Middletown transcript., 1903-12-05
IooNr1suED FROM LAST WEEK.

that, for such simple childish little
body, as she undoubtedly was, she now
and then delivered herself of wonderfully
clever speeches. Perhaps that was Why
he enjoyed them SO much; she never
seemed to know she was clever; she
seemed to say smart things by mistake.
Very probably she did, and in that lay
the charm. He knew that as rule he
hated clever women.
Then did you get tile money? he asked.
Oh, yes!
Very pleasant for you, he remarked in
a lachrymose way, as if pleasure of that
kind never fell to his share.
Why, yes,-with a soft laugh-I sup
pose thirty thousand pounds would be
pleasant for anybody.
Yes, by Jove, I should think it would
he responded briskly, more briskly than
he had spoken before.
He reused himself from his lounging
attitude-for he had finished his break
fast, and was leaning back in his chair
and he contemplated Miss Coley cur
iously. Was that little fragile being really
possessed of all that money? he thought.
Then he wondered how it was such a
tempting morsel had not been snapped
up long before. Perhaps she had not
been possessed Of it SO very long. Yes,
most likely that was it.
There was a little hustle presently,
when the hunting party started. AL
though Gerard had followed Chrystal
Coley out into the hall to watch them 60,
he did not offer to assist his Jfance to
mount, but stood calmly ON the top of
the steps with his hands in his pockets
and watched George Lorrimor do that
service for her with blandly gracious face.
After all, he thought, as Gladys rode
away without one glance towards him,
there were plenty of girls in the world
besides Gladys Hawthorndean, girls quite
as pretty, almost as rich, and most will
ing to have him.
As his eyes instinctively sought Chrys-
tal's face, doubt crossed his mind as to
her being as pretty as Gladys; and, as to
the extreme willingness to accept him, he
was also doubtful; indeed, he was far from
sure whether she was so great an attrac-
ton as he had thought at first.
Gerard Fame was particularly given to
wanting what he could not have. AS he
watched Gladys's receding form, and that
defiant thought flashed into his mind, he
knew, as well as If his heart had found
itself voice and told him SO, that Chrys-
tai Coley's very willingness to firt with
him and her evident admiration for him
detracted greatly from her charms. And
yet, when she turned her great soft eyes
up and asked, What shall we do now? he |
forgot everything, and gave back sigh for |
sigh, and tender glance for tender glance.
Let us go up into the little boudoir, he |
suggested, mentioning room which was |
he knew, but rarely used in the morning.
Will there be a fire? she asked.
Oh, yes! We can 60 and see.
So they betook themselves to the little
room, which was over the entrance, and
whence good view of the drive could be
had.
Oh, this is delightful, said Miss Coley,
with great enthusiasm-so much nicer
than being out in nasty damp wood,
with no better amusement than routing a
fox out of his hole. dare say
though, Mr.. Fame, you are wishing you
had gone!
Indeed am not, he returned, not very
truthfully. hope you are not wishing
l had gone?
Chrystal looked down and blushed.
I am afraid, she began, and then brol 9
off, blushing still more.
What are you afraid Of? he asked, edg-
ing his chair trife nearer to hers. Not
of me, I hope?
Of you?-with laugh and half-shy,
half-miscbievous glance from beneath her
dark lashes. Oh, no! But think some
times I ought should not let my wishes
be seen so very
Plainly? he suggested.
Well, I am glad you did not hunt, she
said hurriedly, and am afraid said SO.
Yes, you did. Why not?
Why not? Well, l have no business to
care what you do-wht ther you go or
stay.
But you do?
Gerard threw prudence to the winds,
and took her hand in his.
Yes; l suppose l do-with half-ner-
vous laugh and another coquettish glance;
but then I ought not to say so, more par
ticularly since you belong to Gladys.
Pooh! I don't belong to Gladys; it is
merely family arrangement, he said
And Gladys doesn't care a
rap for me.
Not care! Miss Coley echoed, as if she
could hardly believe her ears.
Really-looking very sentimental, and
giving the hand little squeeze. Don't
you pity me?
She nodded without speaking, and Ger.
ard pushed the matter little farther.
You wouldn't be go cruel to me, would
you?
No, wouldn't. she sighed. How is it
Gladys does not like you better? II
Can't say. Because I'm SO poor, per-
maps. ID
Oh!-with incredulous amazement.
Chrystal, he said suddenly, after a {
pause, if you like, I'll give Gladys up, if
you'll take pity on me. Ii
Miss Coley jumped off her chair with {
astonishing rapidity. Il
Oh, l couldn't! Don't ask me, .he
:ried, retreating to the door. s
But Gerard was too quick for her; he q
aught her before she lad time to escape,
md brought her back to the fire, holding
Ter prisoner. Ii
Don't run away from me, lie said re-
'roachfully. You're not afraid OF me. Il
Chrystal?