The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-05-08

long. white lids had the laughing love
illness Of a child's. One fancied the
/ full scarlet lips could be as scornful as
they were sensitiye-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
vas as much a part Of her divine
power as her beauty itself! Yes. he
was making a perfectly proper choice.
Would she be overwhelmed to be se-
leeted as the briCe Of a millionaire
10 have a palace at Newport, town
house ii London? There was charm
ing old mansion on a blue Scottish
moor be would buy for her if she fan
cied a sojourn in the land Of the
heather As for iewels--he smiled
again there All women loved jewels.
How many men could offer to the
chosen companion Of his life such rare
gems as her
But while be found himself the en-
Wed Of al men, sailing beside her
down the Adriatic-he had almost
fixed on the Adrlatic for their we'd
ding trip be used his language as the
sapient Ffenchman diyined-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 personal
triumph for us"
so good OF you to say SOL" Raymon
was nothing If not complacent. He
ought to be very much fatteredr'
A queer little look flashed at him
from under the curling dark lashes.
1T is we who are iattered, Mr. Ray
monr
His laugh was leniency itself
The extent OF your charity is only
being revealed to mel wonder If
may--if I mIght-plead for mercy for
myself"
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
went through the slight frame. A
sense OF his supremacy shook him. He
had been right thenl 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 Raymonl His
arm Slipped confidently around her
waist
The gods could give me nothing
unless you were theirs to givel"
"Ahl" she said softly. She moved
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 / have not spok-
en- hastily. l have given the matter
a weighty one as you viii admit-due
consideration" He adjusted his
monocle He wished the coachman
would drive more slowly. Il recollect
Of what I owe to my family. to my
position, to-if I may say soto my
self"
Yes" sighed tender voice. oh
yesi"
And / have made up my mind that
you are the only woman shall marry
-youi"
He could feel again the tremor OF
the slender shape near He put out
a fat little hand His touch was not
tenIatiYe by any means, It 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 engulied in his
own superb condescension-a con
descenion Of which she was awarel
Her choking voice when she spoke
proved that
And I have decided it is you-you
whom / have chosen for-my wifel"
You have" How overwhelmed |
she was. not spoken rashlyg"
My mind" he declared heroically.
'is irrevocably made upl
You are sure you will not re-
gret-"
He cut short the faltering voice
Your timidity is uncalled for, dear. l
never change my mind When shall
1t be?-confound that coachmanl
The carriage door swung back Ray
mon walked with Miss Marsh up the
steps.
Don't come I'M" she entreated |
sweetly i have an engagement And
I'm very sorry you know-and very /
grateful for the honor OF course, but
I couldn't care for vou--that way
Thank you-ever so muchi Take carei /
A frost has fallen. The steps are quite
slippery. I've had a most enjoyable
evening. Goodnight goodnight
Then. her cheeks scarlet her lips /
apart, and breathing hard she was in
the llbrary-was facing a man who
had risen from his low chair IN the
light Of the dying FIRE.
"Well2" be questioned hoarsely. He /