The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-03

seemed to me. They are ali car hay e
now. You belong to Leonard I viii
keep the lrtters."
Then / sew that Melinda was getting
! frightened. She was really crying now,
and / knew that immediate flight was the
only thing for me. With Melinda happy
and smiling / could be stern ana unyield-
ing, but knew too well the power Of Ne
linda in tears.
''Good-by," / said. In tone OF gentle
melancholy. and rode away, leaving her
weeping pitifuIiy by the roadside.
That night I dined with Melinda's uncle.
the rector, and Melinda and her Leonard
were there.
She had sweet little voice and relied
for effect ON many small tricks Of express
sion: and Leonard. who was big and bald
and jolly, would listen to her by the hour
with an expression OF rapt ecstasy. She
sang the Tin Geegce which seemed to
me under the circumstances, 20 be pecu-
liarly appropriate.
Presently about o'clock Melinda rose
to go. She had a bad headache, and would
be so glad II dear auntie would excuse her.
Il am awfully tired, auntie.' she said
q hope everybody won't think 1 am very
mustn't come with me. II is only run
across the orchard. and ! can slip through
the side gate in the kitchen garden and
be In the house in five minutes
Melinda crossed the room To me and
/ held out her hand. Her face was almost
as white as her dress. ana when ] took her
hand found that it was burning.
Goodnight she said, and I noticed
that for once she had forgotten the ire
sistible smile; Il suppose you won't he
going YETI"
She spoke in a low voice, and stared
Surely she didn't mean
Il am going by the gate in the orchard -
she went on, recklessly. with her eyes on
the ground, and was Speechless.
You ought to know it, she said. rather
sadly
1 could hardly believe my ears. II could
not be possible that she meant ~ ask me
TO meet her there. Even Melinda could
not behave so badly 50 very soon .
And then | remembered the letters. or
course she only wanted TO make another
attempt to regain that telltale packet
1 let her hand fall had forgotten for
the moment that l was holding it. It was
from force of habit. | suppose.
Yes. ] said II ought to know til did
once But ! have forgotten il now. Per
haps Leonard Crewe knows IT better. You
might ask him
Again those violet yes filed with tears
How can you he 50 unkind?" she whis-
pered. Goodnight. Then you won't be
going for long time yet. / suppose"
Probably not" said. calmly. and with
a last glance Of wistful appeal Melinda
went into the hall, 10 he carefully cloaked
by the devoted Leonard | heard his bois-
ferrous voice for at least five minutes beg
ging TO be allowed to take her home. bur
rs usual Melinda triumphed. for he came
back presently with Il glum look on rs
jolly face.
Melinda seems pretty well knocked up ."
he remarked, gloomily.
she hasn't looked al all we'll the last
week or two. said the rector. I'm afraid
the poor child has rather tough time of II
al home"
nv heart prlcked me PERHAPS 7 had
been too harsh. Melinda had behaved very
badly TO me-she WAS an inconstant and
mercenary little hirt but all the same. |
loved her better than anyone else in the
nj
prevent her from being really unhappy
Come and have IA game of solo" said
the rector.
We played 4 game or two. but nv
thoughts were M on the game VS. IL
possible that Melinda was sill waiting AT
The. gate? felt that at all costs l must 20
and see.
I'm afraid you must excuse me-"