Middletown transcript., 1902-11-29

tones that were more convincing than
weightier arguments would have been
to the one who listened
''Forgiye me. Miss Hurst," lie said,
penitently. Il deserve your contempt
for thinking even for q moment that yoll
were other than true woman. / know
now that wronged you In tlie thought;
but was blind with iealousls and dis
appointment, and did not think what
I was saying"
II thought it was not your true sell
that was speaking" she said, quietly.
II am glad that | know that ! was not
mistaken in my opinion Of you for want
to believe that ! have met at least one
true man this summer; and 7 want you
to remember only my better self-not
the unworthy spirit that ] may have
shown at times"
II shall remember You as the best and
truest of women" be said passionately.
"Oh, Alicel Are you going away with
out one word OF encouragement seeP'
holding out his watch. eve have just
ten minutes before the train comes. Will
you not say something to give me hope
in the days TO Gomez"
The girl had ayerted her face thst he
might not see the wave Of emotion which
crossed it, nor the tender look in the
violet eyes.
"Why should give you any hope
when it will only bring pain for both OF
US in the end?' she asked gently. tWhy
should we prolong this painful subject?
Would ii not be better for both to end 1t
all now?'
II can't see why it would be, unless
you cannot love me, or-can it be there
is another?"
''No, there is no one else; but, just
Think We have known each other less
than three months, and really know 90
little of one another. Then our lives
have been SO widely different that / fear
we are not suited for one another. /
have enjoyed this summer 90 much, !"
she went on before he could reply. "But
now it is over; must 60 back TO the old
life-the life that hate-a you to
your writing"
Is tso very bad-the old life, mean!'
a,s
he asked sympatiietically.
"The very worst. Oh, how hate to
go back to itl' she said passionately.
'Frhen, why should You? Oh, Alice,
why won't you let me provide you q homea
You shall haye all you desire. I will
Foolish MANI she interrupted. "You
know little Of the myriad wants Of woman,
or you would never make such rash
statement"
"Nor do care" lie replied. Il only
know that would make it the object OF
my life to make you happy"
II wonder what time it is?' she said
abruptly.
eve have but two minutes left," be
slid, consulting his watch.
''Rather, we have nearly fifteen" she
said, quietly. ''The train is late, but
had better get my travelling bag"
LET me get it for you," he volunteered,
starting toward the waiting room.
A flood Of thoughts surged through the
mind OF the girl 40 she watched him dis
appear into the depot.
eff | only knewF, she mused. "He
seems 80 manly and trustworthy. And
yet have worn the mask 10 successfully
hare that be cannot have an idea who
really am. No one but Mrs. Welton in
this quiet little place even dreams that
am other than her paid companion, so i
cannot be my fortune be is after. And
how is he to know that it is the giddy
round OF fashionable life of which | am
90 tired. Would it not be better to &C.
cept this true heart than to marry one Of
the men Of society who would probably
only care for my money!
The man hurried stQsvard her with
bEeathless haste
''The train will be here in few min.
utes," he said earnestly. "Will you moi
give me something to hope for before We
part?"
"Do you think it will make yon any
happier" she asked, answering the ques-
ton in a woman's way.
Happier? It would make me the hap
piest man in the world to know that you
cared for mep' be exclaimed passion
ately.
"But / am 80 unworthy" she said de-
precatingly.
"Then you do cars?' he said triumph
antly.
eyes, ! care" she said softly. "Bu1
do you think your love is strong enough
to Withstand the gossip, the cutting re-
marks that will be made because Of youl
marrying me-a hired companion2'
"What do care for the gossips?'' ht
asked impetuously. "What differences
does your position make to me? It i
enough for me to know that you gIorify
i it as you would any other"
''But you know nothing Of my pas
life nor Of my family" she eNobiected.
II do not care to know Of your past,
he said contentedly. 1T is sufficient 70
me to know you as you are-the best ant
truest woman in all the world. Will yol
not say yes to my pleadings, now knoy
that you care for me?''
] His passionate face Was 30 close to her
that she could feel his breath, and sh
dared not trust herself to look up.
i 81. you really wish 1t. !" she said softly
'If you believe can make you happy
n r" but the rest Of the speech wa
smothered in sudden embrace.
"Don't, pleasel'' she exclaimed, strnf
Cling out of his arms and looking aroun
in frightened way. Someone viii se
u.s."
II don't care II they do.'' be replied
II am willing the whole world shoul
know"
II ssThere 10 the trainl' she cried auddanl
as loud whistle sounded out of the gloon
! He helped her aboard and found ~