Evening journal., 1905-06-07

probably be very busy for the next
two or three days"
"Was that the reason you did not
come to see US last night?" asked
Mad a trife bitterly.
'Last night? No; II had
headache"
Doubtless your new duties as
fanee prevented you also. AoR is
the attractive Miss Kitty ?1
"Confound Miss Kittyi Doyou
believe that cock and bull story, too,
Mad? ! thought you had more
sense than to credit every story that
the gossips in this internal place set
going" growled Bernard.
a sudden smile crossed Madehne's
piquant face, but she repressed it
instantly.
"Why, I thought she was ssuch
an intelligent lady-so well balanced
and methodical-quite the vision of
your dreams, - she added, a spice Of
malice in her tone.
"She is a thousand miles from be-
ing the lady Of my dreamsP de-
clared the lieutenant warmly, look
ing earnestly at his pretty compan-
ion. "She2 Neverl She has none
of the charm, the freshness, the wit,
that would attract me. l want at
least a show Of tenderness in the
woman to whose mercies / intrust
my heart-some one who will love
me, if only little. Besides, Mac" "
he added, suddenly restraining his
impetuous outbreak, you might
have trusted me enough to know
that l would have told you before
any one else if it was anything seri-
Gus. DO you trust me at all, Mad p
he asked after a pause.
The young girl looked at him in
surprise.
Because if you do" Bernard con-
tinued without waiting for an an
swer, Il want to ask you a question.
May II"
Madeline nodded her head in con-
sent.
''Tell me, then, is it true that you
have encouraged young Erskine?"
The colonePs daughter moved i'm
patiently, but Bernard braved her
displeasure.
Il cannot tell YOU how much ]
hope it is not SC" he went on. "Bob-
by is a good chap, but not at all the
kind of fellow for YOU. You would
never be happy with him in the
the world. You can't depend
upon him for an instant. I realize
that what l am saying and doing
may seem unworthy of an officer
and a gentleman, but, oh, Mad, / de
sire your happiness more than any
thing else in the world, and / cannot
bear to see you throw yourself away
upon a man who l know is nol
worthy" :"
The lieutenant stopped. He was
pale, but his voice rang clear anC
earnest.
'eThank you," said Mad after 4
slight pause. Il did not know tina
Mr.. Erskine was desirous of making
me his wife. Certainly 1 have nev
er, never given him the smallest en-
couragement in such an idea."
She was silent for a moment anC
then added dreamily:
"If ever l marry it will be with ;
man to whom / can give my who'll
confidence, some one whose com
panion ! will be both glad and prouC
to become and who will be gentle
and kind with me"
Bernard looked at her. He haC
never seen her in this mood before
She had always fouted him when
ever he had tried to be,serious.
"What a brute you must thinl
me, Mad!" he murmured contritely
"How could l ever have been sucl
an ass as to scold you?
/ Madeline moved her hands in
pretty gesture Of denial, and he
eyes spoke eloquently. Bernar'
hooked at her, scarce daring to hope
Behind the blue eyes lay a love to-
strong to be denied, and the younl
man seized both the white hands il
his. Just then a deep voice ex
claimed above them:
"Seems to me that for two enc
mics you are not doing a killing
business this morningp
"Oh, colonel, colonel" cried Ber
nard, turning toward the piazza
"wil would YOU
'SWill 1, would / what?" laughel
Colonel Gregory.
"Now you are jesting with me
Give me Madeline for my wifel
beg you. / love her"
The colonel called to Mrs. Greg
ory, who was inside.
"My dear, what is your advice /?
he asked, smiling. 'sHere is Ber
nard, who declares he wants Made
line for his wife because he love
her. Do you think it can be true?
Mrs. Gregory looked happily a
her daughter.
"What do you say, dear? Ar
you not afraid of such a severe hus
band?"
Madeline glanced up to where he