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

ght, 1905, by Central News and Press Exc
1 and remember, 1t seems tho best thing
| for you, too, that you should forget me!
| And so sho let things slide on, and 1
didn't quito understand, until-untll I
found III laid myself, and that we'd all
laid ourselves, indeed, under such deep
obligations that
She hesitated, and Deverll went on
for her.
II sen," said he sulenly.
No words were needed, indeed, for
hmfto understand how the artful Claudia
and the impccunious Major had profitcd
by the generosity OF poor Maggics rich
admircr, until the whole family had put
themselves under lnomentary obligations
which gave Kentucky Jim very deciucd
hold upon them. %
When come to think Of it, said
she presently, after long pause, II
think YOU would be very wise to decide
to give me up and to let mo marry this
man, or get out OF my difficulties as
best cant!
IIc looked at her and saw that her
great eyes were full Of tears. He slid
along the table till he was close to hor
and laid his hand tendcrly on her Shout
der.
81 WISH" said he, "that I could marry
you openly. Would you, Maggie, mind
liiC aIoN' IL i III ICGNy W ioSo NY ~ 70.
poets. arc YOU willing to share MY
luck?" "a
But she shook her head.
NO" said she. because I think we
could do better. It isn't that I'm SO
very greedy, Bob; but think do rather
dread all tho horrid things that would
happen
why, do you think this man would
press you, your family, for-for--'''
lie was reluctant to finish his sem
tence, but it was not necessary, for poor
Maggie understood and finished 1t for
him:
"For all the money he's lent papa, and
spent on us,' she said slowly. Eyes, I
think that's just what he would do"
HE must be an awful bounder." said
HeVerlll sharply.
Maggie shook her head.
mo. he's not that. But-ho was led
on, You see"
Maggie, 1 wonder how you could"
The incrcdulity, the dismaysin his tone
broke her down land she burst into pas
sionate tears
II can't explain 1t all. Bob wish T
could" sobbed she. But the truth is that
didn't know how things were going till
last night. didn't, indeed. didn't know
till last night that he wanted to marry
did"
Deverill started Mt her stupidity. 1t
seemed inconceivable that she should
have allowed herself to drift into such
a position, without needing or caring how
she was to got out of it. 1t showed q want
OF proper pride, want Of common per-
ception, which he found it hard to re-
concilc with what he know of Maggle's
nuickness and of her sense of indc-
! pendence.
J 1T all seems very odd he said, land
how will 1t help you out of your difficulties
If you don't let him know you're married
to me He'll go on worrying you to marry
him just the same!"
Maggie looked up with an expression in
her eyes, which showed him how strong
| her fears of Kentucky Jim had been.
"Ah. but he Won be able toy said she
| in an excited whisper; when once you re
the wife Of one man, all the fathers and
| sisters In tho world can't make you the
| wife Of another, can they?'
| Deverill felt n sort of tightening Of the
heart at the girlish timidty and docility
| that peeped out through these words. And
he began to understand what a perfectly
possible thing 1t still Is, in this civilized
twentieth century Of ours, to marry a
| girl against her will to a man she does
not care for. The pressure of family
opinion, of family difficulties, Of coaxing,
! of threats: he saw how a net can be
drawn round a young girls feot, from
which only outside help can free her.
And suddenly no bent down. threw
his arms round hor, and crushed her
up, hat and feather and all, against his
| breast.
Maggie, we'll do it!'' he whispered.
| flush. hush, Maggie"
ooh! Oh! thank you. thank you, Bob!
But don't crush my haiti
Perhaps no thought tho little feminine
ending as touching as the burst of graft
tude at the beginning Of her speech.
| lie laughed. and kissed her, and then
said sharply:
But mind, no more OF this fncry
/ Maggie. You've got to come and DO
married In your old clothes, and you've
got 70 give all the presents this man
gave you back again."
| Back again Oh, Bob. then he'd know
there was something happcning!'
| Now Devcrill had made UP his mind
that Kentucky jim should know with
Ill speed what had happened. as soon as
ho had right TO speak. But he thought
1t more prudent to DO silent as to his
Intentions until he should be in a posi-
ton to take high hand with Maggie.
| We'll, You may hand them over to
/ Slaudln, X you IKE, Tor the present |;
1 but In tho meantime you arc to accept
no more. Promise me that
Very we'll, Bob / promise, said she
almost in a whisper.
And from the tmidity of her tone,
the low voice, the sly peep round as Il
to see that she was not overheard, Dew
Grill saw plainly how cowed the girl had
been by her relations.
"And what part has your mother
taken In all ths?" he presently asked
abruptly, remembering that he had seen
nothing of Mrs. carey-Brown when he
went down to Brighton.
oh, she's gone to Hastings with
Aline They've given up the flat, you
know she added in u hurried whisper.
Dever!ll wondered whether this was
by order.xof Kentucky Jim. but he could
= not ask questions upon such delicate
matter.
And she and-and he' went on Mag
gie don't get on SO we'll together as
he and papa do" =
This Devcrill could we'll understand
There was about the Major. loose-prin-