The St. Johns herald., 1901-04-13

something, but she Gid not. ard he went on. never t>,k:ng bis eyes from her face
 ''I came Eere to ask you to be my wife. feeliEg and beiieving that you would give ne the right to think Of and love you-always. Was I wrcEg?" he continued. his breath coming quick and dry, "af5eE all that has passed between us+-to hoFe?'
 The girl looked up for an instant, but the stern gleam that shot from her companions eyes caused her to turn away. Suddenly the thing that she --4d with some bitterness and her face hardened The girls heart was mak- ing it's protest, unconsciously, but surely.
 An expression, half of amusement, came into Bainbridge's face, as he caught the strange IgEJ in her eyes, but be made no answer, and, in spite of the girls indifferent shrug, a look of annoyance crossed her face.
 A breath of wind, heavy with the fragrance of summer, futtered the ribbons of her soft gown, as she turned to him, her eyes black with sudden emotion.
 You took her to the hop-did you not?"
 Ut was by the merest chance" he answered with gesture that seemed to indicate: What else was I to do?"
 There was silence for little. Then he looked up suddenly, and said:
 T was surprised not to see you there"
 Dorothy said nothing, but shaded her eyes from the sun with one small hand and gazed idly at climbing rose at the other end of the veranda.
 He had not asked her to go, and a sort of silly pride forbade her to let him know that no one else had.
 ''I meant to come here," Bainbridge began, after a pause, ito tell you everything. I thought perhaps" he went on slowly, that you would not mind-so much. But I heard-some one told me, that you would be at the dance with Eggerton. That is the rea- son."
 The girls heart began to beat, and "a look of surprise swept the latest re- sentiment from her face
 Something in the mans tone, in the earnestness of his manner, forced shis sincerity upon her, and she half relented.
 But the die was cast, and there was no going back now. She caught her breath; and the wave of tenderness that overwhelmed her for minute was quickly crushed down.
 Dorothy drew a deep breath There was a pause. Presently she spoke.
 "No one asked me to go to the hop.' she said, determined to let him know everything now. ''I knew you were there with her, and l thought, of course, you didn't care about me"
 Her heart was throbbing painfully, as she went on, unsteadily: And now since l am going to marry some one else don't see the use of talking any more about it."
 "I suppose not" Bainbridge re- turned, coldly, reaching for his hat. "Good-by."
 The careless tone made her heart sink. She could not let him go like that
 'Harry!"
 He turned back.
 Cant we be friends?"
 He gazed at her fxedly for a mo- ment and an ominous cloud gathered on his brow.
 "No, think not"
 A giimmer of disappointment passed over the girls face
 Do you mean" she asked, locking her hands tightly over each other, while look of hurt surprise appeared on her face, that we are to be stran- gers?"
 ''I mean" he answered. slowly, in a voice in which pain mingled with pas sion, that it will be everything, or nothing. I shall always love you, and I cannot pretend to friendship which 1 do not feel"
 He paused for an instant and looked straight into the girls eyes. Tt is better" he said, calmly, ito be an enemy than hypocrIte"
 Something in his voice awed her into, silence. The sun had begun to set and great patches of gold fell on the mans face, now white and deter mined-a face that brooked no com promise.
 Suddenly he came close to her and, stopping, pressed his lips to her white forehead.
 She shot a quick glance into his eyes and the warm color died her face scarlet.
 Tt is for the last time," he said, tremulously, and was gone,
 There were tears in the girls eyes the white lids quivered, and her lips trembled. Broken down by the vio- lence of her emotions, she turned and hurried into the room, to be alone with her misery.
 In sort of desperation she threw glance toward the table.
 The letter! It had not been posted! Her breath came in quick, sharp gasps.
 In the moment that followed, she realized everything and did not hesi- tate.
 The next instant she was back on the veranda, deeper color in her cheeks, and a radiant light in her eyes.
 She cast one sweeping glance at the retreating figure. Bainbridge was al- most at the gate, and not 30 feet away, coming directly toward him, handsome and smiling, Adelaide Hunt. "Harry!" Dorothy's voice was clear and firm, and there was new thrill in it.
 He turned, a little coldly, and looked back inquiringly.