Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1872-03-07

'.'EXcuse ne, / nave not maze IL d
study"
Just then Jennie Locke came dancing
through the hall, calling Mr.. Burleigh.
He went out to meet her, and as he
stood speaking to her, through the
hal.-open door he saw Miss Darlington
stand with the bejaria- blossoms in hor
hand. They were like coral in her
white fingers, and, without knowing
whose ewes were upon her, she pressed
them against her cheek, then tossed
them lightly upon the carpet, and with
her book turned and left the room.
'sWhy. what makes Miss Darlington
look so beautiful ~ murmured Miss
Locke. as she crossed the hall.
q" Because she is beumjtuL, answered
Mr.. Burleigh, turning back to the par
lor to look for the spray of beiaria.
The afternoon following there was a
gay party in the neighborhood GRO
uuet and outdoor games until sun
down, and then dancing by moonlight
on the wide, smooth lawn. 1t would
have passed to Elizabeth Darlington
as all such affairs passed, had not q
slight accident broken in upon her
serene quiet. 1t was not much, or
seemed but little after it was over. A
lamp. carelessly hung in a tree under
which she was sitting, dropped, like
star from its place, and would have
fallen upon her, had not firm hand
caught her wrist, and in the twinkling
of an eve drawn her aside The escape
was a narrow one, but she did not cry
ont, rs some women would have don,
instead, she thought Of him who had
saved her.
You were in danger" he SAID, half
apologizIng for what he had done, or
for the apparent rudeness OF his touch.
"It is pleasant to be III danger some.
times, she added quickly, and little
awllwardly; at awakers us.
II had not thought Miss Darlington
needed awakening" he replied gravely.
She was about answering him, as some
one little way off called her name,
and Mr.. Burlcigh saw her go forward
as he had never seen her before, both
white hands extended, her face eager
and cxpectant. Something like lead
came to his heart. After all, he might
not understand this woman rs perfectly
as he had hattered himself that he did,
She might hold herself from the light
WAYS of other women simply because
She was SO leal to herself, and some
man who had Won her. Bah ! and he
had been thinking all these weeks that
he was teaching her to care for him.
He joined laughing group near by,
and tried to Danish the unpleasant
thought from his mind but he found
himself looking constantly toward two
figures walking back and forth in the
moonlight, walking slowly rs lovers
walk, and talking IN low, soft tones.
Other eyes than his observed them.
Some one said, in light, gossipping
"ay:
II think Miss Carrington's fate is
here. He was her shadow at the beach
last summer. With all her wealth and
good looks, do believe it is the only
real lover that she ever had.
"You are mistaken, Miss Rowe
was the grave answer. ~ am sure she
has had one other mt least.
"Ah - with a surprised look. did
You know him9"
II did.
Miss Locke joined in the CONVERSE
ton here. She was simple little
thing, with no art about her.
81 think Mr. Howard is just back
from Europe. The report was last sea
son that Miss Carrugton sent him
there.
Sent him there 2" queried Miss
Rowe.
Yes-refused him"
"Oh, | didn't know but what she
bought her ticket.
THE same thing, since she forced
him to buy it, answered Jennie. Il
believe in inst such love us that. I'd
rather have one man care for me enough
10 go crazy if refused him, than to
have the homeopathic love of a hundred
who do nothing more desperate than
pull their moustaches if said no.
8" If man went crazy because | re-
fused him, / should always have the
suspicion That he was tainted with in
sanity when he made the proposition, y
Miss Rowe said.
jennie shrugged her shoulders. Be
tween herself and Miss Rowe there was
not much love. There was little touch
of irony in her answer, rs near as she
ever came to it.
$50 Hou might, Miss Clotilde
But Clotilde Rowe ignored Jennie's
reply. She seemed intent on gossip
only, aud went back to Mr.. Howard
and Miss Darlington with keen relish
for the dish OF their affairs.
This Mr. Howard is dissipated
man | heheve-is, or was; for of his
life abroad we know nothing
II don't know much about dissipated
men, Jennie said, curtly "Ipresume
hn !. as GOOD as the aynrane of mnn-