The Savannah morning news., 1903-04-05

and then away.
She drew back and looked at him a
| moment.
There is one thing you must always
understand" she said gently, and
that is that a woman can be grateful.
1 give you all the gratitude there is in
me, and l think I have a great deal;
it is all yours. Will you always re-
member that?"
Gratitude? What can there"
you do not understand me, but
some day you will. l ask you to re-
member that my every act and thought
which bore reference to you-and there
have been many-came from the purest
gratitude. Although you do not see it
now, will you promise to believe it?"
yes" he said. simply.
, For the rest" She passed. For
the rest-I do not love you"
He bowed his head and did not lift it.
do you understand" she asked.
81 understand" he answered, quietly.
She looked at him long, and then,
suddenly, her hand to her heart, gave
a little, plying, tender cry and moved
toward him. At this he raised his head
and smiled sadly. mo; don't you
mind" he said. TITS all right l was
such a cad the other time needed to
be told; 1 was so entirely silly about
it, I couldn't face the others to tell
L
there to go in to them alone. I didn't
realize, for my manners were all gone.
I've lived in a kind of stupor, I think,
for long time; then being with you
was like a dream, and the sudden walk
ing was too much for me. I've been
ashamed often, since, in thinking of it
and 1 was well punished for not TAX
ing you in. l thought only of myself,
and l behaved like a whining, unbal-
anced boy. But 1 had whined from the
moment 1 met you, because I was sick
ly with egotism and loneliness and self
pity. I'm keeping you from the dane
ing. Won't you let me take you back
to the house?"
A commanding and querulous con-
tralto voice was heard behind them,
and dim, majestic figure appeared I'M
der the Japanese lantern.
"Helen?"
The girl turned quickly. Eyes, NAM
ma"
May 1 ask you to return to the club
house for supper with me? Your father
has been very much worried about you.
We have all been looking for you.'
Mamma, this is Mr.. Harkless."
How do you do?" The lady muir
INJURED this much so far under her
breath that the words might have been
mistaken for anything else-most
plausibly, perhaps, for. ''Who cares if it
1s|'-nor further did she acknowledge
Johns profound inclination. Frlgidi-
ty and complaint of ilI-usage made a
glamour in every fold of her expensive
garments; she was large and troubled
and severe. A second figure emerged
from behind her and bowed with the
suaVe dignity that belonged to Brain
ard Macauley. "Mr. Macauley has
asked to sit at our table," Mrs Sher-
wood said to Helen. May I beg you
to come at once? Your father is hold
ing places for u.s.
Certainly" she answered. st will
follow with Mr.. HAIRLESS
II think Mr.. HAIRLESS will excuse
you,'' said the elder lady. HE has an
engagement. Mr. Meredith has been
looking for him to take Miss Hinsdale
out to supper"
Goodnight, Miss Sherwood" said
John in cheerful voice. II thank you
for sitting out the dance with me-
Goodnight" she said, and gave him
her hand. I'm so sorry 1 shan't see
you again; l am only in Rouen for
this evening, or 1 should ask you to
come to see me. l am leaving to-mor-
row morning. -night.-Yes, mann
ma"
The three figures went toward the
bright lights of the club house. She
was leaning on Macauleys arm and
chatting gaily, smiling up at him
brightly. John watched her till she
was lost in the throng on the veranda
There, in the lights, where walters
were arranging little tables, every one
was talking and moving about. noisily
good-humored and happy. There was
a flourish of violins, and then the DR.
chestra swung into a rampant march
that pranced like uncurbeds cavalry; it