The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1902-03-21

since we met last and-parted."
"Yes."
AT Lady Maxwells ball"
She inclined her head.
"I'vc been travelling downhill a bit
since then, you percei,e.
us it $3.50 bad as all that?' she
inquired with an infection of anx-
icty.
Eyes. / have nearly reached the
end; / am quite candid, you see--l
have got beyond the stage of false
pride, otherwise. should not be sit
ting here. beside you. in this rig-out.
And-to be candid do not know
why I am sitting here"
"You look most awfully hard-up."
her voice faltercd.
II look what am. But had you not
better stop the hanson and LET me
get out before we reach the West
End?"
| "No-not yet"
| He raised his eyebrows.
"You wanted to speak to mc?"
| Eyes"
Bellairs gave n curious laugh.
"How monosyllabic you are." he OBJ
served. "You used not to be-" he
added.
III have not quite recovered from
| the shock of--of--"
discovering your old admirer in
this somewhat undignified plight?
No wonder. | was rather a smart
chap once. But that's all over since
since Well. what is the use of
whining? ] did not want to see you,
Eleanor. never wished 10 see you
again. You cannot be surprised, l
think"
II suppose / should have no right
to be-"
II suppose not. Under the circum-
stances it is. perhaps. less surprising
still. The world is funny place. One
night a ball room. the next London
bridge. A ding-dong affair. and even
the best go under sometimes, yon
know. I never myself laid claim TO
the distinction of being considered
one of the best-or even the second
best" he added candidly. Il fear !
crush your skirt
He moved ostentatiously . little
further from her.
DON'T" she murmured.
II cannot conceive why you asked
me to get in here" he exclaimed i'm
patiently. 81 am no longer a fit play
thing for a dainty miss My ball
room days are Overt ! am quite
brutally matter of fact. don't mind
telling you that / am hungry. IL that
: doesn't make YOU despise mel give
ii up
The girl stifcd something that
seemed like little sob.
hungry! Oh. Capt. Bellairs'"
"Kindly drop the captain please
, I am no longer credit to the scrv.
Ice" he said. almost roughly. BE
E sides, I hate anything in the shape OF
pity"
e "And you have quite forgotten the
g the old days?" she murmnred.
4 Eyes. 1t doesn't do to remember
them-whcn man is down to bed
rock. Then you are not yet mar
:, ried?"
: She started slightly.
e "No."
{ "Nor engaged? take the liberty
e OF an old acquaintance. you see
r "Nor engaged" she said slowly.
d Bellairs looked at her.
"That is STRANGE" he remarked
f. for. pom my soul, Miss Nugent,
d never saw a prcttier girl"
r "You have not forgotten how t.
II fattcr, at any rate" she replied, Will
Is a nervous laugh.
g IL didn't mean il as fattcry: bu
r Won remember the occasion of on
It parting?'
"Yes-I remember it,
K 81 asked you 10 marry me- You re
fused. You were WISE" he added
&c smiling bitterly. "A girl should ne'
" er marry a man she does not care TOT.
,e ut was not that"
10 Ecllairs turned suddenly.
81 "Not that?" he repeated.
d al couldn't. I-you---" she IA
tered and stopped, confused. Their
was moments silence. beiiair'
nc ewes were fixed strangely on her face
n .What do you mcan?" he said, in
hard tone.
n .Well. surely you know she al
swcred, appealingly. 1t was--,mpo
= s;blc. You were $3.50 poor! 81
he gulped at the word.
The hanson turned corner sharl
IA. ~ and grazcd i. curbstone with u Joi
nd Bellirs' arm touched hers. His han
closed suddenly on her wrist.
Ii .Thcn you--you cared for me