The Marble times and Crystal silver lance., 1901-06-14

1ineSS of child s. One IancleQ tne
full scarlet lips could be as scornful as
they were sensitive-as passionate AS
they were sweet And those who knew
Leslie Marsh knew the warmth her
proud heart held, the brilliance her
brain harbored, the gentleness which
was Is much part of her divine
power as her beauty itself! Yes, he
was making a perfectly proper choice.
Would she be overwhelmed to be Sc
lected as the bride of a millionaire
To have a palace at Newport, a town
house in London? There was charm
ing old mansion on blue Scottish
moor he would buy for her if she fan-
cied a sojourn in the land of the
heather. AS for jewels-he smiled
again there All women loved jewels.
How many men could offer to the
chosen companion of his life such rare
gems as he?
But, while he found himself, the en-
We'd of all men, sailing beside her
down the Adriatic-he had almost
fixed on the Adriatic for their we'd
ding triple used his language as the
sapient Frenchman divined-to con-
ceal his thoughts.
That Mr.. Cable seems fine sort
OF fellow. No end of talk about
him at the clubs. He is the lion of
the hour, they say"
"Oh, we quite claim Mr.. Cable at our
house! His every honor is a personal
triumph for U.S."
80 good of you to say sol" Raymon
was nothing if not complacent. He
ought to be very much fiattered"
A queer little look flashed at him
from under the curling dark lashes.
at is we who are flattered Mr.. Ray
monw
His laugh was leniency itself.
THE extent of your charity is only
being revealed to me! l wonder if
may-if l mlght-plead for mercy for
myselfr'
They were driving slowly homeward
through the silence, the crispness, the
blueness of a perfect February night.
You! What could the gods give you
that you have not?'
He was conscious of the tremor that
"ShI lulouSu lHG 5llSal La a
sense of his supremacy shook him. He
had been right then! All his golden
anticipations were to be realized. Not
that he had doubted for a moment
that any girl in her right mind would
refuse him-Reginald Raymon! His
arm slipped confidently around her
waist
cyiy iyn N
unless you were theirs to give!"
"Ah!" she said softly. She moved a
little until she was free from his arm.
"You-you are quite sure"
That was just where Raymon's bad
quarter of an hour began.
"Sure-indeed, yes! l have not spok.
en- hastily. 1 have given the matter
weighty one as you will admit-due
consideration" He adjusted his
monocle. He wished the coachman
would drive more slowly. Il recollect
of what l owe to my family, to my
position, to-if / may say SOTO my
self"
YES" sighed tender voice, ooh
yes!'
"And l have made up my mind that
you are the only woman l shall marry
you'll"
He could feel again the tremor of
the slender shape near. He put out
a fat little hand. His touch was not
tentative by any means. 1t was de-
termined. There was no false mod
esty about Raymon. In the gloom of
the carriage he almost forgot the
charm, the beauty, the power of the
girl. All these were engulfed in his
own superb condescension-a con-
Her choking voice when she spoke
proved that.
"And / have decided it is you-you
whom l have chosen for-my wife!"
You have" How overwhelmed
she was!-"not spoken rashly?"
my mind" he declared heroically,
"is irrevocably made up!"
you are sure you will not re-
gret-"
He cut short the faltering voice.
Your timidity Is uncalled for, dear,
never change my mind. When shall
It be?-confound that coachman!"
| The carriage door swung back. Ray
mon walked with Miss Marsh up the
steps.
Don't come in!' she entreated
sweetly. Il have an engagement. And
Pm very sorry you know-and very
grateful for the honor of course, but
couldn't care for you-that way
Thank you-ever SO much! Take care!
A frost has fallen! The steps are quite
slippery. I've had most enjoyable
evening. Goodnight goodnight"
Then, her cheeks scarlet, her lips
apart, and breathing hard she was in
the library-was facing a man who
had risen from his low chair in the
light Of the dying fire.
"Well?" he questioned hoarsely. He
came slowly towards her. well? He
proposed tonight l knew he would.