Middletown transcript., 1903-08-08

liberately. Yes, I see; you are
quite right, and Twas wrong.
1t would never do for you to
marry poor man. Marriages of
affection are luxuries which, like
rudeness and ill-breeding, can
only be INDUCED in with impun-
ity by the highest or the lowest
classes of society. Yes, you are
quite right.
Of course I am! Hilda's tone
was as deliberate as his own, but
she did not raise her eyes from
her sketch. And, if I had been
foolish enough to assent to that
little arrangement which you
were good enough to propose the
other day and play Joan to your
Darby, l wonder which of us
would have repented the sooner?
You, I fancy! No, my cousin,
the role of Joan is not one that I
could play gracefully. Be thank
full that I had sense enough to
recognise the fact.
And yet, just for a moment,
Hilda-and Paul raised his head
and looked straight into her face
II thought you were not quite
so sure of that. There was just
one blissful moment of madness
do you remember? When your
head was resting on my shoulder
and your lips were close to mine
when you hesitated. Love
touched you very closely then,
Hilda! He stood before the door
of your heart and asked for ad-
mission, and just for a moment
you were tempted to admit him;
but then worldly wisdom came
forward and sent him sternly
about his business, and he spread
his wings and fed. Darling, tell
me-and he took her hand and
touched it tenderly with his lips
was it not as 1 say? You were
silent when I asked you the other
day, but I believe with all my
heart that you love me! Oh, my
dear, think!
Hilda was silent, but her heart
was throbbing so fast that it
seemed almost impossible to an
swer. Her eyes wandered rest
lessly over the fair scene that lay
before her, watching with Ian
guild interest a little boat which
was dancing up and down on the
waves-a seagull which flew
overhead-looking anywhere and
at anything but at the passionate
-blueeyes which were watch
ing her face so intently. Those, |
she could not-would not-meet.
They would force the truth from
her; they would freeze the lie on |
her lips. She gave a little hard |
laugh and pulled her hand away. |
Love you? Nonsense! ] have
no love to give to any man. Ma
ture omitted the virtue in my |
composition, she returnedlightly |
All this-she said the words with
q little effort-has been most
charming pastime; but l, at all
events, never meant it it for for more
than pastime! Why, even if you
we're a rich man, I am not sure
that I should care to be your wife.
You are too much in earnest and
ar too jealous and exacting, sir!
{ have no fancy for a gloomy
)thello for a husband who would
yrudge every word and smile l
rave to another man. I should
lot care to interfere with my
husbands amusements, and |
should expect like liberty in
'eturn.
Sir Hubert is likely-if all ac-
counts are true-to claim your
Paul said grimly.
You are no innocent girl, Hilda;
S you said just now, you are a
Voman of the world and know its
Vickedness as we'll as most people
o I can speak to you Of subjects
0 which I would not willingly al
ude in-well, say, Phyllis pres
nee. Do you know that thereis
woman who has prior
lain on Sir Hubert-whom he
ught in common justice to have
narried years ago-who forfeit
d home, honor, and a high place
4 the world for love of him?
CONTINUED NEXT WEEK