Evening star., 1903-08-22

voice she knew addressing her in tones of
suppressed anger
Whose are those? Who gave you those?''
She looked up with start. and saw Nigel,
his dark face quivering with passion, as he
struck the roses in her hand with the back
OF his He was carrying bunch of sweet
peas and mignonette. which she knew were
meant for her.
Here. young fellow. you take yourself
of, and don't make yourself offensive to
the young lady sang out John Mercer,
from the other side of Piety. in patronizng
tones
Nigel took no notice of him. With his
eyes fixed steadily on Piety's face he went
on, with that very moving tone in his voice
that the girl had so often heard before:
why didn't you come with me- Piety7
You know you promised mer'
Before she could reply John Mercer, NOV
ing slowly forward. interfered again. with
perfect good humor. but with an Irritating
tone of lofty condescension:
Come. the lady can do as she likes. I
suppose? She's at liberty to go out with
whom she likes best. eh?''
You didn't come; you know you didn't
comer' put in poor Piety hastily. giving Nj
gel kind. almost -reproachful look
Il didn't come! Why. l was round at
your place two hours ago; they put me off
for him.
He spoke in quite low voice not wishing
to make a scene" in public place, to the
distress of the girl: but he shot at his IA
vored rival glance full of malice and bit
was about, not good enough for them, at
any rate.
John Mercer perhaps ruffied under his
ostentatious good humor by NieeIs attitude
toward himself or by the very fact that
this Denniess fisherman should dare to
stand in rivalry to him. interposed again:
We'll. and since you was given your an
swer. and the answer was No why
couldn't you take it?" Again Nigel took no
notice of his rivals words With a louder
voice. therefore. John Mercer went on: It's
not likely Miss Piety's people would care
for to see her take up with the OF a
jailbirdr
Nigel was stung into an answer by this
amazing, utterly unexpected reproach. His
face turned livid under the sun brown as he
repeated. "Jailbird." in a tone not so much
of Indignation of utter incredulity.
AYE. iailbird-iailbird It's true. and I
suppose you know it. though you do choose
to play the innocent"
Nigel had recovered himself.
Its lie. you-'' he began, advancing
with cenehed fist and threatening attitude.
But before he could come to close quarters
with Mercer. Piety had thrust herself be-
tween them.
Hush hush. Nigel. I'll take your fow-
ers. and you-you must go home" said she.
in a hoarse whisper. snatching the sweet
peas from his grasp with one hand while
she dropped John Mercer's roses with the
other. You'll go-youn go, won't youf
For nv saker'
There was no resisting her quivering
white face her great blue eyes the pathos
of her broken voice. Nigel looked her full
in the face.
Make him take IT back. then" muttered
he. Then I'll CO."
"I shall not take It back: couldn't, for
it's true" said John Mercer's deep voice.
from behind the girl.
Nigel clenched his hand again. looked
over Piety's shoulder at Mercer's stolid
face. and suddenly shrunk back as II he
had been stabbed. In that moment of in
tense excitement certain dim recoliections
of his early childhood seemed to condense
into definite form in his mind A shudder
seized him. corresponding to the horrible
doubt within. Without another word either
to Piety or her companion. ne suddenly
skunk away as IL he had received a disa-
bling wound. and disappeared from their
sight in the crowd.
To be continued Monday.)