The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-11-24
MISS MONKT0N'S MAR
RIAGE.
BY THE AUTHOR OF "a FRENCH HEIREsS
IN HER OWN CHATEAU"
CHAPTER III -(CoNTINUED.)


But you can't deny that it's true"
Humphrey now seemed to have ex-
hausted his powers of conversation. He
got up and walked off along the room, as
il the sight of the dancers was too much
for reasonable being
Mrs. Bushe could not feel sorry for
Humphrey, but one must confess she felt
anxious about Letitia, and watched her
and Crosby together as nervously as he
did. Letitia's happiness, and Crosby's
devotion, could hardly escape the blind
est eyes. However, Sir George presently
came back into the ballroom, and Mrs.
Bushe was glad that he should see for
himself; she could not make up her mind
to speak to him, to bring poor dear Lett
tia into scrape. One ought not to be
surprised if girls were little thoughtless,
and gave themselves up to the pleasure
of the moment, without considering pos
sible consequences.
Everybody agreed that it was de-
lightful ball, though the drive home was
rather more silent than the drive there
had been.
Letitia took off her wraps and came
and stood by her Cousins fire, gazing in
it a minute or two rather dreamily. 1t
was 50 unusual for her to look thoughtful
that Mrs. Bushe was rather alarmed.
care you tired, LetitiaT' she said.
"No. Cousin Florinda, / think Hum
phrey Barrett is without exception the
most odious man"
"My dear, after all their hospitality~
"Well, l can not help it. A man must
be odious who sees you don't like him,
and yet plaques and torments you with
his politeness. I hope l shall never go
to the house again"
Mrs Bushe was silent, and only hoped
that this violent hatred Of Humphrey
Barrett did not mean an opposite feeling
for somebody else.
"Well, poor man." she said at last, as
Letita also remained silent, "it is pity
that he troubled himself to be attentive
to you. He meant well, no doubt"
He certainly is the most disagreeable
person l ever met" said Letitia. Gust
look at the contrast between him and
Captain Crosby"
"My dear, such remarks on gentlemen
10 not come we'll from young girl like
YOU"
Mrs. Bushe spoke very gravely and
gently. Letitia colored, but looked up
with fearless, open eyes,
"You think don't know what am
talking about, and am only fanciful," !"
she said. ''But l have good reason, can
tell you. Did you see that little affair at
the cloak-room doorw
"No; what was it?' said Florinda, in
stantly interested, and forgetting the
function of reprover.
"Well, you had gone on with Mr. Bar
rett. Humphrey, declare to you, was
nowhere to be seen. Papa was in the
hall, talking to that old Admiral. Cap
tain Crosby had my shawl in his hand,
and was just going to put it over my
shoulders, when Humphrey started
round some corner and literally snatched
it from him. That's my business, sir,
he said, in the voice of an old bear. 0,
cousin Florinda, Captain Crosby behaved
so well. / was in horrid fright, as you
may suppose. | turned round and looked
at them, and even thought of crossing
over at once to papa, for their faces were
as red as fire. But he saw that | was
frightened, and he said. in the coolest,
quietest way, Pardon me, sir. / was not
aware that you were close by" Hum
phrey did not say word; but the scowl
on his face was too hideous and dreadful.
Twas obliged to take his arm, and let
him bring me down the steps, but as
sure you l could hardly say goodnight
civilly. My dear, it was plain to me
that Barrett wanted to pick a quarrel
with Captain Crosby; and he would
have succeeded, too, if | had not been
there" r.
'T am glad Captain Crosby behaved SO
well-so Ikea gentleman"
II wonder if he will say anything
about it to papav'
II think not. No; he will probably
never mention it again. lam very sorry,
my dear, that you should have been SC
upset. Mr.. Humphrey Barrett will be
sorry, too, | dare say, tomorrow"
"Eot he; it was just like him." said
Letitia. "Tell me, cousin Florinda"-
laughing little--"is that the usual way
of-of-trying to make oneself agreeable
to a ladyw
'Not if one thinks about it, I imagine
But these are things, you know, which
put people out Of sorts, and make then
forget themselves. Probably the poo
young man did not enjoy the ball so mucl
as he expected"
"Then am sure he was very selfish,
said Letitia. Her good spirits seemed tt
have returned; she smiled sweetly, ant
kissed her cousin in a sudden little over
flow of happiness and affection. "Good
night Pm going to bed, said she; ''bu
/ can't feel sure about sleeping"
Mrs. Bushe would not keep her, ant
dared not ask any more questions abou
her enjoyment of the ball. But sh
stole into the inner room on her night
visit an hour later, and found her dea
charge sleeping peacefully.
CHAPTERIV.