Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1901-06-29

She walked swiftly along the road
to the town, her head bent in thought.
The daughter of a Cornish clergyman,
Joan Hesketh had on his death found
herself practically penniless.
She had gone to live at Peneleth
with her aunt, who, owing to
stroke of illfortune, was obliged to
let a portion of her little house.
Thus it was that Wargrave, the
artist, had come to live with them
some eighteen months ago. What
his presence now meant to the girl,
she herself only knew.
She brushed a tear from her eye
as she entered the house.
HE only dreams of the past" she
murmured, half-sob in her voice.
"He will never know"
A few minutes later Wargrave
was plodding leisurely along the
road, his easel under his arm. Look
ing ahead, he noticed an open carri-
age sweep along the curve, and as it
came nearer he saw there was only
one occupant, lady. Catching
sight of her face, he gave a start of
surprise and came to an abrupt halt.
She had seen him, too, and had
given an order to the coachman.
The next moment the carriage had
drawn up in front of him, and, with
white face, he was staring at the
woman who so smilingly held out a
hand to him. She was about 80, re-
markably handsome. and dressed in
the latest fashion.
"Not due to Fate" she said, laugh
ing at his surprise, II saw one of
your pictures in London shop, in
quired the address, and came down
to this remote spot to find
you" She opened the carriage door.
81 have to return TO London tonight.
want you, for the sake of old times,
to come to the hotel and have tea
with me. Will you?"
He got in beside her, and the carri-
age turned. In few minutes they
were sitting alone in the long dining
room OF the hotel. He had not tasted
the tea she had handed to him, but
was looking at her intently, his eyes
taking in all the details of her ap-
pearance. She had removed her
hat and coat, and sat before him, a
smiling vision of magnifcence.
"And what has happened to youP"
she asked quickly.
He gave little shrug of his shoul-
ders.
Nothing; l am where l was a
dozen years ago, except that now
| know" He paused then he looked
across at her.
"And you?" H
She bent trifle over the table to-
ward him.
II came down to tell you'll" she said,
in low tone, "Vansittart has been
dead two years. l am free again
and a wealthy woman"
She was looking straight into his
eyes, and he gave a slight start. Ut
tering a soft exclamation, she rose
from her seat and stood by his side.
"Yes, in the old days, Austin, you
loved mel" she cried, quickly. "You
thought me heartless, but that
wasn't quite the right word. l low
ed you, but knew my temperament.
| wasn't born to be the wife of a
struggling man; poverty would
have made me miserable; we should
both have been extremely unhappy.
l did what you know-married a
rich man. Now am free, l came to
you again; it isn't too late, Austin
we are almost young still"
He passed hand over his forehead.
you would be willing to marry
me live on your money!"
She laid hand gently on his shoul-
der.
Money is absolutely of no conse-
quence to me; that part of the
arrangement would never cross my
mind. We may not love as we did,
yet think what it would mean, Aus
tin! l should have the husband /
would have chosen-you-,some of
your dreams realized. Every thing
that hes at a rich mans hands will
be yours-you can leave this narrow
life forever!"
He did not speak. The suddenness