The Forrest City times., 1904-05-06


 "I should rather think so." he sneered, diving into his pocket with considerable i'll grace. But first" he held the paper away from her extend- | ed fingers for a second, you must promise me to destroy the infamous 1 thing-and at once"
 Constantina gulped. "I promise" she aequiesced. receiving it tremulous- l ly, '1 will burn 1t as soon as get to i my room"
 And the confession-how about | that?' He spoke dryly. You'll not be angry, dear?" Il don't exactly see how I'm to avoid that"
 "But-but it isn't what you imagine at all. Dick. Not a bit. Of course can understand what you think and why you think it-but you mustn't-oh, you mustn't. Let me explain" She | paused, all out of breath and clung to | him in an agony of entreaty.
 He regarded her gravely by the | lights that glimmered softly from the grounds beyond. Certainly: am anxious for an explanation. he re- piled. stifily. Undoubtedly, should be more than relieved 10 have this mystery cleared up"
 Constantine caught her breath in a little choking way. and broke directly into the subject T found 1.-the pa per" she said, speaking rapidly. "on the front veranda, after everybody had gone-this morning l thought was sure that it was meant. had been meant for you and that-and that-it was written by that detestable little cat, Cary Fleming. Oh, hate her and I'm glad. glad, glad she's going away!"
 And so-you stopped to petty jeal- ousy-to petty suspicion-to a petty intention to eavesdrop-to-" He shrugged and laughed in cutting lit- tie fashion that sent the blood racing to Constantina's face and lips. She shivered piteously In the cool wind that had suddenly sprung up.
 "Oh, Dick" she cried, remorsefully, T ought not, l know, but it was all be- cause loved you so, and l was mad half-crazed to think" She burst into nervous sobbing.
 Couldn't you forgive me?' she asked after awhile, looking up at him through tear-bright eyes.
 Why, as to that, l suppose so. am only too glad to be assured that 1t is nothing worse. You can see for yourself that l might perfectly well have believed otherwise. There's one provision I wish to make, however This subject must not again be al- luded to between us. It must never be known to anyone that you have mis- trusted me so grossly You must never doubt me again. Constantina Do you agree?"
 To eyerything,' she answered in a low voice Dear, dearest I've been foolish, unforgivable little fool" she hurried on, but do want you to say just once that you forgive me"
 Well, then, l forgive you" he re- cited with an indulgent little laugh
 Constantine lifted her lips to his. suddenly; he bent suddenly and kissed them
 They passed silently through the low iron gate. up the wide gravel path and onto the veranda where the rest were assembled for the evenings pastimes.
 She did not stop longer than min- ute, but hurried up the broad length of stairs and gained the shelter of her own room. She went first to the long cheval mirror and stood for some time regarding herself critically Her eyes were very very gray and eloquently l bright, and her cheeks were beautiful ly pink and fresh. The pile of hair that 1 tumbled picturesquely over her fore head, stood somewhat awry, but none the less golden and splendid Her heart was beating unanimously under the fluff of lace above it; below. the cloud like ruffles of her gown hung snagged and dripping with dew.
 She smiled; then laughed. It was curiously happy little laugh, full of re- lief and gladness and love Suddenly she thought of the paper. She must burn it immediately; she had promised Dick that she would do so. She walked over to the open fireplace blue and red mass of coals huddled sleepily in the grate. Constantine opened her palm slowly, and eyed the crumpled scrap of paper with deprecative eyes. "I wonder" she unused. unfolding It mechanically. T wonder who could have written it. anyway-and to whom it was written, No one else came-there Perhaps can trace resemblance" She smoothed out the creases with careful fingers and read:
 Impossible for me to get to the branch before 930. Wait for me.
 "C"
 An instant her lashes fickered; the paper slipped from her nerveless fin- gers and lay unheeded on the floor. Minutes passed, Presently, she stopped, quite calmly. and picked it up and laid it on the coals. She watched it curl and blacken and sift 10 ashes Then she turned away and went downstairs to rejoin her guests.