The commonwealth., 1905-11-16
, A Great, Mistake :

OUT; and Miss Stanford stood several
minutes just where he had left her. a
grave, thoughtful look coming into her
eyes, a compressed, almost merciless
expression gathering on her firmly
closed lips.
Then she heard voices from some
one descending the stairs, then Leila
or, as she was always called, Lallie-
Forrest came down, followed by Mrs.
Rivers. and Duke and Barbara stepped
away from where she was, that they
might not see her, yet where her eager,
jealous eyes could watch Lallie For
rests sweet, serious dignity of manner
as Duke Rivers walked beside her to
the carriage that had just driven up
to the mount, and was in waiting.
Five minutes later, before the car
r1age was lost 20 her gaze down the
shady turnpike. old Mr.. Rivers came
ina fine, handsome, courtly old gen.
tleman of sixty, whose eyes lighted at
sight Of her, as he went across the
room to where she stood.
"Well, my little girl! 1t is within
one minute of the time when said
s'OOAA NOAAC W ACOA yOu tCA4 UuC W uClu-
er or not you would accept an old
mans love, and his name, and his
home. Barbara! my darling, may
hope?''
For she had bewitched him. and
all his magnificent fortune. his prince
~ home, the grand old name, the unas-
saflable position as his wife and mis-
tress Of Broadacres, were lying at her
feet, to be taken or-rejected.
1t was a wonderful streak of for
tune, and Barbara had told herself
| so, over and over, in the twenty-four
hours since Mr.. Rivers had made his
offer Of marriage to her.
A wonderful piece of good luck. only
handsome Duke had been nearer the
truth than even Barbara had dared
whisper to herself when he had said
that for such as her love should be
lord of all.
And-she never could, by any possi-
bility, care for Dukes grandfather,
with all his courtly manliness, and his
riches, and his position, because-she
loved the grandson, the magnificent
young fellow who was confidently ex-
pected to make love to, and marry.
Lallie Forrest.
And Barbara felt a great, wrench
ing pain at her heart that was a
strange commingling of anger, and dis
appointment, and jealousy, and mis-
cry, as she imagined Duke and Miss
Forrest off riding together in the sweet
May sunshine.
Mr.. Rivers gently Interrupted her
wandering thoughts.
"Well, Barabara! Remember have
been patient for twenty -four hours.
! and now l want to know how it is to
be. Child, can you let me have you
for my blessing, my treasure? Can
you come to me and love me with all
your fresh, young heart? Because,
| unless you can. dear. 1 would rather
you would frankly tell me what will
be a sore distress to me"'
To be mistress of Broadacres To
| own the very house and carriage with
| which Lallie Forrest was riding that
| minute. To rise higher than the
naughty woman who paid her fifty
dollars month for services rendered.
To have diamonds and be able to sign
| unlimited checks-shouid she?
If she could only crush down that
fierce longing for Duke Rivers-if
only
We shall be very pleasant fam
lily circle" Mr.. Rivers said. "You
are aware that Duke and Laliie will
be married in Il few months, and un-
less you consent to be my little wife,
shall be very lonely"
He smiled down in her suddenly
swift-paling face, and for just one
| anguished little minute her breath
seemed leaving her lungs, her heart
seemed as if grasped in a cruel iron
hand, and then it was over, and she
smiled i'll answer.
cit is because I cannot comprehend
| why you should want me, Mr.. Rivers!
If you really do"
She had no need to finish her SEN
tence, for Mr.. Rivers drew her to him
| in sudden, glad embrace.
"My own little love! You never, new
/; er shall regret this. If ever a woman
experienced what it was to be an old
mans darling, it shall be you, my Bar
! bara"
| And, after she had escaped to her
room, she walked up and down, up and
down with a white, drawn face that
would have horrified both of the two
men, with her small, fair hands tight
~ clinched, trying to beat down the
| jealous longing for Duke Rivers, with
his handsome, eager eyes. and thrill
| ling, passionate voice, and masterful
way that had completely conquered
| her.
Once that evening she went up to
j Mr.. Rivers as he sat at an open win
dow, in pleading little way that was
absolutely irresistible.
"Please don't mention our-our en-
| gagement, will you? It will be un'
, pleasant for me-until-I get a little
used to it. Wait until l tell you, will
you, please?'
He caressed the fingers that lay 50
lightly and coaxingly on his coat
lave.