Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-08-06

month pretty well to know and appre-
ciate each other.
Give Hardingc was neither handsome
nor young; but he possessed that which
English people, and English women cs-
pecially, value more in men than correct
ness of feature, OF even youth-strength.
courage and manliness. Five and thirty
wears had rolled over his brown head, and
left the wavy hair still brown, and the
gray ewes undimmed in the fire of their
boyhood. He considered himselfa mid
die aged man now and rs no Midsummer
day dream ever had tinged with transi-
ent brightness the even tenor of his lie.
il was long since rolled mp in the forgot
ten past. He took an interest in Florence,
a deep interest, by reason of her beauty.
her innocence, and her unprotection,
Man of the world rs he was, thoroughly
understanding all the ins and outs of so
ciety, he felt that his cousin was no COM
mon girl-that she was at once adapted
to fill a higher position than that in which
she had yet moved He took his interest
to heart, and acted rather vaguely upon
it.
In the pause that succeeded d his last re-
mark his keen discernment instantly de.
tected the insult he had unintentionally
offered her, and with slight embarass-
meat in his face, he bent forward, and
said, earnestly. Forgive ME. Floy; do
not misunderstood my meaning. am
referring to yourself. You will be en-
gagged before You leave London. Mark
my words"
The flush died out of her face, and a
merry sparkle danced in her eyes as she
said gaily, "What, in one month My
good cousin, how quickly you are going
to dispose of me Make no rash prophecy
thou oracle Of evil"
"But do" said Give. "Let me bet
YOU dozen pair of gloves that my pre-
diction comes true"
against WHAT" she asked.-"Agalnst
"A kiss" he replied.
"Sir. YOU surprise mer" said Florence,
'But YOU. would lose your bet"
"If / lose will pay" said he, land II
YOU lose you must pay"
but shall not lose, cousin Give,
said Florence. Il am sure that none OF
the gentlemen to whom YOU introduce me
will satisfy my fastidious taste"
"Wait until you see them, my dear
child" said Give. You are unsophis-
ticated. | only fear they will find too
easy ingress TO that little untried heart OF
yours
She laughed langh that had ring OF
scorn in it. which made him look up with
a puzzled expression, Is though he could
not quite iathom her, rs she left the room
Mrs. Earldale's saloons were crowded
with fashion, beauty and wealth. 1t was
her last ball of the season, and tn, most
brilliant she had given. Among the as
sembled ladies il was evident that one
was the centre of attraction, the dazzling
star around which the smaller stars SEEM
ed to shine. She was quite surrounded
bv gentlemen obtruSiye in their attention
and tresome in their flattery. She SEEM
ed To feel il acutcly, Is she stood, with
heightened color, and disdainiul lips,
mutely in the midst She scarcely lifted
the curling lashes from her dark. black
ewes, or gave the least movement to the
hair that covered her white shoulders like
golden veil. She was perturbed and
distressed, and wanted to get away from
them. All the evening she had been her
self merry and gay but her most careless
glance had been met by one almost pas
siona.e in admiration, her laughing tones
answered by the most fulsome fiattery,
that, angry with herself and them-hay-
ing aptly learned in three short weeks to
heartily despise the hollow mockery OF
what the world calls plcasure-she now
stood this last hour in the ball room in
anything but happy frame of mind. AT
last there was a break in Inc circle, and
the low tones OF the votaricS of fashion
ceased for moment, as a young man OF
quiet, gentlemanly bearing made his way
up to the young lady.
Miss Lysle," said he, permit me 10
conduct you to the conservatory. You
were speaking Of"
They had passed through the rooms,
and she had thanked him for bringing
her away.
"But where is Clive?" she asked. "And
are we not soon going home9 ! am so
tired, Willie"
Tired OF dancing, or of London dissi-
patton. Florence, which," he asked.
Both" she replied. Il wouldn't live
here for worlds, if | am to be dragged
about night after night like this"
Then such life has no charms for
youPn he said.
''No indeed" was the reply. 81 am
disappointed in Give Hardinge. tho't
him superior to such frivolity. He seems
to like it."
There you mistake Floy," said her
companion. ut is society that courts
him; not he who courts society. As you
say. he is superior to it."