Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1905-05-18
ue recoverea himself with a frowr

He recovered himself with a frown.
"Oh, | am not really engaged to l5es-
sic Smith. She is only coming over to
see her friends in Liverpool"
"And the picnic? And her letters?"
Nellie was triumphant now.
THAT was nothing. he stammered.
Miss Seymour Nellie. II you will only
listen to me. if you will only let me
tell you how love you
Enough Mr.. Paget." she said with
dignity. II wish to hear no more. After
what you have said am sure you are
Smith"
And If were?" he added eagerly.
IF you We're, 1t would make no differ
ence," she answered firmly.
John grew white. He was very much
In earnest. to win her meant so much
to him. a pretty wife. plenty of money.
u freedom from the fear that Bessie
Smith would get him after all.
You are breaking my heart do you
not care that you have spoit my life?"
at Is not right of you to speak like
this" she replied. IF your lire Is spoilt
it Is your own fault. | told you from
the first that could never love you
| and never shall.
There was no MISLEADING her sincerity,
| but he tried his last cast.
IF you will not accept the love Of
fer you. will you accept my name, will
you marry me to save your good
| Nance"
Here -;ellie turned on him. her slight
form drawn to its utmost and u. her
eyes an expression of offended purity.
of outraged womanhood. which eff
| fectually quelled him.
Nothing can be said against my
good name. do not need to shelter 1t
! behind n dishonored shield of a breaker
! of VOWS and a bully"
| l,n,. hn fpr cd nd
left him.
In a fury he cried as she went:
1 You will be sorry for this tomor-
row"
That evening important business
took John to town. and Edith and Mrs.
Paget We're once more in dire perplex-
ity as to the course their curious case
4 of true love" WAS running.
i Nellies spirits rose high. s. G felt the
relief of Johns absence. and she gave
+, herself up To the pleasure of being
alone With Sydney once more.
AT times Johns threat returned to
her mind. but she paid little heed to it.
Tonight she would enjoy herself. to-
morrow she would announce the termi-
nation of her visit, and then either
write or explain. OF come back In her
true character and beg forgiveness.
Poor Sydney was divided between
rapture ana Il rorrible feeling that.
after all. the girl whom he now found
he had grown to love So dearly was not
quite acting she should Surely If 1t
had been anyone else he would have
, said she as flirting with him. and EN-
coul sing him to love her, and that
such conduct in one who was pledged
to another was most reprehensble. He
paced his room for many hours that
. night and his inclusion WIS:
, Mother may have been mistaken and
SO may Edith; John may be telling
lies, but I will stake my life that she
l is Il undetermined pure girl. whose
white soul has never been sulied by ar
unworthy thought or wish" Whicl
f shows that he had done more thar
e stake his life on his belief-he had pu
e all his chance OF happiness on ont
throw.
q The morrow came and even as Mel
e lie was turning over In her mind tn,
exact words in which to take ave o
}. her hostess, thunderbolt fell in thei
h midst. The man-servant announced II
!: loud tone:
h IA young lady wishes to see tn
: Hon. Mrs. Paget on urgent business
d She says her name is Miss Bessi