The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-07-02
CHAPTER x.

Il SIS s3is Is, Copy
ssj Is CHAPTER x.
3 4 Deverill drew the sofa up TO within
yard OF the armchair by the fire, into
which Maggie had sunk down, the picture
u or misery and despair.
TELL mo all about It," said he.
She turned her poor tcar-stained face
towards him and shook her head mourn
i fully.
"Oh. no. can't do that" she said
with n sigh. .'Wc never do tell any ono
nil we can't, you know. That's the
II worst of 1t. If you do marry me, you
: will have to be satisfied with doing 1t
( blindfold; that is to say, though shall
tlstell YOU all dare, 1t won't be every
! thing"
Ho could not help smiling at her in
genuous mixture OF rcticence and
straightforwardncss.
well, II marry YOU" said he, will
you tell me everything directly after
wards? Husbands and wives should have
no secrets from each other, you know
Maggie leaned her chin upon her hand,
and drew nearer to the fire.
II wonder" said she whether that S
really true, and whether husbands and
wives don't have as many secrets from
each other as other peope!"
There was a pause, and she drew still
nearer to tho fire, took off her gloves,
and hold out her hands to the warmth.
"I'm SO, SO cold!' said she in q shivcry
sort OF little voice. 1--WE come straight
up from Brighton this morning-all by
1nyself-w1thout telling anybody
Ocverlll looked at her and noted that
she was wearing her handsome fox boa
and a. beautiful hat. OF course, he would
not have known that 1t was an expensive
hat, for the fact that It contained two
long ostrich feathers; and somebody had
told him, at soma timo or other, that
long ostrich feathers were expensive
what made you conner" said ho rather
shortly.
4 She turned upon him a pair Of fright
ened eyes.
.NHhy. I came to ask you to marry me!''
answered she simply. You told me. when
YOU we're i'll, that II I were to change
my mind, and be ready to marry you
you would BIO ready to marry me. So
I've taken you at your word. But / sup
pose you have changed your mind! Or
perhaps you think shouldn't have asked
you'll"
Deverill could not help laughing. Every
word tho girl uttered, instead Of In
creasing his sense Of the uncomfortable
mystery which surrounded her, only
strengthened his feeling of passionate
love, that love which precludos mistrust.
"Thats It," said he. And the note Of
tenderness that thrilled In his voice would
Il have treasured her, II he had needed
reassuring. II think you're very forward,
Miss Brown"
She laughed little, and looked at
the fire again.
II wouldn't have done it, sighed she,
..if I'd seen any other way out of n.
But couldn't. I'll tell you as much as
L can. Now you know, don't You. that
there's somebody else?'
Deverill sat up straight and frowned.
Eyes, confound hint! growlcd he.
There's this Kentucky Jim or what
ever his name is! And ! think It's time
you told me more about him.
''1'll you all about him." said Mas
2 gle simply.
ALP sharply.
well, all but his real name. = = 81
What is he? A Yankee? A prize
fighter? A Lion Comiquc? Or a South
African millionairc?"
Hes got some money. ! don't know
whether he's a millionaire" said Maggie,
soberly.
Where did you meet him? Out in
America? Did you promise to marry
him there?'
"If you'd ask one question at q limo,
/ could answer you better. However,
perhaps it's better not to answer you
at all. It's enough that hos rich, that
4 he wants to marry me. and that papa
and Claudia mean that no shall.
'Ah, that explains 1t. That's why
Claudia has giben me tho cold shoulder
SO persistently. And that's why I was
sent back to town last night?" e
Maggie nodded solemnly.
claudia wired to him to come down
+ and he wired back TO say that no was
coming. So I had to ask you to &c
i away"
Deverill b5hnced off his seat.
1.-THE idea of treating me like that!'
cried he Indignantly. "she used mo,
suppose. to force this kentucky Jim L
come forward?"
Maggie nodded again
That's IT, said she ITO make hm
come up to the scratch papa calls II"
Deverill stamped angrly up and dowr
the room. But Maggie, who was recover
ing her usual light hearted serenity II
the presence of her lover sat back
clasped her hands and looked at HIN
with demurely laughing eyes.
"And he did como UP to the scratch
she added quietly.
A|C'SAi't ShSPPSo sioi IS lCSl pIaulGN
firmly. his hands In his pockets. ant
frowned down upon her majesticany.
''Oh. he did. did he? This clustering
staggering. bloated. vulgar. overdressed
blatant. ostentatious, money-grubbini
African. Yankee or whatever he is, dlt
do you the honor TO ask you to be hi!
wifc?''
Maggie bowed her head slowly.
''IIe did. Only he isn't bit like nj
that you know. He's very nice" Deyeril
growled. "Only--hes not quite SO mic
as you'
9! dare say!"
cat least I begin to wonder whethe
II I'm right in thinking that" said Maggie
putting he: head on one side and clnspin
one Of her knees affcctonately. / rathe
thought you'd be ovcrjoycd at tho homo
] was doing you, in wanting to MARI,
you when I could marry a rich man.
az like that. I'm rich man myself
at least shall be some day." sal
Dcver!!l.
mo you won't. If you marry me. 70
don't know what your uncle said TO me.
that night IN the train. If you were t
nm cha xlnlil a.