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

idiccy which coutemplates such q
course. And the necessity for Il doe
not exist"
The tone was not so confident as II
might have been, however, and tn,
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 on,
whose 6ckleness is seen by all. who's,
falsity has been declared in all but
words"
stop" she said, very quietly
sudden quiet which was ominous.
even you may venture too Gar. III
thought him false, the wind would moi
be more free than he from any claim Of
mine. do rot believe it. / have
faith in him, and you shall see il
justified"
my poor little Rosel" Infinite
pity, infinite tenderness in his tone.
"He Is untable as water, and as weak.
No one but a 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, don't interrupt for one minute.
What l want to say--and | am saying
il very badly-is this; If he prove
himself a 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 l 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 i would.
You believe it, RoseY"
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. /,
he with her ?"
81 don't know, / saw neither O
them. / called at Miss Dunbar's
house this morning and was imformet
that she had joined the sleighinG
party. That was ALL
Sand you pretend to pity me. Rubt
you who are in that coquetts train
What a blind game lite is, to be sure
And she has treated you shamefully-
yes, shamefully, and yet you go down
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 arr
strong, be merciful, Rose. Remember
that l realize the extremity of my
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 HI
rose and hastily left the room. Il
Clement e false shall die-surely
shall"
1t was only one of youths wild
exaggeraiions of fancy, but in tina
moment she almost believed it.
The next brought change. Up thu
broad entrance avenue, through thu
dazzling midday splendor, came thu
recreant whose remissness had giver
her some sore pangs, looking handsome
and debonaaire, and the sight, although
she had been expecting him, gave hel
a start and thrill of great joyousness
"Clement p She stood up and put
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 arr
looking Mr.. Vargray took the out
stretched hands in momentary, care
less pressure, his brown mustache jusl
brushed her cheek then he flung him
self, with the air of one familiar to the
place, into the chair which RUDE had
so lately vacated.
Handsome Yes, Mr.. Clemenl
Vargray was undoubtedly handsome
after rather eileminate fashion. He
was very fair, he had a profusion OF
light hair curling all over his classical
head, be had a pair of deeply violet
eyes-wonderful eyes, that grew soft
and dark with tender emotions, that
had won their way straight to more
than one feminine heart before this
u