Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1874-03-13

for answer, said she con!d keep on forever.
And SO they danced on and on, until Ru-
pert saw the bri9h color fading away, and
the sensitive mouth beginning to droop a
lietlc at the corners.
"YOu Gre tired.'' he said, and then, be-
fore she could answer, he whirled her
through the low, open window. into the
cool, fresh air on the balcony.
"Thanks,r - she said. Il believe l was a
little faint. VIII yon get my cloak 20
And then, until her cloak came, she sat
quiet, Ike tired child, with her head
resting wearily on the railing.
''The next dance but one is Richards. -
she said, as he wrapped the soft white
cloak around her icndorly. Il must not
slight him. But we will stay out here un-
til then, unless you wish to 90 back, in
which case l will no. keep you with me-"
II shall not dance again tonight" he
| said, unless it is with you.''
81 am engaged for every Que of them,
am afraid. l could have been engaged
three or four times over" she added,
laughing. II am sorry, Rupert, but"
mo matter" he interrupted her, almost
rudely. 81 must get used to it, sup
pose" He was standing before her, look
ing. down at her, and she, in her pretty
imperious way, laid her hand on his arm.
"You are cross tonight" she said.
''Sit here beside me, and tell me what it is
that troubles you
He hesitated moment and then, with
a reckless determination to disclose every
thing, and afterwards leave her forever, he
told her the story of his long love for her
mCst frightened and yet made her rever-
ence and admire him more, perhaps, than
she had done before.
II have loved you. Mllicent-love you
now-more than you can imagine, and
have not told you because-because you
are so far removed from me in every way.
l feared you would think me mercenary.
| feared-Oh, Milicent Heaven only
knows how l have loved you how L have
longed to tell you and yet have not had the
courage. Now it is too late, either for
harm or good. l shall pray for your hap
piness, always, with the man you have
chosen
''What do you mean, Rupert ~
The profound wonder in her voice made
him hesitate. 81 have heard of your En-
gaSement to Mr.. WOrthington."
who told you that - she asked. But
in the same moment Richard Worthington
stepped through the COW window and came
toward them.
Il have been searching for you every
where - he said, laughing in his boyish,
good-natured way. Its my dance, most
respected cousin Millicent." And she was
forced to 20, without another word to the
man beside her.
''IIave you and Mr.. Thornbury been
quarreling ~ said Richard, who, to do
him justice, was entirely innocent of any
thoughts of Mrs. Kathlane, or of anybody
else, as Il wife; ''hc looked black as a
thunder cloud, and you are pale.n
IL was little faint, after the waltz"
she answered. Don't tease me, Dick"
and SO Richard desisted from his inquiries.
Meanwhile, Rupert Thornbury, left
alone with only his own thoughts for COM
pany, sat as utterly and entirely wretched
as man eau feel but once in his lifetime.
Inside the rooms the music kept untiringly
on the gay dancers iloated past the win
dovs every face was bright with smiles.
Outside here, in the darkness, man sat
alone, struggling braveIy to lift the cross
and bear it uncomplaiungly.
How long he sat there he knew not, but
at last he reused himself and rose to his
feet, Il must go back" lie said, Cor
nclia Granger will have delicate bit of
gossip If she sees me herc.''
So he went iii and showed himself and
said few words TO Miss Granger, and
stroled about he knew not whither-talk-
ing to one, talking to anOther-and pres
emily found himself up stairs, near the Ii
brary.
The library door was ajar, and, as lie
entered, little figure, all in silvery blue
and soft white lace, with scarlet buds
glowing and burning here and there, turn
ed and advanced step toward him.
There were tears IN the great black eyes,
and the red lips were trembling like
grieved child's.
"Was it untrue, Milicent ~
Every wo-d of it. Dick, indeed Oh,
Rupert ~
He clasped her hands almost rudely.
You are not engaged p
Only look answered him. lie caught
her to him, pouring foIth ali the sweet
love-Yows that he had sensitively refrained
from before and Mill;cent whispered that
she never should be engaged, unless it was
10 him.
A pity, but Miss Corne!ia Granger had
chanced to look into the library.