Show parted lu I 1 allow it if I 1 were you I 1 think it is outrageous P what is outrageous fanny and elliot raised her calm blue eyes to her cousins face why the way ralph leland is acting I 1 saw him myself today to day on the street with may walters well I 1 dont see anything outrageous in a gentleman happening to meet a lady on the street and walking with her happening to meet her cried fanny indignantly its very strange how often ralph leland happens to meet may walters of late but its no use talking to you lu you take everything ab easy one would think you care ralph leland was deceiving you or not and fanny flounced out of the room not care whether ralph was deceiving her or not lucy elliot looked down at ralph delands lelands Le lands engagement ga gement ring sparkling on her finger and her calm blua eyes seemed to light up suddenly and return the sparkle of the precious stone ah fanny little dreamed what ralph leland was to lucy she had given him the first love of her heart no aalph never would deceive her she bad heard a groat many stories about his attention to may walters of late but she was ralphs promised wife bucys lucys thoughts ran on in this strain presently some one entered the room and crossed to where she was sitting A hand rested gently on her head and an airy voice said A penny for your thoughts my love bucys lucys cheeks were like two roses as she looked up and met tho bright handsome face of her lover good evening ralph my thoughts were of you then not worth a penny lucy said ralph earnestly what was it that made lucy shiver and the bright pink fade from her face wont you be seated ralph not this evening lucy ive made I 1 mean I 1 have some business to attend to I 1 can remain but a few minutes after her lover left her lucy sat for some minutes with her hands folded gazing into the fire what terrible feeling was this which came over her As she rose from her chair her eyes caught a white paper which lay on the floor she picked it up it was a folded sheet of note paper A few lines traced in a delicate hand met eer view and she read them in a glance DEAREST RALPH if you love me better than her you will be here this evening at 8 MAY WALTERS neither moan nor cry escaped bucys lucys white lips as she read those lines she stood for a minute as if turned to stone then looking up at the clock on the mantel she hastily left the room it wanted a quarter of 8 and in a few minutes lucy had on her hat and cloak and was hurrying in the direction of may walters A few minutes brisk walking brought her in sight of mays home and she was not a moment too soon she stood still as she saw her love approach and run lightly up the steps of mays dwelling she watched her love until he disappeared within the house then turning away she slowly retraced her footsteps homeward with that feeling in her heart that only those who have loved and lost ever know it was evening lucy elliot sat in the same room where but last night she parted from her lover are you here lucy r it was ralph leland who asked the question yes came in bucys lucys quiet tones ah fanny told me I 1 would find you here and he crossed over to where she was sitting lucy I 1 received a letter from you today to day and our engagement ring what does it mean it means just what it says I 1 want my freedom 1 give you back yours but lucy you give no reason it is comans womans prerogative to change her mind when she pleases you know I 1 flo not care to give you any other reason and lucy laughed lightly and you are sure lucy you wont bes sorry for what you have done quito sure mr leland ralph lelaud drew a breath of relief and in a few minutes more be is whistling merrily on his way to may walters they parted as all lovers part she with her and breaking heart but he rejoicing reio icing to be free bounds like a captive from hia chain and willfully believing she hath found her liberty again or if dark thoughts will cross his mind they are but clouds before the wind |