, 1880-09-20

Portugal laurels around, and moon
beams shining through rift in the
dark bough overhead-Cosy, the dear
little girl of his hopes and dreams. the
sweet little love for whose sake he had
travelled many thousands of miles, and
resigned willingly all the advantages
that might have accured to him from
longer stay in the land of pagodas and
pigtails? Gould it be that the gay
trifing girl whose merry laugh had
reused him from his reveries was his
own sweet Cosy, who, despite her hatred
of smoking and her passionate temper,
had so often timidly confessed her love
for him. and in whose pure eyes he had
read nothing but truth and honesty?
Oh, it was impossible, simply impossi
ble-he could never have been SO de-
ceived!
For few moments he stood thus in
miserable anxious thought; then he step
ped from under the cedar-boughs into
the soft, clear moonlight and drew
deep breath. Looking down. he saw
something glittering at his feet. He
stopped and picked up jeweled snake
i-Cosy's bracelet ! He recognized it at
once for he had taken great dislike to
seeing it on her arm and had begged
her several times not to wear it. Cosy had
been -sry proud of it, as being the most
valuable ornament she possessed; but
she had very prettily yielded to his
wishes, once strongly urged, and had
not worn it for many weeks. But the
finding of the bracelet now was tbs enc
thing George Wharton needed to prove
to him that he was neither mad nor
dreaming in thinking that it was Cosy
who had passed but few moments be-
fore.
False and cruel as the emblem she
wore!" murmured George. "And l
would have staked my life on her good
ness and faithfulness!"
He went into the lite bower, and sit
ting down by the rickety wooden table,
strewn with fancy-work and books be-
longing to Cosy and her sister. he leaned
his head upon his arms. and a few
great sobs struggled upwards from his
proud wrung heart. All the years be-
fore him were desolate blank. He
must mover see her again, the false de-
ceitful girl Ee must take up the du-
ties he had resigned so gladly only a
few months before and away, in far
country, without home, wife, or child,
his days would henceforth be passed in
routine of dull monotonous work for
his country's service. Such was his
outlook for the future-a future un-
cheered, unlighted by one ray of com
ing Joy Or one smile or kiss.
\ shadow darkened the doorway,
and, with sudden desperate effort he
went out and faced the intruder. It
was Cosy, without the satin hood, and
looking very pale, with swollen red
eyelids, and her pretty evening dress of
delicate cashmere wet and draggled,
through trailing it over the damp grass
and paths. She started back upon
seeing her lovers face, and snivered a
little as she drew her clinging dress
about her.
"This is your bracelet, 1 believe"
began George, struggling to preserve a
dignifed reserve and GOODNESS of man
ner. g I found it here only few mo-
ments ago."
Seeing the pale face, with the eyes
no longer glowing and bright with an
ger, but full Of sorrowful pleading and
remorse, he could say no more. For
several moments there was profound
silence; then George Wharton reused
himself, and offering her the bracelet,
was about to pass by her, when she
laid her hand upon his arm, and so de-
tanned him.
Cosy" he said almost despairingly,
turning to her and wondering what
her conduct could possibly mean, chow
could you do it when I loved you
so?
" l am sorry. DEAR" returned Cosy,
trying not to cry again. q know it
was very wrong of me to get into such
a rage; but 1 had waited for you so
long; and Of course I thought Daisy
had given you my message-you know
it's really her fault after all. 1 had
something to tell you-something very
important; and, when you never came,
l naturally thought you preferred to
smoke rather than listen to nae, and I
was angry-I confess it. But you need
not believe everything l say at such
tines"
cosy. what are you talking about
Have you taken leave of your senses?
Don't you know it is not five minutes
since l picked up this proof Of your
heartless conduct the bracelet you
now have in your hand ?"
"This bracelet Why, what have /
done now? l thought you hated it; so
gave 1t to Daisy. I'm sure you used
to say you hated it. It is you who have
taken leave of your Senses"
" But did you not pass here five min
utes ago with Wynyard ?"
" Daisy did. That is what I wanted
to tell you-Daisy and Percy"
. But she had your hood on"
" Had she? Oh, very likely! We do
wear each others things in the most
shameful Way."