The Lamar register., 1902-08-13

He worked like Trojan, for the
cries that came from the lips of fright
ened women gave him the impression
that the catastrophe might be even
more serious than rs yet appeared.
Among the women was one who
seemed more deeply interested in
watching the quick. nervous actions of
young Merrick than in lamenting the
loss of her flnery, as some of the other
damsels were doing.
This self-possessed young person
was petite in figure, and wholly angel
ic in appearance--in fact. she was no
other than the girl froD the Trans
vaal. the owner of unnumbered dia-
| mond mines. Little Miss Millions.
| OF course Merrick was doing his best
to make the ladies comfortable.
He invaded a carriage. secured all
he could, and having lugged 1t to the
fire. demanded an owner. who eagerly
put in claim.
All was proceeding well when for
the first time he set eyes upon the face
of Constance Dare.
AS before, when he had seen her in
the Parisiain carriage. her appearance
gave him a shock. for he stood quite
still, holding his breath, and passing
one hand over his forehead as though
! in doubt whether he were really awake
or dreaming.
Then he was thrilled by the con-
seriousness that her eyes searching
about hither and yon for something.
had become fastened on him.
She raised her hand as If involun-
| tariIy-chp a bpckoupd aaparly that he
approach, and as one in dream Mark
Merrick walked on to his fate-he
could not have had the power to re-
fuse even though sure destruction lay
under his feet For Love is mightier
than cold Reason, and there was that
in his past to warrant blind obedience
when that little hand bade him nc
longer hold back.
Once he started Merrick's reluctance
vanished. and the blank look of
amaZement upon his face also gave
way to eagerness.
And so he came to where she stood.
this girl. who had once before been
such factor in the molding of his
life.
Constance had extended little hand
he did not see it. SO eagerly were his
eyes drinking in every well remember
ed lineament of her features. with the
mocking memories they stirred into
life dancing before him.
She smiled now. smiled with pleas
ure, and the rosy flush had crept down
to her very neck.
"Mark-Mr. Merrick-how strange
that we should meet again and under
such stormy conditions. 1t seems
fated that we can only come together
under the shadow of danger"
Mark found his voice-and her
hand.
Dear Heaven, but | am glad to see
you, Constance. You come to me as
one from the dead. l have mourned
you as gone from this world. and
even now | have hard work to believe
my Senses" he said. pressing her hand
in both his own.
"You are little glad them" she
asked
"Glad-I am-well, never mind what
my condition of mind is. You can
surely judge of it by the look in my
eyes. God be praised for sparing you.
1t Is wonderful marvellous even.
|
| pened."
This is neither the time nor place
for an explanation. nor am l wholly
sure in my mind that you will care
very much to hear what wonderful
things have happened to me since that
day." she said
\ Merrick was quick to reafIlrm his
eager desire to hear her story.
"Only when you are ready. Con-
stance. AS you say, the time and
place are neither of them propitious.
Just now l am only too glad to know
you are alive and well. and still Con-
| stance Dare"
There was a significance in these
last words that did not fail to catch
her attention.
What did he mean?
Had he believed she preferred some
other 10 himself. and that whether
living or dead she was lost to him?
(To be contlnued.)