Middletown transcript., 1903-11-28

| HaWthOrEdean'S gathered Howers, sno
seemed SO determined that he should not
even try. And yet he could not quite
make up his mind to abandon the at.
tempt, although he had used the blossoms
SO roughly that they were almost shaken
to pieces. Still he would fain see them
back upon their tree in the garden OF
Gladys Hawthorndean's heart, blooming
as luxuriantly as they had done in San
dune only few months before.
CHAPTER VII
When Gerard went downstairs that
morning he encountered Gladys in the
hall, and that young lady uttered an ex-
clamation of surprise.
Why, Gerard! she said, glancing at his
dress.
Gerard too looked down at his light
suit and laughed.
I don't think l care about it this morn
ing, he said coolly; and of course you
don't care anything about it.
Of course not, Gladys replied promptly,
though queer little fash came into her
eyes. Twill let them know in the stables.
Shall 20? Is there time before break
fast! he asked.
Yes, do; and you might tell them to let
me have Rubicon instead of Kate.
So Gerard betook himself to the stables,
where he found Gladys's own groom, to
whom he gave the order.
What horse does Miss Hawthorndean
usually ride? lie asked, after he had in
spected two or three OF the animals near
est at hand.
Rubicon, sir, the groom answered, point
ing to big brown, well up to sixteen
stone. The young mistress rides him
like bird.
Gerard said nothing. His mind was
just then filled with two ideas. The first
was,that his fance must be wonderfully
fine horsewoman; the second, that she
had been willing to give up her favorite
horse to him. He could not quite under
stand that in her present mood. Could
it be that she doubted his ability as
horseman and wished to make him appear
ridiculous? 1t really appeared like it, he
told himself. Yes, depend upon it, that
was the trap she had thought to lay for
him. He laughed not a little on the way
back to the house at the idea of it. He,
Gerard Fame, who, as horseman, could
have challenged any cavalry man or cir
Gus rider he had ever seen! Oh, it was a
jokel Well, it did not suit him to change
his mind and let Gladys see what he was
made of, for he wanted to stay at home
and talk to little Miss Coley; but some
other day he would take the trouble of
showing off a little, and SO set his future
wife's mind at rest on that subject. Hav-
ing arriving at that satisfactory conclus-
ion, Mr.. Gerard Fame entered the house
and made his way to the breakfast-room.
Miss Coley's dark eyes frightened visibly
at the sight Of him; but Gladys's he could
not see.
Not going to hunt? Miss Coley asked in
all undertone, as he took the scat next to
her, leaving his own at the head Of the
table vacant.
No; am going to stay at home and
talk to you, he returned. Let me give
you some Of this pie. Miss Coley-it looks
tempting.
He made the last observation for the
benefit Of the company assembled, and
perhaps also little to divert attention
from the vivid scarlet blush which had
covered Miss Coley's face.
DO you know, he observed presently,
in confidential way, have teen two
days in the same house with you, and |
do not know your name yet. lave only
heard that your people call you Cis.
Yes, they do. Jack always does; and
SO every one else does too, she replied.
My name is Chrystal.
Chrystal! lie repeated. never heard
of it as name before.
Please don't laugh at it, Size laid, rais-
ing her soft eyes imploringIy to his.
did not give it to myself.
Laugh! What would there be to laugh
at? he cried
| don't know. suppose it is a very
fanciful uncommon name, and indeed
many people are SO amused when they
hear it that am very glad when no one
asks what my name is.
think it charming name, he declared
warmly. shall always think so.
Will you?-very softly.
You know shall. Yes; it suits you
too, Chrystal.
l never liked my name before, muir
INJURED the girl dreamily; and now
And now? he questioned eagerly.
like it best of any, she half-whispered.
Gerard felt an uncomfortable thrill run
through him. He wished for moment
that lie had not been such fool as to give
up his huntingdon what? That lie
might entangle himself still further, that
he might run Ills head against another
stone wall, and get deeper into Gladys
Hawthorndean's black books than ever.
That lie might break Chrystal Coley's
heart never entered his head; for, though
not perhaps bad at heart, he was all
essentially selfish man, as thoughtiess as
any schoolboy in holiday time, and he
hated counting the cost-to others. And
yet now and again conscience gave him
sharp sting, just by way of reminder that
life was not to I've all roses for him.
1t stung him severely just then; but
some evil spirit was ready with saIve to
lay upon the wound; for at that moment
Chrystal looked up, and the upward
glance Of pair Of beautiful eyes was ever
the one thing which Gerard Fame was
incapable OF resisting. And they were
such marvellously lovely eyes. The pre-
vious night he had thought them dark.
brown; but now in the daylight he would
have been puzzled 10 describe them
accurately. The more he looked at them
and he did not deny himself in that re-