Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-05-19

L
not be expected to sign the death warrant of
my own hopes. 80
"She is all that you say" replied at length
" and II she waits for a man who really de
serves her, she will have to look far. 1 can
not advise you, for you know best on what
footing you stand. But this fciU say-if she
has given you any decided encouragement. YOU
may venture safely, for 1 am convinced She
would not play with your heart"
lie unused for moment, and then replied
" w ell, she has given me undoubted encour-
agenent at times, so 1 will take your advice,
for, as you say, she is too noble to play fast and
loose with me. You and her cousin will be the
first whose congratulations L shall claim By
the by, why don't you take up with the other?
You seem really to like each other, and then
we should be connected
" Stuff ,' L roaTed. eff was tho only ma n
lett on Garth. with all womankind to choose
from, would not marry. l value my freedom
too much to sell myself to slavery -
His cOmplacent picture of Mona's undoubted
encouragement, and his claiming our congrat-
ulatiOns, had irritated me beyond bearing
But the gOOd-naturcd fellow only opened his
eyes in wonder at this new specimen of my
strange wars" as he called them, without
noticing that my TRADE was anything but COM
plimentary to himself
Presently, finding was in no mood for chat,
he took himself off and left me in peace. Peace
do say! Ay, such peace as there is in Purga-
tory
was sitting the next morning after break
fast writing letter in the library when Deve
reux burst into the room. His face, generally
calm, but now radiant with delight, told me
his errand.
Congratulate me, old fellow" he shouted;
she has accepted me, and [ am the happiest,
luekiest dog alive"
L could gladly have killed him where he
stood, but | suppose the effort that | made to
hide my feelings was successful, for he be-
traycd no astonishment as he looked at me
Words cannot tell what it cost me TO breathe
out: May you both be happy, but you cannot
fail
They should not CUES, at what 1 suffered, l
was determined, so in less than five minutes
after Devereux left the library l followed him
to the sitting room. Ii was a large double room
with folding doors, and at the further extrem-
lty Devereux and Mona were sitting close to-
gether on an ottoman. The sight of the pleased
attention with which she regarded him made
me feel positively rabid
Gladly [ turned from the hateful scene TO
Catherine Lloyd, who at this instant came in
with her hands filled with flowers for the vases.
Her softened, gentle manner struck me at
once. Could Devereu1 be right in his suppo-
sitiOn, that she too loved, and that | was the
favored mOrtal2
Yes, could not doubt the signs of woman s
true deep affec ton that she BETRAYED The
sight Of her cousins happiness had vanquished
her, forcing her to lay aside that giddy care
lessness with which she generally masked her
true nature.
An Impulse urged me to act so that thew
could have no suspicion of my torments The
next instant 1 had laid my hand, heart and
fortune at her feet
First she stared as if she thought me mad
then her ringing laugh echoed through the
room.
Charlie, csme here" she cried: ''you must
call Mr.. Lloyd Out-he has positively been
making proposal to mo. D."
'He is engaged to you, then :" exclaimed,
utterly cOnfOunded From his description l
thought it was to your cousin"
With the pOut Of a spOilt child, she said.
''You refused her once yourself Why should
you expect others to appreciate her better
than you 20
Refused herr" echoed, utterly bewil-
dered.
A glance at Mona only deepened the mys-
terry, for she sat with blushing cheek and down
cast eyes, as if unable to deny the truth of her
COUSIN 8 words. But as gszad the truth broke
upon me, and with it hope
who is she 20 | asked, turning to Kate.
"Ah, L see you have already guessed" " she
cried gaily; She is Lucy Mona Lloyd whose
hand even with fortune in it you disdained
to accept. Charlie, come to the billiard room
with me; you and are only in the way here. -
Can you forgive me ?" asked pleadingly;
Il could not tell what you were, and l would
not marry for wealth"
Her eyes flashed. How magnificent she was
in her pride.
1.-The thought of what was due to your cousin
and to the memory of your uncle might h qve
induced you to find seme less insulting means
than cOntemptuous silence to convey your re-
lection Of my hand "
She Kissed out the last words, as though the
very thought were a bitter humiliation 10 her.
"You have your revenge, said gloomily;
''and will not hide from you how fully From
that night when first saw you 1 have been
madly in love, and find that have thrown
away my sole chance of happiness"
81 knew it, she replied ierccly II recog-
nised you at once, and | read your heart with
feeling of triumph. And when you came
here L rejOiced, for looked forward to this
moment when you should be at my feet, and |
in my turn would spurn you, but"
The change of tone, the sudden pause, made
me look up. With wild feeling of hope saw
gentle, blushing look of love on that face, so
naughty but now
HBHt I caUUOt - she whisnered