The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-10-08

worship. had never found words to tell
her she was beautiful. and Bott was too
grossly selfish and duh TO have thought
of it. Poor Sleeny who would have
given his life for her. had not wit
\ enough to pay her a compliment. Ofitt,
whose love was as little generous as the
hunger OF a tiger. who wished only TO
get her into his power. who cared not
in the least by what means he should
accomplish this. who was perfectly will
ing to have her find ont ali his false
hoods the day after her wedding, RELYING
upon his brute strength to retain her
| then-this conscienceless knave made
more progress by these words than Sam
by months Of the truest devotion Yet
the impression ne made was not alto
| gether pleasant. Thirsting for admfra-
ton she did, there was in her mind
| an indIStinct consciousness that the man
| was taking a liberty; and in the sudden
rush of color TO her cheek and brow at
Ofitt's words. there was at first almost
as much anger as pleasure. But she
had neither the dignity nor the training
required for the occasion. and all the
reply she found was:
"Oh, Mr.. OMIT. how can you say sor'
II say So" he answered. with the
same unsmiling gravity, because it's
the fact I have been all over the world.
1 have seen thousands of beautiful
ladies. even queens and markisses. and
1 never yet saw and 1 never expect to
! see such beauty as yours. Miss Maud
| Matchin, of Bufhand''
She still found no means to silence
him or defend herself. She said. with an
uneasy laugh. Il am sure I don't see
where the wonderful beauty is"
] That's because your modesty holds
over your beauty. But see where It is
It's in your eyes. that's like two stars
OF the night. in your forehead, that
looks full OF intellect and sense; in
your rosy cheeks and smiling lips; in
your pretty little hands and feet
Here she suddenly rolled up her hands
in her frilled white apron. and. sitting
up straight, drew her feet under her
gown. AT this performance they both
laughed loud and long. and Maud's
nerves were relieved.
What geese we are" she said at last.
You know 1 don't believe a word you
say
"Oh. yes, you do. You've got eyes
and a Iooking-glass Come now. be
honest You know you never saw a
girl as pretty as yourself. and you never
saw a man that didn't love you on
sight
81 don't know about that
Don't all the men you know love
your
There is one man I know hates me.
and 1 hate him.
Who is it? This is very interesting"
Maud was suddenly seized with a
desire TO tell an adventure, something
that might match OfitI-s tales Of won-
der.
You'll never telI?''
Hope 1 may die
Its Arthur Farnhamw She had
succeeded in her purpose, for OMIT
stared at her with looks of amazement
He once wanted to be rather too at
tentive to me, and 1 did not lke 1t
So he hates me, and has tried TO injure
me-
..And you don't Ike him very well?.'
~ don't 1 would owe a good deal to
the man who would give him a beat
ing"
'.All right. You give me-what?-a
kiss, or a lock of your hair, and he shall
have his thrashing.'
You do it and bring me the proofs,
and We will talk about It
We'll, I must be on he said, pick
ing up his hat. He saw on her face a
slight disappointment. He put out his
hand to take leave. She folded her
arms
You needn't be IN such a hurry" she
said, poutinsly. Mother won't be back
for ever SO long. and was half asleep
over my book when you came in
"Oh, very WELL" he said. That suits
me-"
He walked deliberately across the
room. picked up a chair. and seated MIN
self very near to Maud She felt her
heart beat with something like terror,
and regretted asking him to stay. He
had been very agreeable. but she was
sure he was going to be disaSreeabls
now. She was afraid that If he grew
disagreeable she could not manage him
as she could the Others Her worst fears
were realized with his first words.
Miss Matchin. If you ask me to stay
longer you must take the consequences
| I am going to say to you what I never
said to mortal woman before: / love you.
and I want you for my wife,
She tried to laugh. ''Oh, you DOR
but her face grew pale. and her hands
trembled.
Yes. do: and am going to have
you, too"
He tried to speak lightly, but his
Vo 6h of i0dsed IL spite phs f Ds h
herself with an effort Perhaps III
have something to say about that, Mr.
Confidence
''Of course; excuse me for talking Ike
a fool Only have me. and you shall
have everything else. All that wealth
can buy shall be yours. Wen leave this
dull place and go around the world seek
ing pleasure when IL can be- found and
everybody will envy me my beaufeous
bride
That's very pretty talk. MIR. OMIT, but
where is all this wealth to come from ?''
He did not resent the question, but
heard 1t gladly. as imposing a condition
he might meet The money is all right
II L lay the money at your feet, will
you go with me? Only give me your
, premise
81 promise nothing" said Maud; but
when you are ready TO travel, perhaps
you may find me IN a better humor''
The words seemed to fire him. That's
, promise enough for me-, he cried and
put out his arms toward her. She
struck down his hands, and protested
with sudden, catfish energy:
a Qtnna Don't