily o.
she listened.
Could this be the man who was NOR
than friend to her? Could she homo
n man who cherished such sentiment
as she had heard him speak?
Shaded from the light, she leane
her head against the cushions OF he
chair, and thought while the gentle
men continued their discussion.
It ended by her sudden rising, an
laughing command to dismiss the sub
jsct.
The sentlemsn apologized an
obeyed, and after a short time OF ger
eral conversation, one by one toe
their leave.
Ronald fingered among the las
eager to secure q few moments to hlI
self. Nervously he walked around t
drawing-room, looking at the pictur
he had seen a II, ndred times befoI
picking up and laying down the ell
CANT volumes at hand. tossing over t
cards In the receiver, and feelil
about as cool and collected as me
men do under the circ-,,, distances.
low brilliant Mabel looked. leani
against the door, as she chatted wi
young Styles! How she could en(t
such a PORTRAY was more than Ro
aid could tell, and here she was laug
ing and talking with him as If Ron'
was a thousand miles away.
It certainly wasn't polite to sta
with her back to him, and 1t m
have been for half an hour. ID
Ronald pulled ou, his watch. NO,
was only eight minutes! What In
world was Syles staying so late
1t was very absurd in Mabel to mi
herself SO fascin. ting to everypo
Just see that lovely bare arm
rounded out from the soft lace as
fitted ler fan back and forth.
Styles as gazing with cool admi
ton on 1t, confound him!
Poor Ronald, in his excitem'
stood gl. ring at them, In ut er dis
c,rd Il courtesy. Well was 1t
him that Mabel did not see him.
At last 81 les bowed himself out.
expectn moment had come.
Mabel turned, but her briEiancy
vanished. Ir stead Of the smile '
which she rus wont to meet Ron
her face was cold. Instead Of sinl
ON a chair for their usual parting C
she stood still and looked at her wa
.I had no idea 1t was so late"
remarked.
Ronald stood transflxGd. The CHI
in her was so sudden, so marked
could not understand 1t. But
could he say? To speak of love at
moment was impossible. But
could not go silently.
"Mabel-Miss Leigh" he began,
perately.
swell. sir!' was the cool an
from the cool belle.
"May I-tnat is, will you allow
speak for myself?"
"No. ,,irw came clear and shor
"Not now," said Norton, hurri
Utomorrow-any other time"
"Neither now nor ever!' was th
ply. as she made motion to
him
Ronald felt a chill Ike Ice thl
h,s heart. Mecho nically he foil
her. took his hat In the hall and
out his hand.
All. IL she had but taken 1t, 1t
would have let he- go till she
heard his hearts message! But