River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1902-03-20

eyes"
"At Lady Maxwell's ball."
She inclined her head.
GIVE been travelling downhill a bit
since then, you perceived
'Is it $3.50 bad as all that?' she
inquired, with an infection of anX-
iety.
Eyes. have nearly reached the
end; / am quite candid, you see-I
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 hardup."
her voice faltered.
81 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 me?"
Yes
Bellairs gave curious laugh.
"How monosyllabic you. are!" he OBJ
served. "You used not to be-" he
added.
81 have not quite recovered from
the shock of-of-"
Discovering your old admirer in
this somewhat undignified plight?
No wonder! I was rather a smart
chap once But that's all over since
since Well, what is the use of
whining? I did not want to see you,
Eleanor. / never wished to see you
again. You cannot be surprised, I
think
81 suppose I should have no right
to be-"
81 suppose not. Under the circum-
stances it is, perhaps, less surprising
still. The world is a funny place. One
night a ball room, the next London
bridge. A ding-dong affair, and even
the best go under sometimes, you
know. I never myself laid claim to
the distinction of being considered
one of the best-or even the, second
BEST" he added candidly. 81 fear /
crush your slxirt?'
He moved ostentatiously a little
further from her.
DON'T" she murmured.
Is 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 over! am quite
brutally matter of fact. don't mind
telling you that 1 am hungry. If that
doesn't make you despise mel give
it up!'
The girl stifed something that
seemed like little sob.
Hungry! Oh, Capt. Bellairs!"
Kindly drop the captain, please.
[ am no longer credit to the serv-
ice,'' he said, almost roughly. BE
sides, hate anything in the shape of
pity"
'And you have quite forgotten the
the old days?" she murmured.
eyes. 1t doesn't do to remember
them-when man is down to bed
rock. Then you are not yet mar
ried?"
one SIdIbSu SIlS l1l1ys
''No."
''Nor engaged? I take the liberty
of an old acquaintance, you see."
Nor engaged" she said slowly.
Bellairs looked at her.
"That is strange!" he remarked;
''for, pom my soul, Miss Nugent, [
never saw prettier girl"
"You have not forgotten how to
fatter, at any rate!" she replied, with
nervous laugh.
81 didn't mean it as fattery; but
you remember the occasion of our
parting?'
'sYes-I remember it"
81 asked you to marry me. You re-
fused. You were wise," he added,
smiling bitterly. ga girl should new
er marry man she does not care for"
''It was not that
| Bellairs turned suddenly.
"Not that?'' he repeated.
ST couldn't. I-you' she fall
tered and stopped, confused. There
was a moments silence. Bellairs'
eyes were fixed strangely on her face.
What do you mean?" he said, in a
hard tone.
''Weil, surely you lnow!" she an
swered, appealingly. 1T was impos-
sible. You were 500 poor!" she
gulped at the word.
The hanson turned corner sharp
ly and grazed curbstone with a jolt.
Bellairs' arm touched hers. His hand
closed suddenly on her wrist.
] "Then you-you cared for me all