New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-02-22
NEW ORLEANS REPUBLICAN, SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22 1874

an envlOus heart was hidden under IN
smiling faces which greeted her.
There is Mrs. Kathlane, Mr.. Thorn
bury" said Cornelia Granger, tall, pale
ill-natured girl, to whom Rupert had bee
saying civil nothings for the last few mir
utes, and who was furiously jealous
Mrs. Kathlane in her heart of hearts
you gentlemen are wild about her, be
ieve. Red and blue-what excruciatin
taste wonder her maid does not teac
her better"
| Every one has not your critical eyes
Miss Granger" said Rupert, laughing. s.
thought her dress charming"
''Of course" Miss Cornelia was not al
amiable girl, as we have said, and at tina
moment her temper was pinching he
rather sourly. ''Perhaps you make on
OF those who are wild over her, MI
Thornbury?'
1T would be Of no use to me, I expect
if were.' replied Rupert, in his caudor.
We'll, ! suppose not-as she is soon K
be married again."
married again. he uttered.
$50 report runs. said Miss Granger
toying with her fan.
ITO whom? ! had no: heard of it,"
} TO Mr.. Worthington; cousin Of bel
late husband, you know
J Il know him. cried Rupert, feeling he
| knew not how. ''Dick Worthington's no,
worthy Of her. 1t would be dissertation.
1 ''SLe may not think so. 1t is said
there was great deal Of intimacy before
Mr.. Kathlane died. She married him
simply for his money-that's well known
and the handsome cousin used to be a
frequent visitor. There was deal of
gossip about it at the time, and-but
there's Dick Worthington now. Look
how her color rises when she speaks to
him"
"Are you quite certain your informa-
ton is correct, Miss Granger?''
The pale eyes glanced at him again,
and then looked away.
"About the engagement? Quite sure,
Mr.. Thornbury. At least, the world is
sure of it. ] am neither more LOT less
wise than it..
Mr.. Thornbury did not change color at
the news or seem, in reality, to feel much
surprise; he stood laughing and chatting
with the young lady for few moments
on different subjects, and then excusing
himself, sauntered across the room to
where Mrs. Kathlane sat, surrounded by
an admiring group, of which Richard
Warrington was one.
1T is my waltz" said Mr.. Thornbury,
as she looked up and greeted him with
one OF her brightest smiles. ''Or ATE you
too tired?'
'.Iired?' She laughed little silvery
Laugh as she rose. II am never tired Of
dancing. Richard, I will leave my flowers
and fan with you as hostage"
II was nothing, this leaving with him
her fan and fowers-it was like thou
sand other little coquettish ways which
she had-but Rupert tbinking-oh! so
bitterly-of what had just been told him,
fancied that he saw something deeper
than her usual light coquetry in the
glance she gave the handsome young fell
low. and groaned in spirit. II seemed
full confirmation Of what he had heard.
Zone. Two. three. One. two, three.
You are shockingly out of step, Rupert"
said she, after the first turn. ''What is
the matter? You look as stern as if you
had seen a ghost"
II have" he said, almost grimly-'the
ghost Of a dead hope;' and she, half
frightened at his tone. looked up at him
questioningly. But in another moment
he smiled back at her. and she was yeas.
sured.
Don't talk nonsense, Rupert. There.
you are dancing beautifully now. What
were you and that odious Coypelia Gyang.
er talking about so long?"
''Odious do you call herr
''Well, ] do, Rupert. I think her so;
she has not spark of good feeling in bel.
Don't you 60 and tell, now.''
'Do you think she is truthful, Mill.
cent?
mo, don't. Take carer'
They whirled lightly through the dance.
Rupert almost startling Millicent by his
unwonted gaiety, laughing and chatting
like anyone but his grave self; and she,
The color deepening in her cheeks, the
light in her eyes growing momentarily
brighter, looked like veritable .'dance.
sprlte. so airi]y did she float through the |
rooms.
''How beautifully they waltz Even !
cornelia Granger involuntarily spoke in !
and slender youth near her
gave it as his opinion that ''Thistledown !
couldn't be lighter than Mrs. KatLlane in
! waltz"
'Are you tired?" said Rupert, looking
Town at the beautiful face, and Millicent,
or answer, said she could keep On forever.
And so she danced on and on, until Ru-
bert saw the bright color fading away,
nd the sensitive mouth begininning to
Troop little at The corners.
"You are tired" he said, and then,
,efose she could answer. he whirled her
though the low. open window into the
DOL, fresh air on the balcony.
Thanks" she said. Il believe was
little faint. Will you get my cloak"
md then, until her cloak came, she sat
uiet, like tired child, with her head
esting YEARLY on the railing.
1.-The next dance but one is Richards"
he said, as she wrapped the soft, white
loak around her tenderly. Il must not
light him. But We will stay out here I'M
il then, unless you wish to 60 back, in
7hich case will not keep you with me- 3"
IL shall not dance again tonight" he
nswered, ''unless it is with you.
II am engaged for every one of them,
% afraid. I could have been engaged
1ree or four times over she added,
'ughing. Il am sorry, Rupert, but"
mo matter, he interrupted her, almost
ldely. Il must get used to it, I sup
ose.' He was standing before her, look
e down at her, and she, in her pretty,
nperious way, laid her hand on his arm.
you are cross tonight, she said. .'Sit ,
ere beside me, and tell me what it is that
oubles you
He hesitated a moment. and then, with .
reckless determination to disclose every
ing. and afterward leave her forever, he
Id her the story of his long love for her;
Id her IN q fierce. hard way, which al {
ost frightened her. and yet made her 1
yerence and admire him more nerhans |