The Press., 1902-12-04

only certain sharp self interest as the animating principle within. She had yellow hair and wide blue eyes with dark lashes. They surely were remarkable eyes, possessed of a fasci- nation that, in my own case at least, could never rise above the level of curiosity. With Graden. however, it amounted to hypnotism,. and think he never saw Muriel at all-only her eyes.
 \ The worst part of the whole affair
 perhaps was the chance that it would
 break Constance Hamlin's heart. She
 loved Graden, but she was not the sort
 of girl to tell anybody about it. She
 lived her life as she had always lived
 it, cheerfully and sweetly, and she met
 Graden with a smile and with a well
 come whenever they were brought to-
 gether.
 | Muriel took her triumph with a mock
 humility worse than any arrogance ever saw. The key of the scene was, How can you love poor little meY
 And she played 1t to the gallery. We were expecting an announcement of the engagement in the full conf ! dence that the persons concerned had come to an understanding when busi- ness suddenly called Graden away to Chicago. He was gone about fort night, and Muriel received a fat letter
 from him every day. When he came back, he was very much occupied with
 business affairs.
 Muriel during this period called quite often at the office of the Graden estate,
 where Arthur's room, which had door
 upon the street. had long been a ren-
 dezvous for all of us. to the harm of
 his pecuniary affairs sometimes, I've
 no doubt.
 One day when Muriel called there
 Graden was out. and the girl remained
 alone in the private room for half an
 hour or more. When Graden entered,
 she was seated before his desk, and
 her handkerchief was pressed against
 her eyes. which, as she turned them
 toward him. he perceived to be red
 dened by weeping.
 | "Muriel! he exclaimed. springing
 forward. What is the matter?' She flung out her hands with ges-
 ture that means repnlsion in any good
 school of elocution. Then she shook
 her head slowly and sadly. and. having half risen. she sank back again into her chair.
 'I trusted you so completelyw she
 cried. Il was so sure of your t;raden shook himself. as if to drive away dream
 .'I don't understand" he said
 The yellow haired doll laid her hand
 upon d very small packet of letters
 from which the cord was loosened. Up- on the top there seemed to be two let
 ters that were not in their envelopes.
 and another was open on the table. You have been reading thoseY' said
 Graden in peculiar. strained tone.
 Why did you do it:"
 Muriel was somewhat alarmed; but,
 having begun d jealousy scene. she felt | that it must be played through. Il was going to write note to you" she said. wiping an imaginary tear from the corner of her large blue eye. "and these things were in the pigeon hole with the envelopes. Arthur, I can't believe itr'
 Graden took three hasty steps for ward and bent over her shoulder, his eyes upon the open letter. Then he walked slowly to the other side of the room and finally sat down upon the
 arm of a large chair. His face must have been a study of grief. You read that?" he asked. "Well, what did you think of it?'' ''She is a silly girl,'' she said, s'but she loves you, just as another silly girl loves you, because she can't help it." "She loves meY' repeated Graden. Why do you think so?'' Muriel opened her eyes very wide. "Why do I think so'' she demanded "Lis.en to this"
 And she read from the letter:
 "T do not remember faces readily, and yet l can see yours whenever shut my eyes. It is loves best blessing that when one loves one is never alone again. Distance cannot rob me of you, and think that neither time nor eter- nifty can do 1t. but that shall always see your face while this world lasts, and your soul with the eyes of mine forever
 ~ call that pretty sick," added Mu.