The Van Buren press., 1876-11-14

fortune. and people have found q great
deal Of fault with me for things could
not control"
The Colonel looked melancholy as he
uttered this, and Kate again sent me
salute.
THAT is often the case with the most
Of us, Colo.el; bat YOU are still ayoung
enough man to profit by all your mis-
takes, and, likewise, retrieve all you have
lost"
II am glad to hear you say that 1t
| is just what | think about it. | shall
labor with new courage after this. for
you have inspired me. am fortunate IN
many things Will you let me lay them
before your Ihave as good social stan
ding rs any man in the country have
and wealthy friends and none
others, have a pretty fortune myself,
and am not without distinction as an
officer in the regular army. But you
know all this. Miss Allen. merely
wished to remind you that | possess
claims to your consideration and respect.
as well as disadvantages that arouse your
pity
" Certainly, Col. Little" I replied,
very kindly. !" appreciate all that"
Kate grew quite demonstrative.
"What is that noise? p the Colonel
asked, alarmed and confused. :" Did not
some one laugh? Walls have ears, Miss
Allen Did you not hear some one p
"The bay window is open,' answer.
ed, :" and the voices of persons passing,
can he easily heard in here"
He looked but half convinced.
"I had something else to say to you,
he said hut | will defer it. Win you
go to the Hippodrome with me, this eve-
ning2 assure you the very best peo-
pie go, or | would not ask you"
"Oh will go with pleasure" an.
swcred, and the Colonel almost jumped
from the sofa. as a well-dcfined laugh
from Kate hoated above our heads.
IL reckon had better go" he said, in
an embarrassed way. 81 will not stay
too long, or will be laughed at. Twill
call for you at 2, Hiss Allen. Good
morning" and he bowed himself out Of
the room.
1t was the Hippodrome, Kate
| sai'. HaliNiouo.N5 az oiuhpiSo cNOi
ON the stairs.
Yes. but he means more than Hippo
drome That's just an excuse. He will
propose tonight. o, my Cousin Alice !!
bow wW You stand it -
He shall not propose, Kate, IL can
prevent him But 40 want to go to the
Hippodrome. and with Colonel Little,
too said, giving scornlul little
lau h.
Kate stared at me and was immediate
| ly interested.
why 2" she asked setentiously.
81 want Mr. Archie Ludlow to see
me- answered "He is going to take
Blanche Courtier, to night, and he was so
ridiculous, the other night as to laugh at
poor Colonel Little, and then grow ab
surdlv jealous because | defended him
| want to f.ach him lesson.' ag
| Take care Kate said - Blanche
Courtler is an heiress, and you are not
To he sure Mr. Ludlow is immensely
wealthy, hut no one is indifferent to add
ing more 10 their possessions and es-
tales
Nonsense. mut,ered, turning away
toward my own room.
] went to the Hippodrome with Colo
mel Little and he behaved very well, talk
ing very little during the performance
He alarmed me b, the length and i'm
inensty of his si2hs, now and then, but
/ hoped by the time we started home. he
would have dieposed in this way Of all
his detection and sad ess was in er
ror.
1t was lovely moonlight night. and
after walking some distance, remarked
on its beauty.
No response was vouchsafed my cx.
clamation, and silence reigned little
longer.
~ feel dreadfully!' the Colonel ex-
claimed. vt last, in a voice most dramat.
ic. and hollow. l thought, perhaps, he
was sick.
II am sorry, really ventufed to an
swer
No, you aren't" be said savagely
lyon don care ce-t!'
VERY well !"
Silence again. .tg.l
II do teel dreadfully!' was walled
forth again made no reply.
"Haye you nothing to say Z he asked
reproachiully.
1T is most beautiful night repli
ed. was exasperated with the Colone
and with myself. Win him tor his ut
ter idiocy. and with N, self for giving
him this opportunity Archie Ludlow
h d been at the Hippodromc, but moi
with Blanche Courter as | had been led
to expect
4" You have no feelings, Miss Allen
You do not believe ME. hut l do fee
dreadfully upon honor, | dol!
well, told YOU was sorry. What
is the matter;' | snapped.
"You know. very we'll. what | mean
You do not like me as much AS l like
YOU. That's it.
lis that all I" l laughed. why
that is common experience. have nc
doubt like dozens OF persons better
than they do me.
You are determined not to be seri-
ous." be complained. You are laugh
ing at me. Maybe | had better stay
away from you altogether, What do
you say y
IL leave that to you" responded
ungraciously.
We'll. then. will not come to see
ou again.
~ II IL.