Rocky Ford enterprise., 1902-04-04

to hear from her own lips his doom
Until that had been pronounced hs
could not and would not believe that
she meant to cast him aside.
AZ he swung down the crowded
Strand he was suddenly aware OF q
gentle pull at his sleeve. a modest lit
tie Jerk. entirely lacking the assur-
anaes that might suggest bold seek
er after aims.
"Oh. Mr.. jack" said q quick voice
In accents Of eagerness.
An when Overton looked down
from his six feet. and saw the girls
rosy face haif.shroudcd 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 II In his own broad palm.
II he hurt her the girl gave no sign.
BLESS me. Maxette. this Is n pleas
urc now. Fancy our meeting In the
crowded streets of London. How do
you get on- Has fortune looked your
way ! hope and trust those divine
httiU hi"At"V posaaiNN ph s'cAy
bring you in fair income among
these people of your blood"
Thus he chartered on. Mazctte
looked up to the long-icgEcd. big
hearted American as prince OF men.
Secretly she adored him. but no one
ever knew that his face was the
shrine ut which the modest child OF
nature worshipped. for. like most
girls OF the present day. Maxette re-
fused to wear her heart upon her
sleeve for DAVIS to peck at.
What brings you here. Mr.. Jack!''
she asked.
Ovcrton WINGED as he remembered
the nature Of his hasty Jump from
Paris. Then he made up his mind
to unburdcn his soul. and having re-
solved to make the plunge. he started
In with nm impctuosity that startled
his dcmnrc 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 a shock. Most
certainly poor Maxcttc was cxpcricnc-
Ing one.
1t Is hard to give advice. Mr.. Jack.
She has not thrown you over yet
she said. ~
"You know Fedora no we'll. you
should be able to judge what she will
do-whcthcr or not the glitter OF gold
would tempt hcr to give up the man
Tell me truly. little friend. although
would bless you for words OF COM
fort. ktiii only desire TO know what
you bciicvc-the truth. even II II kill
me-
you must be calm. Mr. Jack. Even
though you lost Fedora. there arc
other things In the world worth living
for" she began. slowly. painfully.
lie uttered n hollow .roan.
"Ah. money Is very powerful. Mr..
lack. II makes the strongest weak.
You must not think too harshly of her
II tho temptation proves irrcalsiih.c.' ''
Already you fear the worst he
exclaimed. God help me " Il proves
to be 80. You would never condemn
the man you loved. Mascttc: sell him
for aithy lucrc.'
Thanks for your good opinion. No
one may ever know how strong they
are until the temptation has come g
she replied. steadily. but deep down in
her heart the little artis, girl was
saying over and over again: mot
for all the gold In the world. nor for
precious stones. would I sell his love
II IL were only mine"
Marcttc adroitiy changed the con-
vcrsation. and cndeavorcd TO chcc.
him up.
You must be sure. TO drop In to
sec us very soon. and take tea with
aunty," che said at length. as they
were about to separate.
II promise you.i he replied quickly
God bless you for true-hcartcd com.
radc. and may you In the years &c
come never know the agony of mind
and heart that threatens me now
Il shall enieavor to avoid that by
never allowing myself to fall In love, =
she replied. a little Historically. OF.
fcring him her hand.
What. your left hand. Mazette
Pardon me. did hurt the other. brute
that amg No. then surely you hav,
uteH a'tlutht u saw
you. else why should your arm hans
so helplessly at your side7 Tell me
is II not so7" with anxious so,icitud.
that was not at all affected.
The girl looked either vexed OF
frightened.
1T is nothing. Long ago had an
accident. and when use the arm
steadily feel 1t. or late | have beer
unusually industrious. That Is all
believe me. Mr.. Jack. You will come
-soon7" as she moved OF.
Surely" was his reply.
As Mazettc 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. OF
why this poor arm sometimes hangs
useless at my side. That is my secret
and IL shall die with me. But fear
Fedora is lost to him forever-tha'
rold has won her heart