Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-01-02

since his friend had opened his eyes to
Maud's apparent deceit. lie had been
wondering how he could best give her
10 understand that she need not, for the
future, shower any of her destinations
upon him; andnow, without giving him
one opportunity OF snubbing her, she
entirely ignored his presence, and de-
voted herself to his friend. who was as
much astonished at the aspect OF af
fairs as Percy himself.
! This went on for lays, till Percy,
who, in spite of all, loved her devotediy
was driven almost wild with jealousy,
and openly accused his friend of having
purposely deceived him in regard to
her fortune.hurting propensities, and
of making up tie story TO further his
own ends.
Meanwhile Hrs. CarlycA regarded
with dismay IT, evident fail ure If her
darling project and, moreover, feeling
very sore that ilaud's victim should be
her favorita CO. sin, determined to take
/ the girl to task SO one night, on re-
turning to their several rooms, she fol-
lowed 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 him? l did hope that
you and he were learning to love each
other ; but since Harry Liston came
you have scarcely noticed him."
PerhapsI prefer Mr.. Liston to your
cousin suppose there's no harm in
my doing so?" said Maud, in half de-
tiant tone. and longing to escape from
the searching eyes bent upon her.
Harm No, certainly; there's no
harm in your doing so, but l must con-
TESS l don't understand your choice !;
for, although Percy is my cousin, I
must say he is infinitely superior in
every respect to Mr.. Liston. Besides,
Percy has a handsome fortune, while
the other has not penny to bless him
self with"
And so you, with all the rest of the
world, think am incapable Of disin
terested affection. I thank you for
your good opinion of me, Mary" and
with flashing eyes and burning cheeks
she turned away.
uOu uuucIcthul Jou, Mduuy
said her friend, witha sigh ; but it is
very evident that my interference only
angers you, so 1 will say goodnight !;
but sincerely wish Harry Liston was
at the bottom OF the sea-"
When quite certain that she was
alone, Maud's overwrought feelings
gave way. Very bravely had she acted
her part, but, if she had succeeded in
in making Percy miserable, ten thou
sand times more wretched was she her
self. Only one little bit of consolation
was there for her throughout it all, and
that was that eli 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, which Mrs. Carlyon was
to give in her honor, was to come off
| the next night.
Maud and her hostess were lingering
over their five o'clock tea, after super
intending 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
matter ?" exclaimed:his cousin. "You
are as white as a sheet"
For answer he placed the letter on
her knee.
Eagerly she took it up, and when she
had read few lines, she let it fall from
! her hands, and turning to her cousin
with face almost as white as his own,
she said, in an agitated voice.
"Oh, Percy, it cannot surely be
true the s. Bank gone? Why,
that is the one nearly all your money is
in"
at is" he replied $50, according
to that letter, am a ruined man."
ooh, no, nc it cannot be as bad as
that there may be something saved.
Oh Percy, if not, it would be too dread
full " and the good-hearted little wo-
mans eyes filled with tears. but
you will not leave US tonight? it is too
late for you to do anything this even
ing"
mo; as you say, it is too late to do
anything now, but must leave by the
hIot tIdlu Dut,
Mary dear, keep all this quiet for to-
night, You know" he said with poor
attempt at laugh. Il 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.
K
Maud had escaped to her room, feel.
ing utterly bewildered at the news she
had just heard; and, though deeply
grieved at Percy's misfortune, still she
felt happier than she had felt for
weeks"
Harry Liston, your reign is over"
cried the girl, joyously, "and all now
want is an opportunity of proving pos
itively to Percy that Maud Hesketh is
not the little fortune-hunter his friend
has described her to be-"
As sho stood in her ball dress a few
hours later, q pleased smile passed over
her face as she looked at herself in the
glass. Her dress "a present from Mrs.
Carlyon-was perfect, and very lovely
did Maud look in it.
"Inl*onder if he will like it," she
murmured: and if she could only have