A Dangerous Flirtation

looked smilingly at m

be. We now lay the proposition before you. Which would you prefer-have five hundred dollars in cash, or be taken to Newport for a sea

rtunity seemed like the opening out of fairy-land to me. You will not blame me, Royal; I was young and romantic. I had n

I cried. 'Then the great drea

refer the money, but I knew that

and told my mother the wonderfu

e money, Ida,' she sobbed. 'Such a great gi

ant you to do for her, Ida

novels, or promenade on the sea-shore, from the time I get up in the morning till I retire at night. I shall have pin-money, t

ach other, mother and I, and oh!

t me go. She made one proviso, however, and that was-I

own forever after. She took me to Newport with her. As my name was the same as theirs, every one took it for granted that I was a ni

lover's face until she had concluded. Then she raised her great dark eyes

hat is the matter?"

ed. The glassy, horrified stare in his eyes

helped me to escape Mrs. Deering

l effort he f

e cried, hoarsely, as though he

t I have done, do you?" she cried, c

words to answer, br

t will keep me busy for the next hour to come. Don't wait for me. Lie down and rest until you hear from

red with all she had gone through the last few hours, and the appetiz

from the table and re-entered the little parlor[35] to wait for

to your room, miss

wered. "I wil

which has just been han

nd found that it

xpression of puzzled wonder at the lett

handwriting; she

away from her scarcely an hour? He probably wished

ealing into the dimpled cheeks. "What a happy gi

h a quick action she raised the envelope to her lips with her little white hands an

e open window, Ida May opened the letter which

g of a shock; but it is best to know the truth now than later on. I

nly, when I thoughtlessly married you, it was under the impression[36] that you were the niece of the Ma

an, living on what people call wits-and expectations, which make m

ruined. I must add that I have a still greater surprise for you. On leaving you, I purchased this morning's paper, and the first item that met my eye was the abscondin

ich we thought made us one is not binding. You are free as air. No one will be any the

rned out this way; for, upon my word, I could have liked you. There is but one thing to do under the circumstances; that is, to part company. I advise y

[37] am nearly dead broke, but I am generous enough to share what money I have with you. Inclosed you will find a tw

"'Ro

s letter through until every word was scorched into her brain in

sed the sash, and, looking up into God's face through the glinting sunshine, asked the angels in Heave