Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1874-03-27
NO. 13.


$50 report runs, said Miss Granger
toying with her fan.
''To whom? I had not heard oi
} it."
''To Mr.. Worthington-a cousin OF
2 her late husband, you know"
81 know him. cried Rupert, feeling
he knew not how. "Dick Worthine.
ton is not worthy of her. Tt would be
desecration."
she may not think so. 1t is said
there was great deal of intimacy be-
fore Mr.. Kathlane died. She married
:, him simply for his money-that is well
known--and the handsome cousin used
to be frequent visitor. There was a
deal of gossip about it a. 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
end then looked away.
about the engagement? Quite sure
MIR. Thornbery. At least, the world is
sure OF 1t. L am neither more nor less
VIE than it.
MIR. Thornbury did not change color
at the news, ,r seem, in real ty, to feel
Ah.Sn out Piioo: he o'oou lduSnlnS
and chatting with the young lady for a
few moments on different subjects.
and then, excusing himself, sauntered
across the room to where Mrs. Kath-
lane sat, surrounded by an admiring
group, of whom Richard Worthington
was one.
cit is my waltz" said Mr.. Thorn
bury, as she looked up and greeted him
with one of her brightest smiles. "Or
are you too tired?"
''Tired?' She laughed q little silvery
laugh as she rose. 81 am never tired
of dancing. Richard, I will leave nv
flowers and fan with you as hostage" )"
1t was nothing, this leaving with
him her fan and fowers-it was like a
thousand other little coquettish ways
which she had, but Rupert, thinking
oh, so bitterly of what had lust
been told him, fancied that he saw
something deeper than her usual light
coquetry in the glance she gave the
handsome young fellow, and groaned
in spirit. It seemed full confirmation
of what he had heard
"One, two, three. One, two, three.
You are shockingly ont of step, Ru-
pert !" said she, after the first turn
"What is the matter? You look as
stern as if you had seen ghost"
81 have, he said, almost grimly-
''1he giost of a dead hope;" and she,
half frightened at his tone, looked up
at him questionably. But in another
moment he smiled back at her, end she
was reassured
Don't talk nonsense, Rupert
There, you are dancing beautifully
now. What were you and that odious
Cornelia Granger talking about so
long 2"
"Odions, do you call her %
"Wel. do. Rupert. I think her so;
she has not spark of good feeling in
her. Don't you go and tell, now
''Do you think she is beautiful, Mil
licant?''
"No. I don't. Take care ~
They whirled lightly throught the
dance, Rupert almost startling Milli-
cent by his unwonted gaiety, laughing
and chatting like any one but his grave
self; and she, the color deepening in
her cheeks, the light in her eyes grow
ing momentarily brighter, looked like
veritable "danoe-sprite," so airily did
she float TIN ough the rooms.
"Eow beautifully they waltz" Even
Cornelia Granger involuntarily spoke
in admiration, and q slender youth
near her gave it as his opinion that
''Thistledown couldn't be lighter than
Mrs. Kathlane in vaita"
care you tired q said Rupert, look
ing down At the beautiful face; and
Mlilioent, for answer, said she could
keep on forever. And SO they danced
Oh and on, until Rupert saw the bright
color fading away and the sensitive
mouth beginning to droop little at
the corners.
You are tired he said, and then,
before she could answer, he whirled
her through the low open window into
the ca, j, fresh air on the balcony.
'Tha-ks," she said. Il believe l
was a little faint. Will you get my
CLOAK" And then, until her cloak
came, she sat quiet, like tired child,
| with her head resting wearily on the
railing
; The next dance but one is Rich
| ards, she said, as he wrapped the
,ft white cloaY around her tenderly.
Il must not slight him. But we will
stay ont here until then, unless you
wish 10 so back-in which case [ will
not keep you with me-"
Il shall not dance again tonight"
he answered, ''EEleSs it is with YOU"
81 am engaged for every one of
them, [ am afraid. l could have been
| engaged three OF four times over"
Sue added, laughing; 81 am sorry,
Rupert, but
No matter" ho interrupted her, al
| most rudely. II must get ustd to it,
| suppose. He was standing before
her, looking down at her, and she, in
her pretty, impelious way, laid her
hand on his arm.
'1ou are cross tonight she said.
''Sit here beside me and toll me what
it is that troubles you
He ASsitaTed a mono MT, and then
with Il reckless determination to dis
close everything, and afterwards leave
her forever, he told her the story of
his long love for her-=ae told her in
! fierce. hard way, which almost fright
! ened her, and yet made her reverence
/ aud admire him more, perhaps, than
| she had done before.
Il have loved you, Millicent, l love
| you now, more than you can imagine,
and l have tod you beca1lse-because
| you are SO far removed from me in
every way. [ feared you would think
| ne metcenary, | fcarel-Oh, Milli-
cent, Heayau tnly knows how l have
loved yQu, how l have longed to tell
| you AMI yet have not had the courage.
| Now it is too late, either for harm or
go I shall pray for your happiness
ways. with the man whom you have
chosen"
"What do yon mean. Rupelt?"
The profound wonder in her voice
made him hesitate.
Il have ht ard of your engagement
to Mr.. Wortbing:on.
"Who told yo1l Na!i'
But i4 tie same moment Richard
Warrington stepped through the low
window aud came toward them.
"f have been searching for yon every
where" he sad, laughing in his boy
ish, goo inatnred way. 'lt's my dance
most respect d cousin Milliseut. An |
she was forced to go. without another
word to the man beside her
"Have yon and Mr.. Thornbury been
quarreling?' said Richard, who, to do
him justice, was entirely innocent of
any thoughts of Miss aafhlane, or any