Middletown transcript., 1903-11-21

from Dido. As soon as his step was
heard in the hall, Dido lifted her ears
and the moment he entered the room she
rushed upon him with the most extrava
CANT demonstrations of canine joy.
How pleased Dido is to see you again
Gladys said, as she shook hands-hei
right hand this time.
l wish you were, he replied forlornly
DO YOU? she returned indiferently,
hardly using the words as a question
needing a reply, but rather with utter
carelessness, expressing "Indeed is it SOP
Gerard sighed impatiently.
Where am to sit? he asked.
That is your seat, she answered, point
ing to the large chair at the foot OF the
table.
But he was not minded to take it just
then. The coast for the time was clear,
and it had ever been his plan to make
his hay while the sun shone. Therefore
he sat down upon the chair nearest to
Gladys and watched her putting cream
and sugar into his cup with absorbing
interest,
I say, Gladys, he said at last, imprison-
ing one of her hands within his own,
won't you forgive me, darling?
Miss Hawthorndean shook off his hand
as if it had been scorpion; but she did
not speak.
1 think, if you have the faintest con-
ception OF all I suffered since l saw you
last, he urged gently, you would forgive
me, Gladys. You don't know how l love
you!
I do not believe in love, said the girl
coldly.
Gerard looked at her with incredulous
eyes.
1 cannot think so, he answered.
No?-drawing herself up little, and
looking very severe and proud. Very
possibly you, being capable Of such great
and disinterested love yourself, can hardly
realise my stony-heartedness. I will tell
you why do not believe in it, Mr.. Fame.
l once loved a man-dearly! Even to
him she could scarcely speak Of it without
faltering. Ilovsd him perhaps more than
any woman had ever loved him before or
will do again; and this man-though he
taught me to love him, and taught me
enough of the tender passion to know its
real value-taught me so much that l do
not now believe in it at all.
Gerard sat watching her with fasci-
mated gaze; but she was looking straight
before her, and her soft eyes never once
turned in the direction OF his. He saw
though that she was terribly agitated;
her small white hands were trembling,
and in her voice there was the sound Of
tears. When she spoke again it was in
the tone of one keeping calm only by an
intense effort.
This man whom I-loved, she contir-
ued, gave me another lesson besides that
in which learned to care for him. Per-
haps l was long learning it; but, you see
with a faint smile-I learned it all the
more thoroughly.
Can you never forgive? lie asked per-
Perhaps when l have forgotten, sle
answered.
Then will you not try to forget?
Forget? she repeated, turning her eyes
upon him for the first time. Yes, may
forget when l die; and may forgive you
when have forgotten.
Heaven help me then! said Gerard
Then the door opened, and one or two
other guests entered.
Gerard went back to his seal, ,and wished
himself anywhere but at Hawtlorndean;
md yet he absolutely shivered at the idea
If leaving Gladys-to George Lorrimor,
ior instance.
Going to shoot this morning, Fame?
hat young gentleman asked presently.
| think not, Gerard returned rather
,urtly.
All, suppose tropical sport las made
you blase, he laughed. How many tigers
had you?
A few, Gerard answered.
What did you do with the claws? Gladys
asked.
I'll give them to you if you'll have
them, he said promptly. l had them
in Delhi.
Oh, you are very kind! she said frostily;
but she did not refuse them-a point
Gerard was very quick to notice.
He kept his word about the shooting
and remained at home, not by any means
because he was blase, but because he
wanted to see Gladys alone; and he fan
cied his best opportunity would be in the
Therefore, as they left the
breakfast room, he bent over her and
asked if she would grant him ten minutes
during the morning.
Surely, she replied courteously, you can
find your way into uncle's study l make
that my especial sanctum.
What time? he asked.
Any time after eleven. Pm afraid
shall be occupied until then.
And then she passed on, leaving Gerard
with the impression that civility, though
a very good thing in its way, may be car
ried too far.
AS soon as eleven O'Clock had sounded
from the various clocks about the place,
he betook himselfin fear and tremblii g
though he put fairly good face upon the
whole business-to the study. Gladys
was already there, sitting almost in front
Of the fire in the huge arm chair he had
seen his uncle occupy hundreds of times.
She just looked up, as he entered, as she
might have looked OH the entrance OF any
acquaintance. 1t was perhaps that de-
meanor which bstfied him more COM
pletely than anything else could have
lone. IT she would only have been an
cry, he would have had something to
hope for; but with this perfectly civil, yet
-