The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-02-05

much astonished at the aspect of affairs
as Percy himself.
This went on for DAYS, till Percy, who
spite OF all, loved her devotedly, was
driven almost wild with jealousy, and
openly accused his friend of having pur
posely deceived him with regard to hel
fortune hunting p1openssries and Of
making up the story to further his own
ends.
Meanwhile Mrs. Carlyon regarded with
dismay the evident failure of her darling
project; and, moreover, feeling very sore
at Maud's victim being her favorite cous-
in, determined to take the girl to task
80 one night, on returning to their sever
al rooms, she followed Maud into hers,
and shutting the door, placed her hands
on the girls shoulder, and looking earn
estly into her face.
"Maud, what is the reason of your be-
havior to Percy? Why are you so changed
toward him2 did hope that you and he
were learning to love each other, but
since Harry Listen came you have scarce
| ly noticed him."
''Perhaps I prefer Mr.. Liston to your
cousin; suppose there is no harm in my
doing so?" said Maud, in half deian:
tone, and longing to escape from the
searching eyes bent On her.
sHarm2 No, certainly no harm in your
doing so; but I must confess | don't un-
derstand your choice; for although Percy
is my own cousin, l must say he is inf
| nitely superior in every respect to Mr.. Lis
ton. Besides, Percy has handsome for
tune, while the other has not penny to
bless himself WITH
'And so you, with all the rest of the
world, think l am incapable of disinter-
good opinion of me, Mary and with
flashing eyes and burning cheeks she
turned away.
L don't understand you, Maud" said
her friend, with sigh; "but it is very
evident that my interference only Anglers
you, so will say goodnight; but sin
cerely wish Harry Liston was at the bot
tom of the sea-"
When quite certain she was alone.
Maud's overweight feelings gave away.
Very bravely had she acted her part, but
miserable, ten thousand times more
wretched was she herself. Only one little
bit of consolation was there for her
throughout it all.and that was that all her
flirting with Harry Liston was dong him
no harm, for, though meeting her more
than half way, she saw that beyond the
filtration there was no deeper feeling in
the matter. Still, how was it all to end2
Her visit was fast drawing to close, and
the farewell ball Mrs. Carlyon was giving
in her honor was to come off that light.
Maud and her hostess were lingering
over their five o'clock tea, alter superin-
tending the last finishing touches to the
ballroom. when the door opened and
Percy Herbert entered the room, looking
very pale and with an open letter in his
hand.
Good gracious, Percy! what is the
matterP' exclaimed his cousin. "You
are white as Sheet"
L For answer he threw the letter on to
her knee.
Eagerly she took it up, but before she
had read more than few lines she let it
drop from her hands, and turning to her
cousin with a face almost as white as his
own she said in all agitated voice:
"Oh! Percy, it cannot surely be true
the s. bank gone? Why, that is the
one nearly all your money is in"
1T is" he replied; $50, according to
that letter, I am ruined mani"
"Oh! no, no; it cannot be as bad as
that: there may be something saved. Oh !!
| Percy, if not, it would be too dreadful !"
and the good little woman's eyes
filled with tears. "But Jou will not leave
us tonight; it is too late for you to do
anything this EVENING""
mo; as you say, it is too late to do
anything now; but must leave by the
first train tomorrow morning. But,
Mary dear, keep all this quiet for to-
night, you KNOW" he said with poor
attempt at laugh. II might not get
any partners if it became known I was
penniless;;'' and turning from his cousin
he looked toward Maud, but her chair
was empty-she had flown.
Maud had escaped to her room, feeling
utterly bewildered at the news she had
just heard; and though deeply grievej
at Percy's misfortune, still she indiv1du
ally felt happier than she had felt fO1
weeks.
Harry Liston, your reign is over,
cried the girl, joyously; "and all 1 now
want is an opportunity of proving posi-
lively to Percy that Maud Hesketh i.
not the little fortune. hunter his friend
described her to be-"
As she stood in her ball dress few
hours later Il pleasant smile passed ovel
her face as she looked at herself in thu
glass. Her dress was perfect-a present
from Mrs. Carlyon-and very lovely die
Maud look In it.
II wonder if he will like it," she muir
INJURED; and if she only could have seer
the expression on his face, as she entered
the room she would not have had man,
doubts on the subject. Maud had NJ
lack of partners, for she was quite tn,
belle of the ball ), but the only one she
cared for had not even spoken to her, ant
she was beginning to feel utterly wear,
and sick Of the whole thing when a ia
n,iliar voice at her elbow asked her TO
the next dance.
''You shall have it with pleasure, Mr.
Herbert" she said, turning to him with
bright smile; but before she had time 70
another word her partner whirled he
away. The first few bars of the mex
dance had hardly begun before Perc,
Herbert claimed her.