The Starkville news. (Starkville, Miss.) 1902-1960, 1903-03-06

"It can't be that she-Bah, haven't
the right to even think of such thing.
She'd resent it desperately" he said
under his breath, turning again to the
sea. "Wonder if can get through the
next two days without behaving like
cad?"
But in the morning Miss Emily
emerged from her seclusion, probably
against her will, and the day passed
quite unconstrainedly. When the last
morning came Powell was silent and
stern, and Madge was absorbedly So
licitous of her aunt's comfort; but the
final parting was conventional enough.
AS their cab bore the aunt and niece
away from the docks, the girl drew
quick sigh.
"a soldier and gentleman!" she
murmured, with little laugh; but
there was glow in her face, neverthe-
less.
The city awoke under the weeping
skies. Powell, in his club window,
gazed gloomily down on the dripping
streets. The disgust that his whole APP
pearance. bespoke, however, was not
for the dismal prospect, but for the
years that were stretching, in his imag-
;nation, interestless and wearisome
ahead of him. He was sick of the
army, he told himself, and, worse, sick
of civilization. AS for that pile of
money in the bank-he ioathed the
thought of it.
One of the club servants brought
him a letter, and he tore it open indif-
ferently; but his face changed as he
drew it out.
II would not write this" he read,
Except that you would learn it from
some one else. 1t was your own mis-
take in the beginning, you will re-
member, in taking for granted that my
name was the same as that of my
mothers sister. And, in self-defense,
l could not do less than leave you under
the delusion, though my aunt strong
lv disapproved. l am sorry that the
only time we are likely to meet, l
should seem to have been passing un-
der false colors. But for the future,
| beg YOU will believe, | shall take as
good care of your name as you shall
yourself. Margaret Kennedy Powell"
Without change in his attitude,
Powell stood staring down at the pa
per in his hand. Then he WINGED
sharply.
what a fool I must have looked!"
he muttered, the dark color rising in
| his face.
Miss Lockhart was deep in the ap-
prehensive delights of unpacking her
| bric-a-brac, when maid, entering, an
nounced:
ga gentleman for Mrs. Powell"
Its the landlord" said Miss Lock
hart. sharply. Il expected him. Mind,
| Madge, if he asks for another cent, you
go!"
Her niece had risen from beside
| trunk, with changing color, and put
her hand nervously to her hair.
"Very well, auntie." she murmured
vaguely, from the door.
In the hall below she paused before
| the drawing-room portieres; then, part
ing them, stopped short on the thresh-
old.
Capt. POWELL" she exclaimed, in a
low voice.
He came quickly forward.
"Oh, you knew / would come" he
said, unsmilingly, taking her hands.
She laughed.
"You've made. complete fool of
me, know" he said, flushing. "It must
have been tremendously amusing.
Heaven only knows what / said; but
you've paid NE out for it in the last
| two hours. I've been a victim of COM
| plications from the first. But-oh,
MadgeI needn't begin at the begin
ming, need I?'
She drew away her hands, and lifted
| her head in the air.
Certainly" she said. - National
Magazine.