The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1879-11-07
VOL. Y.

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Ray Leigh, when Major Black comes
hurriediy forward towards them and
claims Miss French for the German.
Mr.. Hastings does not feel annoyed at
the interruption, but IS rather impressed
with sense Of relief, and strols leisure
ly ont into the brightly illuminated
grounds and there meets Judge Freuch,
who greets him with cordial shake OF
the hand and an offer Of a cigar, which
Hugh accepts, and then, not feeling
altogether satisfied with Miss French's
account of Ray, makes casual mention OF
her absence from the ball, and is cleo
trifed by the Judges answer! "Oh, yes,
poor little girl; she burned her hand
to-day with some smeetmeat or other she
was making for her aunt; dare say she
feels the disappointment greatly, as. she
was in high spirits this morning about
some flowers she had got to match her
dress. blunders the honest old Judge,
sweeping away his daughters little intri-
que, completely, and sending Hugh
Hasting away from his presence with an
abruptness which is past comprehension.
The pain in Rays hand had subsided,
but she felt gloomy and dispirlted, as
she stood under the single gas jet in the
French parlor reading over again the few
lines she had received with the lilies.
This little note was more to her than
words could express, and yet she scarcely
dared to hope for such brightness as this
mans love would bring into her lonely
and loveless life. "He was SO good and
true, fit mate for the loftiest lady ip the
land ;" thought Ray, slipping her dead
mothers poor little wedding ring off and
on her slender white finger.
"No, no, [ am mad to think of such
thing, " thought she, aloud: lit must be
AMY he comes to see. 1t is Amy, whose
life has been one continuous round ofJoy
and delight and Ray Leigh you are a
little fool to think that Hugh Hastings
meant anything by his delicate floral
gifts. " and here she turned suddenly
around, attracted by firm, quick step in
the hall, and the next moment Hugh
Hastings himself stands in her pr"sence'
He crossed the strip of carpet which
separated them, and set her heart to
-throbbing strangely under the sweet
magnetic influence Of his teuder, solicit
Gus eyes. -.
"Is this why you did not wear my lilies
tonight I" he asked, eagerly, touching
her bandaged hands,
eyes, " she answered, briefly, a deli
cious primrose color mounting slowly
into her cheeks; then, with sudden lift
ing of the brown-fringed, delicate lids,
she sees that in his eyes which changes
the primrose into flaming scarlet.
"My darling" was all he said, gather
ing her into his arms, where he could feel
her heart beat "look up, my darling, and
say when I may claim my little wife
look up, my dear one. and speak, for L
am terribly impatient lover" "
II thought it was Amy, " she whispered,
lifting her dark eyes moment to his face.
"No, =" he said emphatically, and was
about to tell her what Amy would have
had him infer as regarded the Flies, but
remembering his own temptation when
under the gIamor Of that young ladys
beauty he desists, and while he is engaged
in the delicious position Of fitting 2 beau
tiful diamond on Ray Leigh's slender
finger, Amy French, annoyed and per
rlexed at her knight-errant's protraeted
absence, complains Of weariness, and IS
at once offered the infatuated Majors
escort home, which she ungracionsly
accepts. Very tenderly he adjusts the
satin-lined cloak around her dainty
shoulders.
"Shall we walk or ride :? y
ooh, let Us walk, if the night j. fine.
Garry my adieus to Mrs. Farley, and tell
papa that I prefer not to wait for the
carriage.
He obeys her impetuous commands,
and together they 60 out under the beau
tiful star-lighted sky-he filed with admi
ration for the fair blonde face which is