The silver messenger., 1912-02-20

asked Marie. innocently.
He does."
how can you be so sure, Freddyf"
DO not see him." sternly.
"nat do you mean by coming
every EVENING""
marie, you know very we'll what l
mean. Do you really wish me to tell
you again? /"
NO, no." interrupted Marie hastily.
now can you be 80 absurd?"
10 Haines, the color in the girls
cheeks was madGening.
Come into the garden" he pleaded.
i cannot-there is Loren!"
staring at you like blinking owl.
rut your picture on the piano while
you are gone and he will never miss
you! Come out with me, dear, just
this once!"
Don't. Freddy" murmured the girl,
don't make me want to go!"
"Marie!" he cried, crushing her hand
under the music sheets.
Just this once, then" she said,
glancing hurriedly toward her mother.
Bring Miss Vera, Dawson, and
come out into the garden" called
Haines lightly, as he drew a scarf
about the girls shoulders.
When Loren looked at her question
lngly Vera rose quickly
What shame for Marie to leave
him like this" she thought.
1T is charming evening for a
STROLL" she said aloud, noting how his
fingers bungled as he spread the soft
pink folds Of her shawl about her.
Dawson walked stifAy down the
path.
| Your sister seems very fond Of
, Haines, and he of her." he observed.
brushing off a garden seat for her.
: DO you think there is an understand
ing?"
"Oh, no." cried Vera, much distress.
r el. Marie means nothing. 1t is just
> her way to seem so happy and bright
t IF she really means nothing, l fear
t there will be a very disappointed
: young man" he answered indifferently
$ sitting down beside her
? "But he has no right to feel that
she cares about him." declared Vera.
: Il did not suppose you could be sc
unkind, Miss Vera" he answered in
g surprise. How can a man help hop
" ing that girl will return his affection
even if she does give him no encour
4 agement? l very much fear you dt
|. not know what love is likel"
"Oh." said Vera, with a sob in he
+ voice
e The young man sat in uncomfort
r able silence.
'I used to think love was beauti
I full thing, but now l think it is cruel,
\ said the girl at last little wearily
There seems to be so much trouble
N Every one seems to love the wron'
person, and no one is to blame. Ever.
\ one loves Marie, yet she cannot low
\ them all in return, and some one l
\ hurt"
5 Unconsciously she placed her han
! protectively upon his sleeve.
7 And you are sorry, Vera?"
V "Yes," she breathed.
q "You are sorry for me-" he asked
; covering her hand with his own.
"Oh, l do not need to be sorry TO
: you," she cried in distress. "Believ
me. Marie is not so Indifferent to yo
!, as she may seem! Only have littl
: patience with her, Loren"
. But it is not Marie that I low
J child. What made you think love
u herr"
= "You came toto see her!'
Because 1t was the only way
y could see you, dear little girl. Do yo
suppose they would have let me in
I had come openly to call on yo'
Vera, can you care for such an awl
ward. silent fellow as 1?'
"You are not awkward objecte
ID the girl. then stopped in confusion.
Ia .I am awkward and silent" he r
20 peated. "and I have outdone myse
in YOUR presence, because | am SO co
scious of my own unworthiness. B'
m dear. want you-I never wanted an
II one else for my wife and l never sna
&c. I have waited months for a chance
get near you, but wanted IN vain Il
Cd til thought of paying court to Mari
lv Then when l saw to what dlsadvar
age I showed among the other fellow
n I lost courage to ask you.
"a "Oh. Loren," said the girl with
or happy laugh
~ Marie coming silently and miserao
" along the path. paused in astonis
g ment at sight of her gentle little s.
W ter in Loren Dawson's arms.
FREDDY" she cried, turning 10 u
-, silent Young man beside her with su
~ w den Joyous gladness, I'll take oa
o snl everything l said! Come. let US
~ face the maternal displeasure toge'
W. er!"