The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1910-01-20

your sister" he replied. mildly. How
I'D You know that l was here?
"Ah, never mind that. Who are
you waiting for, Lord Netherville?
"Not anyone. as far as | know l
wish you would give up cross-ques-
honing me. my dear lady, 1 really don't
like it,
And I wish you would give up tell
Ing me lies. Do you suppose 1 be-
ieve that you are speaking the truth
when you say that you are not here to
meet anyone? If it is true. then come
away with me, and let Us have some
tea"
Il can't do that. I want to stay
here
Then come into the next room, at
all events. and let us look at some or
the other pictures together"
Il can't do that. either. I've got TO
stop where I am
Than l am right, and you have
come to meet some woman here.
cried Mrs. Vine, angrily.
The situation was becoming comic,
and yet Netherville really did not know
how to parry her accusations she
was looking right md left, with quick.
angry glances. All at once she cried:
-Ah-h? Now 1 know Here comes
the lady, of course. Why, it is that
girl the men are all off their heads
about this seasoni-that Miss Gar
landl"
My dear Marion, don't be ridiculous
don't even know Miss Garland.
have never been introduced TO her.
How can you say so, Why. she is
coming straight up to you; she is smil-
ing; she is actually holding out her
hand. Oh, you bad, deceitful wretch.
How can you say that you don't know
her? She knows you, at any rate,"
Netherville followed the direction of
her eyes. There, sure enough. was the
beautiful girl, whom he knew only by
sight. making her way through the
crowd straight towards him. She held
up her hand. as thought to attract his
attention. and she smiled.
You will introduce me to her at
once. Netherville," whispered Mrs.
Vine. authoritatively. And introduce
me, if you please. as the lady whom
you are going to marry: that will
avoid. all misapprehensions on her
part"
can't introduce you to a lady / don't
know; and as to the other matter. I've
told you over and over again that. al
though 1 am very fond of you. yet 1
can't afford to marry you or any other
woman who hasn't got money enough
to clear off my debts. What nonsense
this is. Why, there must be some mis-
take,"
1t was only when Irene came close to
them, through the crowd that parted
to make way for her. that she perceiv-
ed. for the first time, that the man she
had come to meet was not alone. The
same woman was with him-the wom-
an she had seen him with before-her
arm was twined Familiarity through his.
her shoulder rested against his. Sure
ly she must be his vife.-for who but
a wife would sit like that in a public
place? He had brought his wife with
him, then. to mock at fer misery, and
to glory over her discontinue,
Her outstretched hand sank nerve
lessly down by her side-the smile up
on her parted lips died away into dis
may, the glad welcome in her lovely
eyes changed into positive horror. She
turned quickly away, and as she did
so Netherville caught sight of the ash
en-greyness OF the fact that but a mo-
ment ago had been radiant with the
loveliest colors Of youth and Of health.
He sprang from the low seat.
THE poor girl is going to faint" he
cried, and, regardless of the remon-
strances Of the over-affectionate Wild
ow. he hurried after Irene's retreating
form. as she tried feebly. with falter-
ing steps. to make her way back
through the crowd.
Can I not be of use to you, Miss
GarIand?" he inquired. lifting his hat
to her as he reached her side, and, for
getting altogether in the impulse of
humanity that as he had told Mrs.
Vine. he had never been introduced to
her. and had therefore no right to adj
i'll; pray allow me to escort you to the
door Won't you take my ar1n?"
She lifted her eyes to his. there was
In them such depth of misery, such
a world of reproach and despair, as
made him draw back bewildered and
dismayed Why on earth did she look
at him like that? What had he done
I'm simply coming to her assistance. To
arouse such a very tragedy in that
beautiful pale face.
His own eyes became fIIed-not
with the conscious guilt which perhaps
she expected to see in them, but with
a puzzled and frightened express
sion, that increased ever more and
more when she began to speak.
II. take your arm?-after this cruel
INSULT" she said, in a smothered voice
Insult, Miss Garland ?-cruel in
suit" he replied. repeating her words
In utter Amusement. What on earth
have | said or done to insult you? How
can / possibly suppose that I would in
suit any woman-least OF all one
whom / have long admired at a dis
lance, and have always heard spoken
of in the highest terms? Why should
my simple offer be taken as an in
sult?"
oh" she cried. passionately, you
said truly that you were changed; YOU
are indeed right l find you changed
beyond belief-almost past recogni.
ton. 1t is the same face, indeed, bu
no longer the same-why, your very
expression is altered, the tone of your
voice, somehow, is no longer what ii
was. and as to your actions,-oh how
is it possible that you, of all men or
earth, can trample on the feelings of q
woman who loved you, and drag hel
down as you have done. through The
mire of such bitter shame as this crue
meeting; that was evidently planpec
with no other object than to humiliate
me in the eyes of the happy woman
for whose sake you deceived and de-
serted me?"
They were walking side b. side to-
wards the entrance. and as there wore
poured in a torrent from her lips.
companied by gestures of despair. an
by tears that filled her eyes almost {.
OVERLOOKING, Netherville kept stealina
chances at his companion. at first o.
utter bewilderment, then by degrees, as
she proceeded. with something of com
prehension i'm them.
Daylight seemed all at once to pierce
feebly through the dim fog of all this
to him. unintelligible rigmarole Her,