The Van Buren press., 1872-05-07

see how George Delarochc likes having
the tables turned Don't shake yeuI
head, Flora-you shah enter into the
spirit Of my conspiracy!
And before the little bay ponies were
checked before the brown-stone mansion
on Madison Avenue, Flora Falkland had
consented, with many misgiving and
halfexpressed doubt, to allow Captain
Dnchatelle to play the devoted for a
brief while, in opposition to the mani
fold Hirtations OF Mr. George Delaroche
"Whsro is Flora tonight"
Mr. Delaroche entered the drawing
room in hot haste, glsncing at his watcl
as he did so.
Flora? Really don't know and
Blanche Evelyn yawned over her croch'
ct work, as she answered ~ believe
she has gone to Mrs Sanborne's soirse
with Captain Duchstellew y
George Delaroche's brow contracted.
" But she promised to go to the opera
with me"
"The engagemsnt was for eigh,
o'clock-and ii is now halfpast nine T.
"But she might have waited %
"a girl cant be forever waiting,
suppose she got tired; you know it was
just so night before last"
Delaroche stood, pulling his long
black moustache.
"Tll go round to Mrs. Sanborne' s
myself, / think he said, after mo-
ment's silence. cts great bore,
| but
"Oh, you needn't trouble yourself y
said Blanche, swsetly. Captain Ouch
atelle will take excellent care Of Flora "
Miss Falkland was waltzing with the
handsome young captain Of artillery,
when Mr.. Delaroche entered--and she
had never locked prettier! George had
always pooh poohed the idea of jeal'
ousy; what, then. was the nameless pang
that penetrated his breast. as Flora float
ed past him, with shining eyes and checks
tinted like newly blossomed sweet pea
Neuralgia, perhaps-or, touch OF gout,
the family complaiut Of the Delaroches q?
Surely not jealousy!
AS long as he had been quite certain
that Flora was all and indisputably his
own. he had never fairly appreciated the
beauty OF the brilliau! blonde-now she
seemed loveler and more attractive than
ever
~ wonder who that Duchatclo is,
he thought, waxing indignant within
himself as the captain of artillery led
his beautiful partner into the refresh
ment room for champagne and ices. "a
conceited puppy, I'll 60 bail Flora;
as she passed him. you had better walk
with me awhile you look flushed "
Oh, m not tired at all" and Miss
Falkland glided by, her blue silk robes
rustling softly like bed Of scented for
get me nots.
Mr.. Delarochc turned on his heel and
went home in disgust.
81 II teach her lesson" he thought.
But the lesson somehow failed in its
point. When lie called the next morn.
ing, instead of Flora in sackcloth and
ashes, he found Flora having cosy lit
tie tete-a tste with the captain of artil
lery.
"Are you ready p he demanded, when
he had knowledged by the most frigid
of bows, an introduction to Captain
Duchatcllc
Ready p echoed Flora, q" for what Z"
"For our drive on the Bloomingdale
road !"
"Oh, l had forgotten it, said Flora,
noirely. besides, can't possibly go.
! have promised to visit the - Gal
lery with Captain Duchatells, this morn.
ing"
ITO be sure" said Captain Ducha-
telle, composedly, ~ never allow ladies
to break their promises to me. T"
"But the carriage is waiting.
"Waiting! is it2 Then perhaps,
said Flora, with true feminine audacity,
You had better ask Lisa Hamilton, or
some other young lady, to accompany
you h."
"Hang Lisa Hamilton" said George,
fairly losing patience at last. II don't
want Lisa Hamilton to drive with mc--I
want you"
I'm very sorry, said Flora. demure
ly; but she didn't look sorry, nevcrthc-
less.
Day after day went by, aud Flora Falk
land played her part with the most be
witching perfection, while the effect upon
the recreant lover was marvellous to be
hold. No more nrtatons--no more
drives with other damsels-no more de.
licious lingering in eonsewatorics and
dainty boudoirs, while Flora, with sick
heart. was waiting for loving glance in
vain. Blanche Evelyn was right. George
Delaroche was drinking to the very
dregs the cup he had SO rolcnuessy
poured ont for Flora Falkland, and bit
ter draught he found it
"She does not love me, " ho thought,
81 and what will my life be without her
Oh, if that rascal, Duchatelle, had never
crossed our pathway--if Flora could but
| be all my own once more"
And he went about looking like the
very embodiment Of Melancholy.
"Oh, let me comfort him." pleaded
Flora, 10 her confdante. He is SO un-
happy"
"Just what he ought to be, ;" said re-.
lcntcss Blanche, mot yet, you little
soft. heart--hc must come to you and
plead for mercy, before the cure is COM
pletc.
Flora was sitting in the twilight one
evening. about week afterwards, when
George Delaroche entered.
! Flora he began, :" | am glad to see
that you are alone, for wished to speak