LITERATURE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 791, 6 April 1905, Page 4

LITERATURE.

£* WAS HE JUSTIFIED, (Continued.) " Principally ' because I've known ■: the girl for such & short time. ' •' But you've—cr—probably manag- \ " ed to see a good bit of her during that time," solid Grierson, thinking <;• Halt's just it. I haven't. Ever r-since she come to tho boardingt . hoitta -whore I used to stay sha's fi ted to dance attendance on that B v ' iwvalid aimt erf hers, and doesn t give a fcllow a chance. Why, what's ' the matter ? ' - P «• Nothing ! " * " You look glum. You are not i> afraid that our marriage, if it takes t place, will, end our friend- ■ ship?" ■" i ik,_ oh, no—only What's the name Maurice ? " •J " Dorothy fiotitrose." ?i_ Grieraon looked puzzled. Where had ffj. " lie heard that name before 7 Then k.- he suddenly remembered. tS, " You don't know her do you ? " ft- inquired Speihurst, noticing his friend's'' lob*/ %h " No—%cept through the Kbrary. She borrowed a book tho other §£- day, and, ot course, left her name." 'A Very likely ! ' She has a fnghtt?S - ful appetite for novels. Told me< S that she had entirely exhausted the fe >, other {£t>rtry'4 stock," f Qrieraon mused. The scujls he was manipulating suspended in uiid-air. * i Spelhurst suggested that they were drifting rathpr clffse to the bank. a '" Why will you' not knoy till Sunday, Maurice ? " f?>*i " "I'm to hear by the last post jL? on Saturday night."te ' " But couldn't she make up her *"; mind on the spot ? Ht " She probably but she didn't choose to. Dolly's a bit 1 of a etiquette, I fafcy, .and doesn't like 1 to think herself too easily won. If ■_ 1 don't hear on Saturday night I'm jap ~ to accept a ; negative answer, i S&f .wonder which way it will turn out." p*.-. He stretched himself at ease in the j|,'. Jjottom of the boat. Grierson ran 'ffj nf in his mind his only meeting jj? " with Dorothy Montrose. & •- '"A bit worse than a coquette, and sLV Maurice is not really in love with her," he muttered to himself; I R.,- * * * * „ | v, As usual on a Saturday, Shriuipton's was doing a large business, is.. the dreadul fear of boredom at the

x. UW IKORIUI wur U1 WIWWU UL 1110 I >;•' sea on Sunday impelling people to | replenish their literary garners. It | was a. very hot day, and • Grierson ' .was serving in his shirt-sleeves. Ev- [ en thud the perspiration streamed ofl H|; / his lace at intervals, a-ral, as he '£y w „ noticed the waiting queue of cusj timers. hj&? was inclined to - benjoan £ K ~- . tho arduousness of his employment. p.'- To-day, in all probability;. Miss £,- - Montrose would come to. exchange ber book. Wild schemes occurred to him of appealing to her better nature, and averting what would certainly prove a disastrous marriage for Ilia friend Maurice. . But what possible right had he to, interfere ? The meddtor iin love ?. matters is always detestedj, and his . affection for his sister might- hardly ; appear a sufficient motive in the eyes ; of tie world. He coukl only stand X'- idly by and let matters take their - course. J-. , Half and hour before closing tdiro he perceived Miss Montrose taking \ her stand at the end of the queue c ' after a frustrated attempt to get a- "■; - closer .position, than was her right. He noticed the gay flowers bobbing to and fro in her large hat. She must have very expensive tastes in t Millinery. , ; At last her tum arrived, and she angrily pushed over the book. ed time. This place is most Insufficiently staffed." " We're' always bu%- on a Saturday 1 ,. What will you take out? " "I don't know. Something better than that, anyhow, young man. It's the' dSlKfest book I ever came across." Grierson felt the Colour mounting , ' to hla cheeks. To think that this spiteful little cat might be Mrs ! Maurice Spelhurst! How he could open his friend*9 eyes ! He laid three novels before l.er, " Which do j'ou recommend ? " - " They are all good."- •- ".But one'must be "better than the others. You really know nothing ahgut the books here." Grierson said nothing bat turned 1 Jo the next customer. « With a look that way meant to . . kill, Dolly snapped up one book, threw down threepence, .and was gone. After the last customer had de-

parted, Criersom began arranging the boots on their shelves. He was replacing the volume which MidS llont/rosehad returned, when souie'.liing fell from between its leaves, ii was

& a letter in a closed stamped < r.\ elope. addressod to ■" Maurice Sj ei- , burst, Eskj." In the Srst moment of discovery ? Grierson almost danced with joy. He bad the latter in his hand "which, it rcoiivcd that night r ntigtrt mar his • friend's happiness for life) the girl ban* forgotten to post It. What ; strange dispensation haft the irtssive into his possession ? He gfanced at the clock. If he posted it now it . would inevitably reafch Maurico to-night. If he deinyi;- ■- ed aa hour, h'c would not reeeive it •till Monday morning. His friend's t-, ■ career depended on his next act. r *• He stood fon three. minutes in ■ s thought, tydia—Maurice—how haph' Py % they would bo together! His motives wero pure. There was no selfishness in the act. Grierson slipped the letter back into his pocket. It should mise the post. • • » . ' 'At t«n o'clock that night Grierson kaeckod at tiie door of the lodging* where Maurice lived since hj« ha-d ! ■y left the boaixiing-housc. His friend opened tho tfeor in person. " I thought you were the postoW man."h' , " Nq i * m " st bc lon K Past his t. t«ne. Hdu ve had no letter?" I' .1. *n meaM ' declined with . thanks. •. #ut come upstairs ! " c.' Grierson-followed his friend. TJiev took adjacent chairs, and Maurice § '* his tobacco pouch". j&~ • ■*' V m afraid you've bad a disnpp~ pointment, old chap."j' " Not much'! " ■> " J'ou come and spend to-mor- * . *°* afternoon and evening with us ■> X,ydia will be home." ' . t " He was .■gitart. filling his pipe. " Henry, I'm ~-*E? , at aU Cut up about ' I>ollv ,®f nt^ a& r s refusal. Perhaps, after j> -■ - H; !*■ ® !or lie best." fe > mtr ' Maurice, do you mind zL ***?s JS"* 0 " 1 * '■ I've watched

The other smoked silently. "VViaS he. offended ? Suddenly he bent over and tooK Grierson's hand. v Thank's old friend ! I should no'c wonder i| you were right, I'U come to-morrow." On his way homo Grierson dropped Miss Montroes's letter unread into the river,-