, 1875-02-20


unlooked-for happiness there was no
room in his thoughts for doubt or fear
for anything save the feeling that he had
won his llfe's great stakes; that the
smile that had seemed as far away as a
star was TO be his light hencefOrth: the
heart that had never known one thrOb
for another vas his own, too, to quicken
at his will. He was all security in
the present and confidence in the
future; it was an easy thing to wait pa.
tiently, now he had gained 80 much and
was SO sure of the end.
But this mood did not last; it could
not with character like his. II was
easy, dUur .css, before making the trial
to resolve TO be patient and give this
girls heart time to learn the lesson love
had begun in it. But patience was pre-
CiSely what Clarence BroughtOn had
never possessed. He could conquer diff
culties with an impetuOus effort, but he
could not wait TO see them vanish of
themselves Things in their course never
went fast enough for him; an hour must
do days duty, week the work of a
year. Marguerite was as much as ever a
mystery to him. He could not COmpre-
hend a woman who could love and yet
not blush and tremble; who could see
him occupied and occupy herself with
other things, quietly content without
perpetual assurance Passion and pro
testation were natural to him and he ex-
pected them in return from her, forget
ting that love does not work by miracles,
forgetting her own words that she could
not change her nature for him. He had
declared then that be would not have her
other than what she was, but gradually
he grew to resent the very peculiarlties
which had attracted him, TO wish her
more like other girls be had known
" Paulett was right; there is not spark
of fire about her" he would tell himself
till he had made for himself grievance
over which he brOOded sullenly.
The very held which he had over her
grew into kind of injury IN his eyes.
Since he had so much, he ought To have
more, instead of being put off with the
shadow of q right. So he reasoned till
he had come 20 the conviction that, for
Hargucrite'S sake aS much as his own,
some sort Of forcing process was neces-
sary for love so slow Of growth \
little jealousy, for example, would do no
harm She was too secure of him, evi-
IDENTIFY, to set proper value on him. 1t
might be well just to give her an idea of
possibilities. Thus ne set himself TO
experiment on the mysteries of a
woman heart as unhesltatingly as a
boy would tear apart the leaves of q
rosebud that opened too tardily for his
patience.
If one makes a resolve better left un
made, does not the opportunity to carry
it out hasten to offer itself Clarence
BrOughtOn's did, at any rate. George
Paulett, who was about to take his Sis
ter back 10 England, left her for n fow
days with her school friend, Marguerite,
lust in time to take her role in the scene
Clarence was preparing. Certainly, if a
man desired to play NJ love, he might
look long without finding better part
ner than Cora Paulett- Pretty, vivaCiOus
COquette 10 the very marrow, she
feigned to perfection, without any
troublesome reserve of feeling 10
turn the Jest into earnest un-
expeCtedIy Besides, she had that eXpe-
rience which is desirable to make the
pastime thoroughly entertaining; she
had played at it SO often that she not
only knew all her own cues, but could
prompt her companion into the bargain.
All was fish that came to her net, but
still she had choice in her fish. Clar-
ence was partICul8rl Y to her taste, and
she had not been dozen minutes in his
company before her eyes told him SO as
plainly as ever eyes could speak. He
was al no loss to understand as much,
not being by any means tyro himself in
such matters: while Marguerite in her
innocence saw the whole, and understood
nothing except that her lover and her
friend promised to get on well together,
which was fortunate, inasmuch as il
would prevent Cora from feeling dull,
and dullness was, in that young lady's
estimation, the one intolerahle evil Of this
world
If had thought twice about it, she
said, the evening of her arrival, |
wouldn't have let George leave me here,
under the circumstances. ! suppose you
two will go incoming about by yourselves,
like all true lOvers-so cheerful for mel
What nuisances true lovers are! They
ought to be suppressed by law. believe
| shall have to set up lover of my own
in selfdefense. Only where to find him
on such short notice.
"IfI might venture to offer my serv-
ices" said Clarence, looking into the
laughing blue eyes that challenged his so
SauCily.
Rita. DO you allow him to make
those pretty speeches? If | were in
your place l should keep a tighter rein
on my lord for fear-fOr fear
But am not afraid" answered Mar
guerite, with smile at Clarence, from
which he turned away, vexeG instead ct
gratifed by her simple confidence
That alters the case" said Cora. De
murely. Then if you are really not
afraid for your treasure will you lend it
10 me for little while now and them"
When you like and as long as you
like" answered Marguerite, laughing.
Rather a dangerous permission"
said BrOughtOn, . considering the heart
of man"
"Is deceitful and desperately wicked" !"
suggested Cora.
desperately susceptible, at least" he
rejoined.
1T comes to the same thing when the
man is an engaged man." said Cora, Civ
ing him provoking glance.
:" In that case | must confess myself a
deplorable sinner" said Broughton, with
another longer look into the wicked
blue eyes
well, then, sinner, leave the saint to
herself-she doesn't want us-and come
and look at the moon with me" said
Cora, laughing, as she turned TO the
door.
Like TO like" said Broughton, follow
ing her, without so much as parting
word or glance for Marguerite.
She. for her part, lifted her eyes and
looked after them with a sensation OF
surprise-only surprise, but still not