The Republican journal., 1901-05-09
worth nothing" This was trne in
more senses than one.
T oh i,

L L
ample time for reflection during the
long hours before morning, and soon
made up my mind what to do. 1t SEEM
ed to me that owed duty to myself.
l had resolved, much against my will,
! to be generous to Melinda, but she had
forestalled me with little plan of her
i own. "Now,' said to myself, 81 shall
play for my own hand"
walked boldly up to the Red House
and asked for Melinda. | noticed as l
went through the hall that the linoleum
was worn threadbare, and that the stair
carpets were in the same wOful plight
otherwise the place was much as it had
| been two years ago. Melinda's twin
sisters met me IN the hall. They were
seventeen, and almost as pretty as she
was herself. Margaret was surprised
to see me, and held out plump, un-
willing hand.
"Jobn" she cried 'You?"
'Yes," said l, sit is John. You
needn't try to hide the extreme pleasure
you feel at my presence. [ quite under
stand your feelings. Will you tell Me-
linda that | wish to see her alone?"
Margaret gathered her scattered
wits.
Melinda is out" she said sweetly,
and my heart sank. l am afraid | was
longing for the fray. l turned to go,
but was wise enough at this moment
to look over my head Melinda was
hanging over the banisters, listening
with evident interest to our lively CON
versatiOn.
Il think you must be mistaken" 1
murmured, politely. melinda is just
coming down.
ho ID x,,tth ho,, nd
burning cheeks, and after short but
alone with her in the dilapidated old
schoolroom l shut the door and cross
ed to where she stood by the window.
81 congratulate you on your success"
l said.
Melinda evidently expected more.
'What-what do you mean?" she fal-
tered. What success?''
l smiled. "You success in getting rid
of your headache, of course You look
wonderfully well this morning.
She didn't quite understand whether
she was safe or not. She looked up in
quiringly. Had l found out yet? Did
l suspect? She didn't venture to speak,
but she turned on the irresistible smile.
lam glad you are quite WE'LL" l said
| coolly, ''for l am afraid you will find
what have to say little trying. You
had better sit down."
Melinda looked frightened. She seat
ed herself on the arm of the big. un-
tidy sofa, and kicked nervously at the
floor. She had small feet and always
wore such pretty shoes!
Listen to me- said gravely. BE
fore we leave this room we have got to
come to terms
She groaned. Il know you're going
to be horrid,' she said, nervously roll
ing and unrolling sheet of music she
held in her hand.
something. l pulled the last page of
the 'Tin Gee-Gee' out of my pocket
and handed it to her.
Il think that is your property" l
said.
The scarlet of her cheeks faded, and
she stared at me with wide-open eyes,
where did you find it?' she asked.
81 will tell you that later on. First
of all, Melinda, do you think you have
treated me well?"
Il couldn't help it," she murmured.
you know it wasn't me-"
perhaps not" | said. cat any rate,
you cannot deny that you have broken
your promise, and for anything you
know to the contrary, ruined my life
Il did it for the sake of the Others"
she whispered, in voice that was al
most inaudible.
4 don't believe it," I said calmly.
Il don't believe it. You have never
thought of any one but yourself all
your life. It's no good coming the
noble, self-sacrificing motive over me,
Melinda, because it 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 big
house, with lot of servents to boss
over, and partly because you are always
influenced by the person who is nearest
to you. l ought to have known you
were as weak as water. You have
made jolly mess of mans life, and
yet you can be perfectly happy and
comfortablev'
Melinda sighed. "There never was a
more unhappy girl than me" she said.
l laughed. "That's all nonsense.
You are as pleased as you can be be-
cause two men are making themselves
miserable about you. don't know why
we do-you certainly are not worth it.
l wish to heaven you weren't SO con-
foundedly pretty!"
This encouraged Melinda to try the
smile.
$50 you still think me pretty, do
you?" she said softly.
Pretty? l groaned inwardly, for l
knew that, however plainly saw Me-
linda's faults, and however disgusted l
was with her behavior, there was no
mistaking the fact that l was more in
love with her than ever. Pretty! :.
Besides" she went on, "you are
mistaken. There is only one man mis-
cradle about me, and that is you. Leon
ard isn't miserable. He is very happy,
as indeed he ought to be-"
"Yes,'' / said, grimly, he ought in
deed! :. But he won't be for long"
Poor Melinda! The thunderbolt had
fallen at last.
"You-you," she gasped; you are 60
ing to tell him?"
"Yes,' said I, ''I am, unless
"Unless what?" eagerly snatching at
any chance.
"Unless'' i spoke very slowly-''un-
less you break off the engagement and
marry me-
Melinda gasped.
'John,' she cried, you are mad
Marry you? . after all this?'
Yes" said, trying to speak with a
-. T I 9@~ II Et,o~o T