The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-11-19
again, this time directing his steps
toward the Murdocks' home.
CHAPTER XIV.
TWO LOVERS.

SSlS oNS1 lAC heNS
when servant knocked at the door.
"a gintleman to see yer, miss" said
the maid.
"a caller!" exclaimed Agnes, in sur
prise. "At this time of day? Did he
give you his card?"
NO, miss. Nor his name, nayther."
well, then, Mary" said Agnes, with
a mixture of amusement and severity,
why do you announce him? l think
you would better keep an eye on the
hatrack.'
HE amt no thafe, MISS" said the
maid. positively; ''he do be dressed up
too foine fur that. Besoides, Olive sane
him here before. \ hansum young
Teller wild rid Observation-Disclosures
Cha-Chapman.
"Chatham!" suggested Agnes, with
sudden seriousness.
1is, miss; 1t do be the same"
II cannot receive him." said Miss
Murdoch, in frigid tones. 81 am sur
prised that John should have admitted
him, after the explicit instructions |
gave him yesterday. Hereafter I am
never at home to Mr.. Chatham
Your butler is not at fault in this
instance" said a voice from the hall
way. and before either of the women
could recover from her surprise, a
flashily dressed young man with in
tensely red hair entered the room. He
carried his left arm i'll sling. His
face was pale; his eyes glittered with
feverish light; his voice quivered
with repressed excitement.
II was waiting for your father in
his office, when l heard your maid go
by, and ! asked her to announce me.
l hoped for, but l can hardly say 1
expected, more hospitable recep-
ton"
Miss Murdoch. after the first shock
of surprise, had drawn up her grace
full figure to its full height, and stood
looking at the young man with undis-
guised contempt in her flashing eyes.
Chatham paused as if expecting a
reply; and then:
Shall | explain the object of my
visit before your servant?" he asked,
bitterly.
you may leave, Mary, until 1 ring
for you," said the young girl, turning
to the maid.
The woman reluctantly left the
room, casting curious glances upon
her young mistress and her unwel-
come guest as she went.
Chatham made motion as if to
take chair; but Agnes remained sig
nificantly standing.
Perhaps" she said, coldly, 'you
will be good enough to explain as
briefly as possible your object in fore
ing your presence upon me in this I'M
gentlemanly way?"
II suppose my conduct does strike
you as ungentlemanly," said the
young man, piteously; "but what could
l do? I love you devotedly, madly,
and you will not allow me even to
tell you so. You instruct your serv-
ants to turn me away from the door
like beggar. Is it crime to love
you?''
''No, Mr.. Chatham" said the girl,
more gently, lit is not a crime to love
d
blunder to adopt the method you have
selected of showing your affection,
and it is certainly not generous to
force it upon her as you are doing"
What else can l do?" he repeated,
doggedly. Here am l suddenly
obliged to leave New York for long
time-perhaps forcver-and unable to
get single word With you. l called
yesterday morning and was informed
that you were at that artist fellows
studio. Then wrote you letter
asking for an interview, and | left it
there for YOU myself. The only notice
you took of it was to give instructions
to your butler not to admit me if
called again. | cannot go away like
that. without a ray of hope to tighten
my exile. and to leave you here sur
rounded by a lot of men who are
anxious to marry YOU
The tender-hearted girl felt grow
ing pity for the awkward and vulgar
young man in whom she began vague
ly to discern a genuine suffering.
Il am sorry Mr.. Chatham" she
said more sorry than can say.
But what can | do? | do not care
for you in the way you wish, and af-
lection is not to be coerced. ] have
done the best | could to discourage
you, because
Il know you have interrupted
Chatham; you have avoided me, and
snubbed me- and taken every way you
could to show that you do not like
me-"
cit would have been mistaken kind
ness TO do otherwise" said Agnes,
gently.
mo, it wouldn't exclaimed the ac-
countant; 81 don't ask you to love
me; not at once, at any rate. But
give me a show: give me time; give
me a little hope"
81 cannot do that said the girl, in
low tone.
"Why can't you?" urged the young
man eNcitedly. Il have sacrificed ev-
erything for you; / have given up all |
had; l have lost my position; l have
risked my life