The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1917-03-01

The suddenness Of the movement drew
all eyes back to him. His w~lne-fushed
face had gone white. He met the won
dering look Of the man opposite, and
forced a smile.
II have still another announcement
to make" he said, zone that you will
all admit to be still more pleasant than
the delightful ncws Of our gallant
friends III to wider fields Of
service. Gentlemen-and lady-per-
NIT me to remind you that all the
world loves n lover. This being true,
1t follows that I'LL the world must dou-
bly, love a pair Of lovers. 1t is my
privilege and delight TO be able to an
nounce that, as | nm not at present
free to engage myself, the other mem
Der Of the pair, our charming hostess,
has graclously given her promise to
wait for me-"
He caught up his champagne glass,
which the Indian boy had just re6lled.
Gentlemen, here's to the ~loveliest
girl in the world, the lady who has
given me her true promise !"
The commissioners rose-Dupont
rose. Hardy sat as If stunned, his eyes
fixed upon Marie's face In n strained,
half-lncredulous stare. She was very
pale. She seemed to shrink. Yet she
! mnde no attempt to deny Ynnderyyn's
statements. Hardy stood up with the
other men and, for the first time that
evening, he emptied his champagnt
glass.
"Youth to youth he murmure1.
Meeting V~andervyn's exultant smile,
he drew in n deep breath. and his voice
rang clear and steady: "You are to
be congratulated, sir. | wish you the
great good fortune that you may In all
things prove worthy Of the lady's
trust"
Vandervyn's flushed face crlmsoned
but whether with shame or anger coui,i
not be told. Marie had risen, and her
tactfulness diverted attention from the
rivals.
"The coffee and cigars will be served
in the parlor," she announced.
Vandervyn somewhat hastily led the
way to the other room. Hardy, being
the farthest away, followed behind the
others. When he came to the door he
coolly closed and bolted II.
"Captain!" breathlessly exclaimed
Marie. "What will they Think"
"Most of them are beyond thinking,
and they have the whisky bottle" he
replied. He faced about, aud came
back to her.
She shrank before the look In his
eyes.
"You-you have no right! !" she MUIR
INJURED. II will go"
mot until you have heard me There
may be no other opportunity for me to
see you alone before / go away" he
said. II do not wish to reproach you.
Yet you must realize that your failure
to tell me Of your promise to him led
Inc to believe / had a fighting chance
"Y0u-do not-ask me to explain
she faltered.
"What is there to explalnT he re-
Joined. "You knew that / trusted
your sincerity utterly, and you were
willing to muse yourself with me
while he was away"
"I-you have no right" she sought
to defend herself. ~ never led YOU
to believe"
"You told me nothing Of that prom
ise to him. l thought you-What you
knew / thought you; and all these
weeks, every day How can a woman
look so beautiful-seem SO true and
loving In every word and act-and toy
with the deepest feelings of a man as
you have amused yourself with mine
No, do not attempt to deny the facts
please. 1t will only add to the bitter
ness. / am trying to keep from say
Ing harsher things. ] cannot hide the
fact that you have struck me n severe
blow. 1t would be easier If you hat
not insisted upon my coming here to
night to be made the butt Of his mock
cry"
Marie threw up her head, her eye!
blazing with indignant scorn.
"You can believe that Of me?
thought you n gentleman!" Her voic,