The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1876-11-10

idiocy which contemplates such a
course. And the necessity for il does
not exist"
The tone was not so confident as II
might have been, however, and the
restless anxiety haunting her face did
not escape him.
my poor Rose, you are deliberately
cheating yourself with delusions. Why
not accept the truth, bitter as il may
bef BE brave enough to cast oft one
whose 6ckleness is seen by all. whose
falsity has been declared in all but
words"
STOP" she said, very quietly-a
sudden quiet which was ominous.
"Even you may venture too FAR. III
thought him false, the wind would not
be more free than he from any claim Of
mine. | do rot believe il. i have
faith in him, and you shall see il
justified"
my poor little Resell" Infinite
pity, infinite tenderness in his tone.
"He is nstable as water, and as weak.
No one but woman would make a
hero Of Clement Vargray, and you
oh, Rose, / fear for you! | know in
my heart he is all unworthy of you.
No, dent interrupt for one minute.
What l want to say--and l am saying
il very badly-is this; II he prove
himselfa scoundrel, II he has il in his
craven heart to break his faith plighted
to you, you will rely upon me to
avenge the insult as though ! were
really the brother whose place my
affection at least has filed. No brother
could wish you better, could do more
for your happiness, than ! would.
You believe it, Rose?'
81 believe it, and thank you for it.
But you have made one mistake: l
shall stand in no need Of an avenger,
whatever comes. ! am fully able to
take care of my own affairs. Thank
you all the same, and be kind enough
not to calumniate Mr.. Vargray in my
hearing"
81 beg your pardon, said Rube, the
slightest red strain rising to his tenn
piles. He had his own reasons for not
liking Clement Vargray--reasons which
Rose Sherwood knew full well.
She sat plucking nervously at the
fringe of her silken sash for a mo-
ment then, with a swift compression
of her lips, a steeling of resolve, look
ed up at him again.
miss Dunbar is out, you say. Il
he with her ?"
81 don't know, l saw neither o
them. called at Miss Dunbar:
house this morning and was imformeC
that she had joined the sleighinl
party. That was ALL
Sand you pr-tend to pity me, Rub'
you who are in that coquett's train
What blind game lite is, to be sure
And she has treated you shamefully-
! yes, shamefully, and yet you 60 dow
at her shrine like heather before hi
; idol. l wonder at it, you are so clear
headed on every other point"
The red strain, no longer slight
surged all over his face.
"Exemplify your faith. As you ar
strong, be merciful, Rose. Remembe
that l realize the extremity of IN.
folly-that / have no hope. Pra.
heaven only that your expectations
may be fulfilled"
; They will be, they must be" sh
; said to herself, impassionately, as h
) rose and hastily left the room. !
Clement ! e false / shall die-surely
shall"
1t was only one of youths will
> exaggerations of fancy, but in tina
. moment she almost believed il.
The next brought change. Up tn
broad entrance avenue, through tn
dazzling midday splendor, came tn
recreant whose remissness had givel
her some sore pangs, looking handsome
and debonaaire, and the sight, although
she had been expecting him, gave he
a start and thrill of great joyousness
"Clement!" She stood up and pu
out both her hands, her eyes shining
like stars, the glad flush at its bright
est in her usually pale cheeks.
"Rose, my dear, how well you ar
looking !" Mr.. Vargray took the out
stretched hands in momentary, care
, less pressure, his brown mustache JUS
brushed her cheek then he flung him
! self, with the air of one familiar to tn
( place, into the chair which Rube hac
SO lately vacated.
: HandsomeY Yes. MIR. Clemen
Vargray was undoubtedly handsome
{ after rather eileminate fashion. III
was very fair, he Lad a profusion o
; light hair curling all over his classica
head, he had a pair of deeply viole
eyes-wonderful eyes, that grew soft
, and dark with tender emotions, tina
had won their way straight to NOR
, Than ona feminine heart before thi