New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-27

have been able to give her Injuries Until her
illness she comparatively happy. Now
strange fancies about the past torment her.
Nightmare tmaginings mingle with realities in
her disordered brain. am powerless to help
her-it is very saddening"
I admired his devotion
1t must comfort you 20 feel that yO, havs
never failed her. 1 said. gently.
a strange smile fitted across the handsorns
dark face.
II owe her much.' he said-"more than I can
ever repay
The moon shimmered on the water. The faint
south breeze blew back my hair as we rovved
against it homeward. Philip began to sing
When we reached the boathouse I was aston
ished to find we had been out two hours 1t was
after IL At the top OF the bank. on the edge Of
the lawn, stopped 10 look again at the river a
shield of silver
''sit down while" said Philip pointing to a
bench beneath fir tree. and enjoy the beauty
of the night"
1t IS late must go in
Not yet" he insisted mot until 1 give You
my reason for wearyiug YOU with thar sad
story"
But you did not weary me-" and TO prove
this moved to the bench and sat down. Philip
remained standing.
Had you been Augusta Dean he said.
slowly. looking down at me steadfastIy IT
should not have told you my mothers history.
IF had not been interrupted last night by
! Thorpe and my mother 1 should. after you had
answered my question. have told you then
Since. have decided that it was due you to let
you know first that am a nameless man"
I sat quite stiu. as though turned to stone.
1 knew what was coming. and my heart died
within me
You poor. Athena'-he spoke in low.
measured tOnes-"and 1 am very rich. I can
give you everything you desire. regret bit
terly that can't offer you old and honorable
name like your own. my princess. oh. Athena.
Athena" he cried, suddenly. giving rein 10 his
| passion. turn your great starry eyes from thu
cold river and look at me- your lover! Tell me.
my darling that YOU will be my wife" Hs
seized my hands in his covering them with
kisses. 1 tried in vain to free them. You viii
marry me, sweetheart he pleaded his sDlsndid
eyes alight. his face white beneath its In thu
| moons rays.
NO l said coIdIy No 7 thank YOU hzs
can never be your WIFE
| was unreasOnably angry. The old feeling OF
repulsiou swept over anew. and strove to
draw my hands from his. Yet knew had TO
| right to resent his behavior. He was not to
! blame for asking me be his wife. nor might
| he be expected 10 realize that his words meant
my dismissal 1 could no longer remain at tbs
crowded through my mind. jostling each other.
| Philip. regaining his composure. released ny
hands and sat down beside me
Let us talk the matter over quietly" he said.
You will at least do me the justice OF hearing
| me out?''
I bowed. That was only fair
Tell me first why you refuse me. Athena
| Because don't love YOU"
He laughed My dearest child. I haven't
asked you to-
stared at him. bewIldereG.
I never thought you loved me. Athena [ am
not such a conceited fool I only ask you TO b.
my wife. IF. by and by. you can give me Iittls
afection-but that will come! Listen. You shall
live where you like. and as you like; travel or
remain at home, as you please You shall have
: your own way in everything. and be served and
4 tended like little queen All ask is the right
| to be near you. Marry me. bien aimee. and
| swear you shall be happy"
NO. no." I repeated. lit cannot be I will -
| away You will forget me and this idle fancy
| I believed what I said: that Mr. Errantfs
| feeling was but passing fancy for a pretty
| face. / thought, in my youthful ignorance. that
the matter lay entirely in my bands that I was
mistress Of the situation My name was Athena
but lacked wisdom greatly
'Nonsense" said Philip. II shant permit you
to leave us, Would you punish my mother for
my fault. Athena? 7 know YOU better Forget
what have said, since it displeases you and
everything shall be as il was before"
THAT cannot be- said, sadly. for then
did not know
You did not know that I loved your Philip
spoke incredulously. You can't have been so
blind, child! God knows have been at no pains
to hide my feelings" He laughed a short. hard
laugh.
lost patience.
Why. only this afternoon" 1 cried. Indignant
~, you named my daisy for Randall St. JohaI
Madam thought so-and he was sure!"
I'm not responsible for the vain inagininss of
foolish boy said Philip. conposedly. II was
that you knew the daisy spoke for me. Is
did-and but too truly
It wish TO go home" I said inperiousy. IT
have remained here too long already
I rose and walked toward the house. In that
last hour the relations between US had changed
With my fathers friend. OF twice ny
age, had needed no chaperon. After his decla-
ration the conditions were altered. I had grown
up without guidance or knowledge Of social
laws but instinct told me I should hasten home.
AT the foot of the staircase Philip stopped me-
IF you leave he said in low tones, Il swear
I will follow you-should you fly TO the utter
most end of the earth! II you kind. and re-
main, 1 promise not to worry you All shall De
as before I spoke tonight"
81 will stay till the last of the month" said,
and upstairs
really had TO stay--I had money.
CTo be conttnued)