Middletown transcript., 1904-02-13


I am truly sorryl Godfrey declared.
did not mean to frighten you! l forgot
that you did not know was here.
Have you been back long? she in
quired, still painting and trembling, but
trying to steady her voice.
About five minutes, Godfrey told her.
He was trying to see her face in the
darkness. There was something repelling
and cold in her misty white figure as she
stood aloof from him and pronounced
reserve in her voice when she spoke.
Custance was still smarting under the
memory of his manner when they parted,
and she was indignant that he had been
listening to her song and heard her igno-
minious breakdown.
Well-of course, Mr.. Standard, you
are, at liberty to enter your own house
how and where you like, she said, with
polite satire. Anger did not mar the low
Sweetness of her tone, and her musical
voice made her words seem the more
cfuel.~ Rnt i tuial. You might have more
consideration for the nerves OF your
household than to steal in like thief In
the night! Have you told the servants CT
your arrival? Mrs. Standard has gone to
bed; but will speak to the housekeeper
and see that your room is ready.
Pray do not disturb my mother, God
frey begged, rather crestfallen. He real
lied that things between them were not
by any means smooth as yet. can sleep
anywhere.
That is absurd, she replied calmly.
Your room will be ready in few min
utes. Have you dined?
Yes. Miss Madison, he cried as she
turned away, want to speak to you
please wait moment.
Custance paused, her tall figure utterly
uncompromising. Godfrey's impulse was
to take her in his arms and overwhelm.
her with caresses and declarations to-
gether, but such proceeding was hardly.
compatible with the icy indifference OF
her manner.
| came down to ask you-to explaint
that I-he began, words failing him in.
her discouraging silence. Z!
As fact, Custance was utterly bewild-
cred. His excited manner and his hesi-;
tation drove her to the conclusion that
he was trying to tell her that she must
leave, and she felt pang of modification
as she realized the situation.
He tried to make me 60 before, she
thought 1 wouldn't he is forced to tell
me himself The tears sprang to her eyes
and her voice was unsteady as she spoke.
You wish me to leave here? am to 60?
she queried, in low tone, facing him
desperately.
They had unconsciously drawn nearer
to the window, and the soft starlight was
Aficient to catch the fash of the tears
Rr eyes.
Godfrey exclaimed. l am en-
ring to ask you to stay=-for ever,
if roh1illi CRstance, don't YOU know
that love youf Don't cry, darling! Oh
and, yielding tosthis impulse. Mr..
standardseized hekp his arms and kissed
her without asking Nrtber leave. You
do like me little, and- will marry me?
You understand that was misled, or l
should have asked you before? And you
won't talk any more nonsense about
leaving me? he demanded impetuously,
pouring out his questions between his
tisses. Custance, why don't you answer
NE?
/ Ican'tl CustaRce protested breathlessly,
Ishing him away gently. I-mean that
sit is impossible to answer when I'm half
stifedf Besides, ! hardly know what
: v Well, sH,Dsi then, we'll tskg ,hs .sasstion.
li.tle?- ..-;h
= No--not ever 50 1ittlel lie replied,
her meaning.
And you will marry me? -.
Yes. But please, Godfrey, ,.stand lit
tie further away!
can't-Pm too happy, and you are
far too desirablel Well, then, about the
misunderstanding, dearest-a shadow
came over his face-I am afraid I must
give you great shock -
About thorn Nugent? 4 know, God
frey!
He had forgotten how fast ill-news
travels. The messenger had left word at
the Park on his way to the Hall, but had
forgotten to mention Mr.. Standards re-
turn.
Poor man! Custance said pitingly.
What terrible death! Was it he who
misled you about me, Godfrey?
Yes, dear. He made me think you
cared for him. Standard spoke very
gently and sadly. But We won't say any
think against him now, will we?
No, she answered. But l do think
you might have asked me myself
Oh, was fool! Godfrey asserted. If
it hadn't been for Mrs. Richards We
might have been under wrong impress
sion for ever SO long.
Mary Richards? Did she tell you?
Yes-brave little womanl She came
down ard bullied me in my own office.
She and Richards shall be the most hon
CURED guests at our wedding, Custance. I
think we ought to ask Baby, too. she |
returned, laughing. Oh, and poor little |
Polly! She was the little maid-of-all-
work at that horrible lodging-house |
where 1 nearly starved, and she wanted |
to be my maidt
We will have Polly, by all means,
agreed Godfrey. Any one who has loved |
you, feel inclined to love myself Are
there any more Pollys to annex?
think would rather there was not
if you are going to love them all, said |
Custance demurely. Godfrey, what will |
your mother say?
Say? he echoed joyously. Haven't |