The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-05-05

present. Bertram smiled approval.
"Graham is no fool, thought he; she
has selected the next most attractive
girl; Just as the Lund has selected the
next Gn her blinded iudgmenO most
attractive man." This soliloquizer had
no false modesty, you see.
Having thus ascertained that these
two young people were desperately in
love with one another, Bertram no
longer gave himself the troubleof pay
ing so assidious court TO Miss Lund,
and cultivated the acquaintance OF
Graham, who was too much man Of
the world to showa reserve which might
betray jealousy, il he felt any, which is
doubtful. The twomen had notchanced
to meet often, but they had been thrown
together some two years before in the
settlement OF domestic matter in
which Graham had behaved in manner
calculated to excite Bertram's esteem,
and he was inclined to like the man
who knew betterof him than most other
people did. For our loves and friend
ships depend quite us much upon men
and women's opinion Of ourselves rs
upon their own intrinsic merits.
They breakiasted Mt the same little
table; they strolled afterwards in the
hotel garden, smoking they also con-
sumed their Inst cigars at night in COM
pany, and waxed confidential. At least,
the one who had something to confde
did it, and Bertram learned that Graham
was on the point Of going out TO Africa
to shoot big game.
The other visitors at Spa made to-
tally diiferentarrangementforth young
man, and decreed that he wns about tC
marry the lively widow forthwith. Mrs,
Cracket announced tho Forthcoming
event to Millicent Lund as IN ascer'
tanned fact, and the young lady, believ
ing il, went mad. 1 do not mean thai
she required a straight-waiStcoat, or pui
wild flowers in her hair, or sang scraps
Of song, or danced with her shadow
She did not even show any emotion be-
fore Mrs. Cracket and the gossips, bul
smiled, and remarked that she supposed
twas a good match for she was not ol
IN hysterical nature. But her mind
was for tho timo unhinged, for oil that
and she was quite capable OF doing
some desperate thing which society
would have brought in temporary in.
sanity. 1t was quite true that she had
broken with Graham, but then he had
no business to marry any one else, etc.
How could sho appease her resentment
how prove tlat sledid not care one iota
for the man she had once been betrothed
to-? If she could only take the initia.
tive; that would be better still. Nc
one can throw OF the restraints con.
ventionally imposed by their fellow.
creatures with impunity if Milly Lund
had not indulged her tastes for indie
pendence and originality to such m
extent II she had had any experienced
ftiend OF her own sex in whom she had
confidence, to advise her, she would
never have been guilty Of writing, on a
sheet Of lemon. .colored note-paper
I" Let nc see you tomorrow morning
NJ H." and dropping it, with her hand
kerchief, at the Redoubte, when only
Bertram was near enough to pick 1t up.
The wisp OF paper was not addressed
to anybody in particular that was the
only shred OF prudence she showed
but then she gave ii almost with her
own hand, which was very shocking.
"If Graham had known that I had
this myinpocket, ho would hardly have
biddcn mo such a friendly good nightl'
said Bertram, on examining the note
before going to bed. And then he put
il carefully away in his pocket-book.
When lie called at Millicent's lodgings,
he found her alone, not oven Miss Cor
ney being present. She had a wild,
excited look in her eyes, and deep
flush on her check; md directly the
door was closed, she stepped hurriedly
towards him.
"Do you know why I have invited
you here 2" she asked.
Bcrtram looked MS many volumes as
ho could, and bowed discreetly.
"Espcrm.a" saidshe, turning away.
"What |" cried Bertram. my SYM
pathies were true; you arc really
"The blue domino !"
Instead Of throwing himself at her
feet, seizing her hand, and calling her
by her Christian name, as he ought to
have done, Bertram said, in a musing
tone: "Curiousl was never at ball in
Brussels in my life"
"Oh ~ cried Nfilliccnt, shrinking
away, covering her face with her hands,
and shedding tears Of bitter shame and
humiliation.
II hope you will forgive me-" Ber-
tram continued. ~ had no idea you
would believe my rodomontade, which
was only made up ut the moment for
fun. Pray, lido not be distressed /
know all about it. 1t is pique which
has impelled you to listen to the suit of
so unworthy an individual; il it were
otherwise, | should indeed esteem my
self the most fortunate OF mon. AS it
is, it is happy that am neither needy
adventurer, nor an tlnscrupulous lover,
or perhaps you might have been hurried
into marriage which would have
proved the misery Of your life; and
Graham would be eaten by lions, hug
ged to death by gorillAs, stamped ont
by elephants, poisoned by snakes and
auinine, and-and all sorts Of things.
By.the.bye, do you know that he is of
to the Cape next month";"
Millicent was too much overwhelmed
by appreciation Of the position she had
placed herself in, to reply; SO Bertram
went on:
"They have made up a story about
his engagement to Mrs. Geylass. Alb.
surd II he cannot marry one lady, j
am certain lie will mover take to another,
unless perhaps an Ashantee. Not even
for piqae. 1 do wish, dear Miss Lund,
tbat vnn wonld mAke friend OF me,