The Press., 1902-06-05

"oH. IT'S GOING INTO THE wATERl SAVE
 IT! SAVE IT" was quite ecstatic as she cried, ooh, I do love the parkv'
 "So do in summer"
 "But now, when the breath of spring is in the air.''
 More winter than spring in this air." he retorted grimly. "There is lot of ice still in these sheltered walks. so do let me help you"
 But she refused his proffered hand and stepped daintily along. She even hummed a fragment of gay dance tune. Evidently her spirits were ris- ing in proportion as his fell. Overhead the bare branches creaked and sighed. Underfoot the walk looked treacherous enough in the fitful glimmer of the gas lamps.
 Now came a bit of incline. She start ed down recklessly. with challenging look at her silent escort. Lets see who gets to the bottom first"
 But on the instant her foot caught on bit of gravel. She swayed and would have fallen if his ready hand had not steadied her. The effort, however. de stroyed his own equilibrium. Down, down rolled the dignified MT. Voight to the bottom of the slide. His high silk hat rolled even faster in an exploring expedition toward the little brook that ran alongside the path.
 The girl clasped her hands tragically. 'Oh, it is going into the water! Save it! Save itv Then she burst out laugh ing.
 MT. Voight raised himself stifly and went in chase of the hat.
 When he brought it back. she was still laughing.
 "T am glad that I afforded you so much amusement" His tone was very freezing. And am happy to tell you that the hat has escaped injury. Your anxiety about it was quite remarkable. As for my injuries -oh, that is mat ter of no consequence to you evident ly."
 Her laughter had died away, and she bent toward him contriteiy. Forgive my laughing! If you could only have seen how funny you looked! Another paroxysm was threatened, but she steadied her voice as she caught sight of his face. "But you are not hurt, are you? Just let me brush you off, and you will be all right, Will"
 "Will' refused to be placated. He had been laughed at, and ridicule pierces to the innermost core of a mans being.
 Don't pretend an interest you have just shown conclusively you do not feel. I am quite ready to resume our walk-homeward." And he turned and began to ascend the incline.
 The girl was glad that the friendly darkness hid her involuntary expres- sion of pained surprise. William the meek. William the long suffering. had rebelled. She had teased him and played with him. This. then. was the last straw.
 Then a wave of indignation flooded over her. How rude he was, how un- kind! She stood still and gazed at the tall figure hurrying up the slope. How could he treat her so? She would go home alone. But the park was very dark and silent A cold tremor seized her. She was afraid.
 With most undignified haste she hur- ried after and caught up with him. panting. A glance at him brought back her courage. His bearing was any thing but victorious.
 Her tone matched his own as she said: 'T cannot go home alone. We need not have any further conversa- ton, however, and won't trouble you again."
 Voight winced visibly at her words. There were signs of yielding as he re piled, You know that l am always glad to do things for you."
 Miss Manners laughed bitterly. "And yet you were going to leave me alone just now. It wasn't kind, wasn't gentlemanly, thing to do."
 His anger famed up again. 'I could not endure your mockery. It simply showed that I had been mistaken all along; that you did not care for me; had been only playing with me-"
 Her voice was low and vibrant as she retorted: That is why I was rest less tonight, why I have been restless for many days. l was trying to make up my mind whether I really loved you. You have helped me to solve the question. can give you the answer now. It is No"
 He was too stunned to speak, and so they hurried on in silence An angry spot of color burned in the girls cheeks, but the darkness hid this as well. es