Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1902-01-16
CHAPTER II.

| ibh mEE llNG YIN ltE SIhAND.
Jack lost not a second in capturing
the bit of pasteboard. 1t was simply
a carte de visite, and gave the address
or her grandfather's city house.
Overton made up his mind that
come what would that night should
see him at the address she had given,
to hear from her own lips his doom.
Until that had been pronounced he
could not and would not believe that
she meant to cast him aside.
AS he swung down the crowded
Strand he was suddenly aware of
gentle pull at his sleeve, modest lit
tie jerk. entirely lacking the assur-
ances that might suggest a bold seek
er after aims,
"oh, Mr.. Jack" said quick voice
in accents of eagerness.
An when Overton looked down
from his elk feet, and saw the girls
rosy race half shrouded in a blue hood,
ne experienced such genuine pleasure
lat the haunted, devil-may- ex-
/ preston gave way TO a glow of sin
cere satisfaction as he caught the
hand she had laid on his own and
If he hurt her the girl gave no sign.
"Bless me, Mazette, this is a pleas
ure now. Fancy our meeting in the
crowded streets of London. How do
you get onP Has fortune looked your
/ way? I hope and trust those divine
little miniature portraits on ivory
bring you in a fair income among
these people of your blood"
Thus he chartered on. Mazette
looked up to the long-legged big
hearted American as a prince Of men.
Secretly she adored him, but no one
ever knew that his face was the
shrine at which the modest child of
nature worshipped, for, like most
girls of the present day, Mazette re-
fused to wear her heart upon her
sleeve for davis to peck at.
What brings you here, Mr.. Jack?"
she asked.
Overton WINGED as he remembered
the nature of his hasty jump from
Paris. Then he made up his mind
TO unburden his soul, and having re-
solved to make the plunge, he started
in with an impetuosity that startled
his demure little companion.
II Jack had been able to look under
that blue hood while he poured out
his passionate story he might have
received something OF a shock. Most
certainly poor Mazette was experience
ing one.
ut is hard to give advice, Mr.. Jack.
She has not thrown you over yet"
she said.
"You know Fedora so well, you
should be able to judge what she will
do-whether or not the glitter Of gold
would tempt her to give up the man
to whom she swore deathless fealty.
Tell me truly, little friend, although
| would bless you for words of COM
fort, still only desire to know what
you believe-the truth, even If it kill
me"
You must be calm, Mr.. Jack. Even
though you lost Fedora, there are
other things in the world worth living
for" she began, slowly painfully.
He uttered a hollow groan.
"Ah, money is very powerful, Mr..
Jack 1t makes the strongest weak.
You must not think too harshly of her
If the temptation proves irresistible"
Already you fear the worst" he
exclaimed God help me IL il proves
to be so. You would never condemn
the man you loved, Mazette; sell him
for filthy lucre."
Thanks for your good opinion. No
one may ever know how strong they
are until the temptation has come, -
she replied, steadily, but deep down in
her heart the little artist girl was
saying over and over again: Not
for all the gold in the world, nor for
precious stones, would / sell his love
If it were only mine"
Mazette adrotly changed the con-
versation and endeavored to cheer
him up.
you must be sure to drop in to
see us very soon, and take tea with
aunty," she said at length, as they
were about to separate.
II promise YOU" he replied quickly.
God bless you for true-hearted COM
rade, and may you in the years to
come never know the agony of mind
and heart that threatens me now"
Il shall endeavor to avoid that by
never allowing myself to fall In love, -
she replied little Historically, Of
fering him her hand.
What, your left hand, Mazette
Pardon me, did hurt the other, brute
hot n he,
been in an accident since last l saw
you, else why should your arm hang
so helplessly at your side? Tell me
is IL not SOP" with anxious solicitude
: that was not at all affected.
} The girl looked either vexed OF
: frightened.
; ut is nothing. Long ago ! had an
accident, and when / use the arm
steadily feel IL. or late 7 have been
| tnucualIv nd That O. oil