The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1903-10-21


foot OF the gallows.
Accustomed as she was to such
things, even she was startled by the
aerce eloquence of the impassioned
words that fell from his lips.
u cannot give you what do not pos
sess," she said. coldly. withdrawing
her hand from his too ardent clasp.
Il have no heart. Don't mistake me. 3"
she added, as she noted the fierce
jealousy aroused by these words. 1T
3 not that | have bestowed ii on any
one. | have no heart to give. l don t
:hink | ever had any. Men have come
70 me, asking of me what YOU ask.
and telling me the same story. They
spoke, rs you have spoken Of feelings
and emotions which are utterly in
comprehensive to me. and in which
could not share If | would"
Young Howard turned his eyes stead
lily upon the face of the speaker; so
rarely beautiful in outline ana color
ing, but as calm and passlonlcss as
a summer lake. lie raised his hand
10 heaven. as If invoking upon her
head voiceless curse.
-'Your time will come"
The door closed upon the speaker.
but there was something in that hag.
gard face. in those dcspairlng eyes.
that haunted Isabel for some months
after.
II wonder If shall ever love?' she
murmured. as. drawing down the sofa
cushion under her head. she settled
herself for the afternoon nap with
which she usually refreshed herself
Tor the evening. Il hope not. If it Is
going to affect ne as It does most
people"
-'How very shocking
The sun had disappeared ,oh'Hi thn
Western hills. ana refreshed Ivy the
quiet sleep she Lad. Isabel stepped
ont upon the veranda when this c=-
clamatlon fell upon her car. uttered
by one of the excited group that had
gathered in ono corner of 1t.
"What is it?'
-'.ionng Howard has shot himself"
Fortunately. the gathering shades Of
twilight concealed the face that sud
denly blanched at these words. and
those present were too much absorbed
in their own feclncs OF astonisnment
and horror to notice tnc Uns;eadiness
in Isabel's voice, as she said.
What could have induced him 20 do
that?"
HE was. without question. insane"
said a grave, pompous booking man
among the group, Insanity is hcrcd-
itary in his family; his mother died
insane"
Isabel drew lorS sigh Of relief.
"Oh, that accounts for it, then"
<'Who Is he:"
Again Isabel's eyes wandered across
the room to where n plainly dressed
man was standing, rather distinguished
looking. and yet no. sufficiently so TO
warrant the attention ard interest lr
seemed TO excite
There was nm unmiStakablc H;r Of
triumph in Ms. Faac's manner, as she
replied:
la! my dcar, don't you know? It's
n iurlce Dudley, the new arrival. SO
charming, and yet such an Oddity.
Half the women are crazy after him.
though it's easily seen that he doesn't
care for thcm. And he doesn't mind
their knowing 1t, either. What do yor
think he said TO Mrs. Kinds. the other
cVcrins when she offered to intro
duce him to you-'ihc relgning belle
as she called you:"
Isabel saw and felt the malice that
,urled beneath those smooth, dulcct
words
low should know" she said,
with an air of Indifference that was
ici"ned. ms Mrs Fame well knew.
"'Tvc no especial liking for relcnlng
bellies he said, as grand as the Grand
Mogul himself. Wasn't that an odd
speech, my dear:'
Il SUPPOSE he meant II 10 be odd"
reiortc1 Isabel. unable wholly TO con
'ceal tho wound her vanity had received
from the malicious eyes that wer,
NatcAln. her. IT'S the height Of
some peoples ambition to be odd. /
don't sec anything very alarming about
him. | can point you to half dozen
men in our own set better looking
than he"
IN! but you should hear him talk!
Hes been everywhere. | should say.
ana then he has such a musical voice
and such expressive oyes. Take him
altogether. he Is the most fascinating
man ever met. though you might find
n score that are handsomer."
With these words Mrs. Fame walked
nway. taking with her the pleasant
assurance that she had left her dear
friend" rs uncomfortable as she could
desire. Not that she had any cspe.
cial cause for III will, except Isabprs
superior personal attractions. though
perhaps our feminine readers will con.
slider that to be cause enough.
After this, Isabel met Mr.. Dudley
often-or, rather, saw him: for. much
to her chagrin and modification. he
still continued to decline. at least tacit.
iy, her acquaintance. which most men
who were thrown within the sphere II
her Influence were so eager 10 obtain.
Stimulated by this unwonted oppr.
sitlon. Isabel determined 10 bring about
an Introduction. nor doubling that then
the way would be clear TO her for
avcnglng the slight that had been OF.
Tered her. "sfis
This being effected, she lost no time
I'm calling into play the seductive
charms with which nature had 50