The Osceola times., 1879-01-25

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since his friend had opened his eyes Il
Maud's apparent deceit, he had beer
wondering how he could best give her Il
understand that she need not for the
future shower any of her fascinationl
upon him and now without giving him
one opportunity of snubbiDg her shs
entirely ignored his presence and de-
voted her self to his friend, who was q
much sstonished at the aspect Of Attain
as Percy himself.
This went on for days, till Percy, who
in spite OF all, loved her devotedly, wa
driven almost wild with jealousy, and
openly accused his friend with having
purposely deceived him with regard u
her fortune hunting propensities and o
making up the story to further his owl
ends.
Meanwhile Mrs. Carlyon regarded
with dismay the evident failure of heI
darling project; and moreover, feeling
very sore at Maud's victim being hei
fsvOrite cousin, determined to take the
girl to task so one night, on returuin1
to their several rooms, she followed
Maud into hers, and shutting the door,
placed her hand on the girls shoulder
and looked earnestly into her face.
MAUD, what is the reason OF your
behavior to Percy? Why are you so
changed toward him2 l did hope that
you were learning to love each other,
but since Harry Liston came you have
scarcely noticed him."
Perhaps prefer Mr.. Liston to your
cousin; suppose there's no harm in my
doing 10 p said Maud, in half defiant
tone, and longing to escape from the
searching eyes bent on her.
Harm No, certainly no harm in
your doing SO; but must confess ! don't
understand your choice for although
Percy is my own cousin, | must say he
is infinitely superior in every respect to
Mr.. Liston, Besides, Percy has hand
some fortune, while the other has not q
penny to bless himself with"
"And so you, with all the rest OF the
world, think / am incapable OF disinter-
ested affection? thank you for your
good opinion OF me, Mary" and with
flashing eyes and burning cheeks she
turned away.
n don't understand you, Maud" said
her friend, with sigh; "but 1t is very
evident that my interference only angers
you, 30 l will say goodnight; but /
sincerely wish Harry Liston was at the
bottem of the sea-"
When quite certain she WAS alone,
Maud's overwrought feelings gave way.
Very bravely had she acted her part,
but if she had succeeded In making
Percy 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 doing 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 end? Her visit was
fast drawing to a close, and the farewell
ball Mrs. Carlyon was giving in her honor
was TO come of that night.
Maud and her hostess were lingering
over their five o'clock tea, after supsriu.
tending the last finishing touches to the
bali room, when Percy Herbert entered
the room, locking very pale, and with
an open letter in his hand.
"Good gracious, Percy! what is the
matter9" exclaimed his cousin. You
are white as a sheet"
For answer he threw the letter on To
her knee
Eagerly she took it up, but before she
had read more than a few lines she let il
drop from her hands, and turning 10 heI
cousin with face almost as white as his
own she said in an sgitated voice:
"Oh Percy, it cannot surely be true
the S.. bank gomez Why, that il
the one nearly all your money Is in"
at is," he replied $50, according IA
that letter, am ruined man ]"
"Oh no, no; it can not be as bad ss
that; there may be something saved
Oh Percy, if not, 1t would be too dread
full" and the good hearted little womsn's
eyes filled with tears. "But you will not
leave us tonight it is too late for you
to do anything this evening 2"
"No; as you say, 1t is too late to do
any thing 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 q poor
" laugh. Il might not get any
partners If it became known | was pen
niless; :" 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 aud, though deeply grfeved
at Percy's misfortune, still she iudivid.
ually felt happier than she had felt for
weeks. -.
HARRY Liston, your reign Is over ="
cried the girl, joyousiy "and all now
want is an opportunity OF proving posi-
lively TO Percy that Maud Hesketh IL
not the little fortune-hunter his friend
described her to be-"
As she stood in her ball dress a few
hours later a pleasant smile passed over
her face as che loosed at herself in the
glass. Her dress was pretty-.a present
from Mrs. Carlyon-- land very lovely did
Maud look in 1t.
"I wonder il he will like it," she muir
INJURED and If she only could have seen
the expression on his face as she entered
the room she would not have had many
doubts on the subject. Maud had no
lack of partners, for she was quite the
belle OF the ball; but the only one she
cared for had not even spoken to her,
and she was beginning TO feel utterly
weary and sick OF the whole thing when
a familiar voice at her elbow asked her
for the next dance.
"You shall have it with pleasure,
Mr.. Herbert" she said, turning 10 him
with bright smile; but before she had
time for another word her partner
whirled her away. The first few bars OF
tha naxi hanoa hai hardly haunn hs fnra