Short Story Classics (American) Vol. 2

lmost haggard; his immaculate linen was a little crumpled, and he carried no cane;

as he seated himself op

rtled at his unusual ap

followed your advice, you see. I ha

of alarm. "Something dreadful must have

is all. My father told me to-day to go to the devil, if I chose, and my mother gave me five

perfumed and carefully folded no

ad them?" she asked,

nly. Wh

one note after th

r seat, while her eyes flamed with indignatio

to them all, and, you see, they all accepted me. I received all these letters to-day. I only wi

ling a rose-colored note in her hand. He began to feel uncomforta

, rising, "I suppose there

much, and you have obligingly revealed to me a new side of your character, I

ll atte

t the table at which she stood, "that you were a very selfish man-an embodiment

you that I was sel

sible contempt. "When did you ever act from any generous

qual justice, what goo

to gratify a mere momentary wish

the Biblical precept, and treated my

of any decided complexion, either good or bad. Now I see that I have misjudged you, and that you are capable of outraging the most sacred feelings of a

e, and her words, though stern, touched a secret spring in his heart. He ma

you scorn me, have pati

e sincere. Large mute tears trembled in her eyelashes as she sat gazing tenderly at him, and in the depth of her soul the wish awoke that she might have been able to return this great and strong love of his; for she felt that in this love lay the germ of a new, of a stronger and better man. She noticed, with a half-regretful pleasure, his handsome f

but if at the end of five or six years your hand is still free, a

t I may have to say to you? For I prom

g, Ralph. Let us both remain free; and, if you return and still love me, then come, and I shall receive you and listen to you. And even if you have o

murmured. "Let it

azed long and tenderly into her eyes, presse

steamer for Hull, and three w