The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-11-10


roses and the c1ematis, for the girl
who had been his little sweetheart in
/ the golden hours of youth.
| At last she came, a tall, slender
| girl of 20; her brown eyes were wide
with wonder and pleasura.ble expecta-
| ton; her tender lips were parted, and
] the sun cleaned redly in the strands
of her FURNISHED hair. Could this regal
and exquisite woman be the little
/ Hilda of five short years since?
| Charlie rose from his seat, his heart
F., leaping, and they looked into each
others eyes; then her soft hand was
! clasped in his, and she was murmur-
! ing her Fluctuations.
! "You are quite a famous man now,
Captain Midwinter," Hilda said softly.
/ Everybody has been talking about
you
J "Oh!" he exclaimed awkwardly; then
he shrugged his shoulders. Il don't
want to be famous in that way;
never sought it; it was thrust upon
me. and 1 hate soldering"
| Hilda was regarding him interested
/ ly; then her eyes dropped, and he
blushed little.
/ You have altered very much, Cap
/
| He looked panied.
Don't call me captain-I'm going
to resign We used to be very good
ed II am still the same Charlie Mid
winter, even if 1 have altered outward
ly for the worse"
Il didn't say that she said quickly.
You are bigger, stronger, handsomer.
oh,
, lie''
and he. trembled.
You have changed, too, Hilda. The
beautiful bud has become a glorious
] blossom
She withdrew her hand hastily; in
'er eyes came a look of trouble.
'fHave you seen papa, Mr.. Mid
winter?''
"Yes---he is somewhere near. Hilda,
it was Charlie minute since"
1--WE are grown-up folks now-I for
got for the moment"
Her voice shook. Charlie rose and
stood before her.
"Hilda, have you forgotten our
sweetheart days? They began when
you were a child of II, and for three
happy years I was your slave.''
Hilda 'Seaton was both amazed and
distressed.
."Charlie, / never dreamed of this"
she said. What should child know
of such things? I have only remem-
bered you as a pleasant companion,
who ministered very good-naturedIy
to an exacting girl. You were merely
something of use TO me-something for
me to play WITH
Good heavens!" gasped Charlie. !
"And have felt that you belonged to !
me all these years. OF course 1 have
know of such things? But it never
young" He sat down again and smil-
ed into her troubled eyes. well, we
may, perhaps, be able to begin just
where we left off, Hilda. 1 loved you
then, and 1 love you now
Her lips moved but no words were
spoken. She gazed at a flashing ring
upon one of the fingers of her left
hand. 1t was tremulous with many
fires.
II have never thought of you,
Charlie Midwinter, only as vague
she said sorrowfully.
Romance and love have no part in
my life; 1 have never believed in them
out of books
Il don't believe you," he rudely an
swered.
Nevertheless, what I have said IS
rue. L am engaged to be married to
/ most estimable man, but no thought
If love has ever entered my heart
He watched her gloomily.
Then / pity you, Miss Seaton. L
AVE been living in a FOOLS paradise,
md I pity myself, too. I have idealiz-
d my little playmate, and it is a Bit
er shock to discover that my saint
$ of the commonest clay. OF course,
'ou are marrying some poor devil for
is money!" he sneered.
Hildas face famed resentfully, and &
hen became deadly white.
I'VE are very poor-my father has J
pecuIated unwisely, and 1 am grateful
or the help of the man whom I have t
to wed-Mr. Donald Hyde"
Charlie laughed maliciously.
"Oh, 1 remember him-a little mon t
ey of a fellow, who parts his hair t
/ the middle. l wish him joy with his y
argainl His father made money in
ne potted-meat line, believe" s
You curl" the girl said, her eyes a
ashing. d
He writhed for a moment, and there V
as an ugly look on his face. 1t pass s,
/ away in a flash. d
Yes. Miss Seaton, I am cur, and W
N times worse. Don't insult any "
ongrel dog by comparing me with n
I'M 1t is no business of mine to in a
rfere in your affairs. I have Great p1
l a tiny world of my own, and peo- lie
ed it with phantoms. You see what pt
fool I am, and I pray that you will
rgive me. I shall always keep sacred ~
lie memory of the little Hilda of my eI
,yhood, and I wish to heaven 1 had Ell
ever come back to England" gi
He paced the verandah; Hilda sat fo
,rfectly still. Both could hear the
aar-cut voice of the vicar talking TO
d Mrs. James. Then they saw him sc
aIking along the drive with the lady. in
$ head bent forward, his hands fold Y
behind him. sh
NO. 1 oughtn't to blame you, Miss ca
atom Charlie Midwinter went on. fr
You are yourself. and have nothing W
hatever to do with the angel of nv m