Connecticut western news., 1907-12-26
FOR SALE.

pAOlllS lliO anu iiS, AiASa
softly the waves of her brown hair.
Elwood, lounging in the shadows of
dusky corner, watched her silently.
There was bitterness in her smile;
there was ranking bitterness in his
heart. The windows were dropped o
bit at the top, and through them stole
the odor of warm, wet earth, the in
tangible sweetness Of a spring night,
the hint of a thousand growing things.
He moved uneasily in his chair. The
end was at hand, and yet he shrank
from it as from a physical blow.
PLAY something, Katherine" he
commanded shortly.
The girls white hands ran lightly
over the keys. She played softly-bits
of Grieg. snatches from Dvorak, and
presently a minor composition that
was new to him. He listened appreci-
atively, and when the last note died
away he turned to the girl
Thanks" said he. Il think you
have made it easier for both of u.s."
She looked up quickly, There was u
puzzled expression on her face.
What do you mean" she demanded.
II mean" said he, speaking very
slowly and with unpleasant emphasis.
"that 1 think 1 can now say those
things that are expected of me with
out saying a host of other things that
are on the end of my tongue. And
think, perhaps, you can listen more
calmly to what / say. Katherine, l
congratulate you,' he ended abruptly.
She looked at him questioningly.
"Your mother has told me-" he went
on. II imagine she took considerable
satisfaction In telling me. 1 sincerely
trust your wealth and your social posi-
ton as Lady Laylor-Winters will be
all you anticipate. Perhaps that is the
greatest happiness could wish YOU"
The open bitterness in his voice
brought the angry color to her cheeks.
There was a flash of fire in the eyes
she turned to him.
Thanks" she said sardonically. II
scarcely expected this generosity from
you"
Elwood bit his lips.
Ibid you expect generosityF' he ask
ed.i do you deserve ft?"
Lie cOlOE ldueu lIOIu tue gill .
cheeks.
81 need generosity from you" she
said entreatingly.
She swung about to the piano and
began playing very softly again. FL
wood rose from his chair and, crossing
the room, stood beside her.
"And this is the end of it." he said
musingly.
The music rippled on. The girl said
nothing.
"This is the end Of It," he said again
-"the end of that long dream summer
in the mountains, the end of those
days Of cathedral hunting in England,
the end of that eternal spring in Ven
ice 1t was only dream, then, and this
is the awakening"
He paused, then after a moment
went on again:
do you remember that night on the
Grand canal-the myriad stars in the
sky and the myriad stars in the water?
Have you forgotten those days in st.
Marks? Did they mean so very little
to you? Do you realize that you must
never, never think of them again when
you are Lady Taylor winter"
"Don'tr' said the girl quickly.
"But 1 can remember Them" he said.
"It will be no disloyalty for me to re-
member. Perhaps you are willing to
trade your memories for so many thou
sand pounds and a paltry title, but
there isn't wealth enough on earth to
buy mine"
The girls playing came to an alb
rupt ending. She swung about and
faced the man beside her.
isn't it bad enough to be sold like
q horse or prize dog without being
tainted about it?" she asked hotly.
"Why do you permit the sale?" he
said.
1--WE. are poor-oh, so poor! When
father died there was little left" The
tears sprang to her eyes.
Good Lord!" cried Elwood. "Then
you're not doing this on your own ac-
count?" H
She looked at him almost pleadingly.
Its Sir Williams money" she said
breathlessly as If she feared some one
might overhear.
Elwood laughed in sheer relief.
isn't my money just as good" he
asked
The girls face flushed scarlet.
ooh. how could you" she cried in
protest. How could your
"How could L what?" he said help
lessly.
"Talk that way about money-bar-
gaining after those days you were
speaking about" she said brokenly.
II was willing to bargain with Sir
William, but you-you"- Her voice
failed her.
He looked at her thoughtfully for a
moment, then he laid his hand gently
on her shoulder.
"Do you imagine for an instant
shall let you marry him?" he asked.
"You must" she said weakly.
II mustn't" he declared stoutly.
"But Sir William she began doubt
fully.
"T'm SiDcere1v sorry for Sir William