Middletown transcript., 1903-11-28
GLADYS THE HEIRESS !.
[coNrINuED FROM LAST WEEK.
BY. VILOT HHYTE

She did not look at him as she spoke,
and Gerard for one moment felt as il the
whole world was turning topsy-turvy.
Then it suddenly flashed across his mind
that, once married, he would have fair
field, and but little fear of failure.
We should save the property, Miss
Hawthorndean went on in matter-of-
fact way, and do not see that we need
be very unhappy.
No, he said simply.
Then what do you say about it? she
asked, looking up at him at last.
That accept. 1 am only too glad to
get you at any price.
All, you think that alter time may
relent and forget it all; but assure you l
shall do nothing Of the kind. No; if you
20 on with this, you must make up your
mind to look upon it merely as business
arrangement made to save the property.
I shall never be anything more to you
than am now.
Then, at least, shall be spared the
pain of seeing you given to another, he
said quietly.
Miss Hawthorndean WINGED little in
spite of herself
Then our engagement may be an
nounced, she said hurriedly. And OF
course it is not necessary to let all the
world know how unhappily we are
divided.
As YOU wish, he answered. Then am
to be fairly civil to you before people?
OF course-a little impatiently; and, l
hope, fairly civil in private also. trust
you do not suppose me sufficiently vulgar
to be capable of quarreling with you?
lido not think so, he returned gravely.
only regulate my manner by yours.
That is well, she said graciously.
Then may 1 give you the tigers claws
you were good enough to say you would
accept? he asked.
Did say SO? Yes. l think it would
be as we'll for us to make each other pres
ents. If you will send them up to my
room, will wear them tonight.
You honor me, Gerard said, with grave
courtesy and stiff bow. And now will
20 and find Mrs. Mcdonald, that may
tell her our news.
He would have been much surprised ii
he had heard the laugh that rippled from
Gladys's lips as the door closed.
The news spread through the house like
wild-fre. Every one was taken by sur
prise-Mrs. Mcdonald most of all.
never knew Gladys come round SO
easily before, she exclaimed when Gerard
broke the news. Oh, depend upon it,
she was only making believe!-
Perhaps not. he replied, mindful OF
Gladys's wish that the world should not
know of their unhappy division.
And when is it to be? Mrs Mcdonald
asked.
Oh, don't know! he answered, with
some confusion, for that part OF the pro-
gramme had never been mentioned be-
tween them. Just in time to save the
property, I dare say.
Nearly three months then, she said
placidly, and forthwith went off into
calculation of the various articles Gladys
would require.
By the visitors in the house the news
was received in various ways. Old Lady
Lesley was charmed. Nothing pleased
her like a love affair; and to be in the
same house with pair of newly-be-
trothed lovers was treat which did not
come in her way every day. Her own
half-dozen of daughters she had dis
posed of long before, and her only son
had found himself wife in Ireland. To
them, therefore, she had not to look for
her favorite pleasure, and so she was all
the more inclined to make much OF
Gerard and Gladys.
You are just after my own heart, she
told Gerard at dinner that evening. When
l think that but last night you didn't
even know who Mrs. Mcdonald was, nor
anything about Gladys herself hardly.
except that you thought her lovely, and
now I see you affianced to her-really,
Mr.. Fame, I am quite proud of knowing
you!
Don't chaff me, Lady Lesley, he said
humbly.
l mean every word Of it, she assured
him.
Do you really? Then that is very kind
of you, lie replied, laughing. Yes, I sup
pose we have been quick about it.
Quick! she echoed. Neither more nor
less than railroad speed. Ah, well, we'll
all the better for it! "Happy's the WOO
ing that's not long a-loing," you know;
and 1 hope you will fully realize the
truth of it.
Poor Gerard He saw but little pros
pect of the kind old lady's wishes being
realised, and he thought that it really
was hard upon him to have to grin and
bow and look the picture of bliss, when
he knew that Gladys opposite hated him
like poison, and would fain get off marry
ing him if she could. She did not seem
to feel her part SO difficult as he did his.
She appeared decked out in his tigers
claws, and drew attention to the beauty OF
their setting. She blushed when she was
congratulated, and said, 81 hope SO"
when each and all had wished she might
be very happy. Whilst Gerard was lis
tening to Lady Lesley's complacent chat
ter during the meal, he watched Gladys
closely, and he came to the conclusion
that her anger, as Mrs. Mcdonald had
suggested, had been merely make-believe,
and that, in her heart of hearts, she was
really very happy at the prospect of her
approaching marriage. Perhaps the wish
was father to the thought; but, later in
the evening, acting on the strength Of it,
he, when he found himself for moment
alone with her in the conservatory, took
her into his arms and kissed her dozen
times.
My darling, oh, my darling! lie NUT
tered nassionafely