, 1908-10-01

dows. the clean rag carpet ON the floor.
The very stiffness chilled him, left
hin Ill at ease. Then he heard the
rustic of iNaida's skirt and turned to
meet her. She was pale from her
weeks Il lursing, and agitated for fear
Of what this unexpected call might
portsnd. Yet to his thought she ap-
psared calm. her manner restrained.
Nor could anything be kinder than her
Arst sreetins. the frankly extended
hand. the words expressive Of vel
como. L.. ri4
Mr.. wynkoop informed mo q few
minutes ago that you had at last re-
csived your orders for the north" she
said, her-Iips slightly trembling. II
wondered II you would leave without
. word Of farewell"
He bowed low. II do not under
stand how you could doubt, for I have
shown my deep interest in you even
from the nrst. II l have lately seemed
to avoid you. II has only been because
! believed you wished 1t So"
There was An embarrassing pause,
~ though neither knew how to get
rOo8n the Interview.
no doubt you are rsjoiced to b
sent on active service again." she said,
at last.
Yes. both a. . soldier and ~ Q
MAJ. Miss MAZDA I am glad to get
into the field again with my regiment,
to do my duty under the nag. and I
am equally ~rejoiced to have something
Nrapr which ~tn farA En- ltyArx w.
thoughts. l had not intended to say
anything Of this kind. but now that I
am with you l simply cannot restrain
the words. This past month has been,
l believe, the hardest l have ever been
compelled to live through. You sim
ply mystify me 80 that l alternately
hope and despair. Your methods are
cruel"
Miner" and she gazed at him with
parted lips. Lieut.. Brant, what can
you mean? What 10 1t ! have dons?"
1T may have been only play to you
and 30 easily forgotten" he went on.
bitterly. But that is a dangerous
game. very certain to hurt some one.
Miss Nadia. your face. your eyes. even
our lips almost continually tell me
one thing: you words another. I
know not which to trust. l never
meet you except to 60 away banned
and bewildered."
You wish to know the TRUTH"
LAY. and for all time! Are you
false or true? Coquette or woman?
Do you simply play with hearts for
idle amusement or is there some true
purpose ruling your actions?"
She looked directly at him, her
hands clasped, her breath almost
sobbing between the parted lips. At
FIRST she could not speak. "Oh, you
hurt me So" she faltered at last. II
did not suppcse you could ever think
~ - ~ II. oh. rr-'-
I I'D not mean It'll You forget how
ysans I am: how very little 1 know
Of the world and its ways. Perhaps I
have not even realized how deeply in
earnest you were. have deceived my
self into believing you were merely
amusing yourself with me. Why, In
deed, should l think otherwise?"
d Il. love you" he said. with simple
honesty. Il seek you for my wife"
She started at these frankly spoken
words. her hands partially ~concealing
hsr face, her form trembling. "oh. I
wish you hadn't said that! 1t 10 not
because l doubt you any longer; not
that l fail to appreciate all you offer
me. But 1t il so hard to appear un-
grateful, to give nothing in return for
20 vast . gift"
Then 1t is true that you do not
love ms?"
The blood famed suddenly up into
her lace. but there was no lowering Of
the eyes. no shrinking back. She was
too honest to play the coward before
him.
II shall not attempt to deceive you."
she said. with . slow impressiveness
instantly carrying conviction. This
has already progressed 10 far that i
new owe you complete frankness.
Donald Brant, now and always. living
or dead. married or single. wherever
lifs may take Us. l shall love you"
Their syes were meeting. but she
held up her hand to restrain him from
the, one step forward.
mo, no; l have confessed the truth;
I have opened freely to you the great
secret Of my heart. With 1t you must
- content to leave me. There Is moth
ing moro that l can give you. absolute
" nothing. ! can never be your wife:
I hope. for your sake and mine. that
We never meet again."
stood like . statue. his fact
Grown white. He did not in the least
doubt her full meaning Of renuncia-
ton.
You will, At least. tell me- why?" 1t
was all that would come to his dry
lips.
She sank back upon the sofa ~
though the strength had suddenly de-
serted her body. her eyes shaded By
Al upliftsd hand.
Il cannot tell you. l have no words,
m coura~a Won will learn some day