Middletown transcript., 1903-09-12


life Hilda felt embarrassed ant
nervous-as if she dared no
raise her eyes to his lest the!
should betray the new -swee
happiness which all at once hat
flowed into her heart. She wa!
conscious, too-although M
words had passed between then
that he knew that her pride
had broken down, and that the
victory was his at last. The
light in his eyes and the smile oi
quiet triumph on his lips told hel
this, and she scarcely knew
whether to be glad or sorry.
I must go back 49, Miss West
will be tired, she declared at last
and rose. Paul offered her his
arm in silence and escorted her
back to the ball room.
The evening was over at last,
and Hilda-who h ad slipped
quietly out of the room while her
cousin was saying Goodnight
to his hostess-was hurriedly
putting on her cloak in the hall,
hoping to escape from the house
before he noticed that she had
gone. But as she turned towards
the door a OBTAINING hand was
laid on her shoulder.
Wait a moment, Paul said, in
an authoritative tone; and Hilda,
trembling and blushing, obeyed.
Side by side, and with her
hand upon his arm, they walked
down the street to the railway
station. The frost had given q
little, and a slight shower of rain
and sleet was falling; but Hilda
was too excited and happy to
notice or be conscious of the
sloppy streets and the biting
cold. Once or twice, as she
glanced up into Paul's face and
noticed his stern pale look, she
felt half frightened in the midst
of her happiness.
The last train for Kings Cross
was due when they reached the
station, but a porter told Paul
that there had been a stoppage
on the line, and the train would
not be in for a quarter of an
hour. There were a few more
passengers on the platform, and
two or three young men who
were lounging about stared cur
iously at Hilda's pale beautiful
face and her companion. Paul
frowned as he thought that, if he
were not there, his cousin would
have been exposed to their i'm
pertinent glances alone.
How the idiots stare! Come
into the waitingroom, Hilda! he
said imperiously.
She meekly followed him into
the bare little waitingroom. The
gas was turned low, but there
was sufficient light for her to
see Paul's grave face and com
pressed lips. She had never
seen him in this mood before; she
felt afraid and nervous as he
stood before her, and glanced
timidly at him.
Perhaps you will tell me now
what this new folly means, he de-
manded, in a cold angry voice
and why you have chosen to as
sumo the role of professional
pianist? It can scarcely be for
pleasure-it cannot be from me-
eessity, for I have been assured
again and again, by both yonr
mother and yourself, that your
income is amply sufficient for
your wants. If not
But it is-at least it would be
if and Hilda paused.
If what?
If it were not for BERTHE, she
answered, in a low tone and with
downcast eyes.
The girl had intended to evade
the question, but Paul's stern
eyes were fixed on her face and
forced the truth from her against
her will.
He is extravagant; heis deeply
in debt, and I could not-I would
not after all you have done for
us-allow your generosity to be
taxed any further. And it is not
so very disagreeable after all
indeed, I feel quite proud to think
that I can earn my living SO
easily, Hilda added, with a forced
smile.
Co aoc;1uf Dronoico Y,,o that