The Lincoln County herald., 1872-01-04
IN THE TWILIGHT,
A LEAP YEAR STORY.

"A tall, blue-sysd g,rl, with loose
brown culrs flowing from her face, ike
an aureole amber Of brightness and a
slender throat, white aud smooth as
mother OF pearl, was Valentine Bruce. as
she sat by tho open window, dreamilv
watching the sunset famo melt into omen
billows Of light. ..4-
And Colonel Mordauht smoked his
cigar in the fragrant shadows Of the
shrubbery, and wondered what fortunate
mortal might DO fated to buy Valentines
wedding ring, and pay her millinery bills,
and be her humble slave and seryitor (?)
through life. ~
Colonel Mordauut tossed his cigar IN
among the rose acacias that skirted the
lawn, and began to select cluster of
exquisite moss roses, needless Of the
thorns that pierced his unaccustomed
fingers. st ~ ~
"She likes flowers" he soliloquized,
.ano moss roses are certainly the prettiest
howors that grow. will win q smile
frou, those velvet lips Of hers"
Ho twisted blade of plant grass
around the messy stems, in place Of a
ribbon, and sauntered carelessly up the
gravel walk. "
All of sudden ho stopped. :
Frank Aldrich's voice" he exclaimed,
biting his lips with vexation, as merry
peal of laughter foatsd through tho
purpling twilight from the open meadows
beyond. "What brings that puppy here,
now, Of all times aud seasons in the
world"
"Halloo, Jack |" said Aldrich. "Bscn
scntimentalizius out in the dew2 The
ladies' were just tretting over the chance
Of your taking cold"
Mordaunt's face frightened up-then
Valentine did think of him sometimes.
THAT is," pursued the relentless Al.
drich, "poor thoughtful sister Katy said
she was afraid you would have a cold,
and Miss Bruce said nothing"
Colonel Mordaunt stepped forward and
laid the knot Of moss roses on the folds
Of Valentines white dress, with a few
murmured words that nobody could uu-
derstand.
blowers, eh p said Frank super.
cilliously.
Valentine looked carslessly down at
the cluster Of pink buds, and then delib-
eratsly took them up and tossed them ou,
upon the lawn.
Explain if you please" said Frank,
composedly, while Mordauut grew scarlet
aud bit his lips.
"There was a worm-a horrid, green
worm, on one Of the buds" haughtily
said Valentine, shaking off one or two
crimson petals that still adhered to hel
dress. ~ have perfect horror Of al
such noxous insects"
"Do you hear that, Jack ?" appealed
Mr.. Aldrich, lazily turning around in hi
chair. at is pity you were SO unfortu
nate IN the selection Of your floral offer
ing"
But Colonel Mordaunt had left the
room. Kate followed him the next
minute.
dearest Jack, you are vexed with
Valentine and Frank ? They don't meat
to annoy you, I'm sure
"Not vexed, DEAR" said Mordaunt
"only grieved. l am sorry Miss Bruce
finds me SO diSagreeable."
He went up stairs, while Kate hesitated
q moment below.
HE is better by himsslf," she said,
mentally. Poor fellow, he's dreadfully
in love, and l wish Valentine and Frank
wouldn't tease him So"
,ho ,,nnk 1nyn sr ho orr,on y
garden to gather honey .suckles for the
parlor vases, and to muse on her brother
manifold grievances.
"It's too bad, SO it is she murmured
II shall talk seriously to Valentino abou
it this very evening"
Meanwhile, Colonel Mordaunt stalkod
sulkily upstairs, into his sisters pretty
little sitting room, where the muslin cur
tains were fluttsring to and fro in tht
night wind, and the sofa was drawn into
o little recess beside table all Uttered
with books and magazines and the indie
scribable debris which two girls invara
bly, collect around themselves in the
course of june afternoon.
He threw himself recklessly down or
tho sofa, and drew tho soft folds of Kate
cashmere shawl over him.
"Katy'"
Like the tremulous COO Of tho wooc
pigeon, Valentines voice murmured th'
two soft syllables with the coaxing ac
cent of child. And in the same ins tan
she knelt down beside the sofa, her white
dress sweeping over the crimson carpet
and one arm thrown over the deceitfu
cashmere shawl.
Colonel Mordaunts first Impulse was t(
spring up and declare his individuality
bis second was to lie still and let fate
manage the affair to suit her capricou:
self. So no lay still accordingly, expe
riencing a very singular and not at al
disagrceablc sensation, from the contact
Of the caressing arm.
No doubt, he was treacherous hypo-
critical wrstch--but, fair lady, or chiv-
alrous gentleman, don't judge the poor
fellow too harshly. 1t is just possible
only possible, you know-that you might
Jo tha same thinU