Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1902-02-20


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 a
gentle pull at his sleeve, a modest lit
tie jerk, entirely lacking the assur-
ances that might suggest bold seek
er after aims.
"Oh, Mr.. Jack!" said quick voice
in accents of eagerness.
An when Overton looked down
from his six feet. and saw the girls
rosy face half shrouded in blue hood,
he experienced such genuine pleasure
that the haunted. devil-may-care ex-
preston gave way to glow Of sim
cere satisfaction as he caught the
hand she had laid on his own and
squeezed 1t in his own broad palm.
II 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 dc
you get on? Has fortune looked your
way? l 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 shock. Most
certainly poor Mazette was experience
ing one.
1T 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 II 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 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 II 1t 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 ever and over again: mot
Cor all the gold in the world. nor for
precious stones. would l sell his love
II II were only mine"
Mazette adroitly 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.
81 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
that am? No. then surely you have
been in an accident since last / saw
you. else why should your arm hang
so helplessly at your side? Tell me,
is It not SOL" with anxious solicitude
that was not at all affected.
The girl looked either yexed or
frightened.
1T is nothing. Long ago had an
accident. and when use the arm
steadily l feel it. OF late have been
unusually Industrious. That Is all,
believe me. Mr.. Jack. You will come
-soon?" as she moved OFF.
Surely" was his reply.
AS Mazette hurried on, her heart
throbbing with conflicting emotions.
she was saying to herself. almost hys-
terically: HE must never, never
know what a weak little fool am, or
why this poor arm sometimes hangs
useless at my side. That is my secret,
and 1t shall die with me. But fear
Fedora is lost to him forever-that
gold has won her heart"