Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-04-29


The pretty lips once more wreathed
themselves into that mocking smile, and
he was beside her in one fierce stride.
" Enid said he, you know you have
done wrong; you have played with me
long enough; but it ends now. Look
herep
She looked up, all sweetness and sur
prise, but / think she shrank little as
she met the blaze of passion in his eyes.
" Look here" he continued. "Since
you have found some one else to kiss
and flirt with, you can let me 90. /
have been miserably mistaken; but it
can't be helped now, only we had better
part. You have shown me plainly
enough this evening what you are"
What am II" she asked, simply.
"a firtl" he exclaimed; a heartless
hirtl And we must part"
" Oh, yes, if you wish it, suppose
we must" said Enid; but you have
said very hard thing of me-a thing |
never heard before; and / would not
stand it now, only / see you are angry.
and don't quite know what you are say
ing. ] never firted in my life, sirl
The sweet eyes looked into his, but he
was too irate to see their sweetness.
You let that-that fellow kiss you in
the conservatory he cried. "What
more would you have, or do need, as a
proof of what you are2"
The color came into her cheeks.
"Oh, then, you saw that, did your she
said, and she gazed down thoughtfully
into the fire.
why did you allow it2" he de-
Because-oh, because | like him"
she replied; and then, you see, l stup-
idly let my maid put sprig of mistletoe
in my hair tonight, and so | suppose he
he couldn't help it. !"
She was laughing now, and her face
was flushing brightly until it looked
lovelier than he had ever seen it before.
Almost roughly the colonel seized her
round, white arm, and the laugh died
away on her lips.
{" Let me go, she said; you hurt me.
Please remember you are not in Abys-
sinia now, and English people have feel
ings."
Then where are yours, pray?" he
CTltu. Emu tdNdSOIt dlioMCI Nu9
have you trihed with me2 ?"
His lips were white with suppressed
passion, and, though she struggled to free
her arm, he held it still.
You told me you loved me, he said,
hoarsely.
She smiled family as she replied, 81
told you the truth, Vivian"
Then why have you been false to
me?" he asked. Enid, cease this
mockery, and tell me what you mean by
your conduct this EVENING"" he added,
his foot until the whole room
shook.
"Oh dear, you do frighten me sol
said Enid, shuddering and looking pa
thetic. &c wish you would be more con-
siderate, and not treat me as if were a
great strong man like yourself, and could
fight it out.
He let go her arm with contemptu-
GUS exclamation. She had tried him
very much, and, as he had said to him
self that he was not man to be trliled
with, think it was wonderful he kept as
calm as he did.
There is nothing more to be said,
then; we had better part now, and let
the world think what it will of us, he
said, in low, cold voice; and Enid who
was watching him keenly, saw how deep
ly he was reused.
For moment she hesitated, and
look Of contrition swept over her face;
the next instant her lips curled with the
old expression of laughing derision.
The world will wonder when they
hear Colonel Verschoyle has Tilted Miss
Vavasor" she said.
"They will never hear that, and you
know it. There shall never word go
forth against you from my lips" he said,
sternly.
"Then you give me up? may 60
away now2" she asked, like a child who
has been reprimanded. :" Are we to say
good-by here2"
A little white-gloved hand was offered
10 him, as the sweet young face was
raised toward his, but his heart was
growing bitter against her and her play
Ful coquetry; so he did not take the out
stretched hand; he only bowed low and
said: That is the best thing we can do. "
Enid Vavasor's eyes rested upon him
or moment as if she were about to
ipeak, and he waited with a heart, the
luick, fierce throbs of which told him she
lad only to say forgive me, and she
yould be his own once more; but Enid
lid not say it; for after that one long,
vavering look she simply bowed her
,oung head with its crown of holly and
vent away, and Vivian Verschoyle was
eft there alone underneath the mistletoe
,ough in the cloak-room. Not long
llone, for presently the door was opened
luietly, and when he turned, perhaps
expecting to see Enid again, he came
ace to face with the dashing young Off
,er, the cause of all this trouble, young
nan with skin as bronzed as Verschoyie's
,wn, for he had but lately escaped from
indian suns, and had been but two days
,n English ground.
In less than quarter of an hour after
yard you might have seen Colonel Vers-
hoyle with a very different expression
IN his countenance, hastily searching
he great drawing-room, his handsome
eatures glowing and bright color ting
NC his brown cheeks. He was looking
or Enid Vavasor; but he could not find
Ter amongst the merry makers and
ancers. Presently, however, he caught
glimpse of something white in the con- ,
ervatory, amid the orange trees, and he {
ras there in moment. He threw him {
elf beside her on the sofa, imploring
orgiveness in tones Of earnest entreaty, {
S though he almost feared to be denied.
iut it was a very sweet young face that
miled up at him with large, loving eyes
s he caught her to his heart, saying, {
Enid Enid, my darling, you should e
ave told me that he was your brotherl"