Morris tribune., 1880-12-30
APAIR OF SLIPPERS.

sun was SHINING upon Il uhtuohu LIEU WIN
which glittered upon every branch and with
cred vine, and was reflected from the daz-
zling pavement, covered with thin glazing
of ice. There was a vexed, painedlook up
ON his handsome face, and his steps were
reckless, because his heart was impatient
and sore.
Beautiful as ever" he muttered to HIM
self, land colder than ever. There she
sat with her friends, exquisitely dressed,
quiet, and as unmoved by my presence as II
l had not been away for five days, writing
to her by every mall hungering for sight
of her used to think this calmness was the
perfection of high breeding; now know 1t,
for the sign of cold heart and absent mind.
Not even to come for a moment into the IL
brary when 1 gave her such a preteXt! There
stood like fool for a quarter of an hour,
turning over the books, and thinking every
minute she would come. All, vel" he sigh
ed, 1T is my doom to love her and to marry
her: now how to thaw the ice will be the lead
out question. Here comes my pretty neigh
Dor, with the bright cordial smile 1t does one
good to meet! l should think such bit OF
sunshine would have melted Fred Boone
stiffness by this time, if, as people say, they
are engaged. But he looks as much a ram
rod as ever. Good morning, Miss" Here,
to his and her intense surprise, he sat down
on the pavement at her feet. The careless
foot had slipped upon the treacherous ice,
and his downfall was complete.
A quick tide of changing expressions
chased themselves over Rosamond Vane's
bright face. First fun, then CONSERVATION,
Frightened and softened in her hazel eyes;
but her mouth remained preternaturally
grave. Instead of scrambling up again, he
sat quite still, and looked at her comicaly
Please laugh, he said; Il know you are
dying to-"
A soft mirthful peal rang from her pref
ty lips, and she exclaimed: "Oh, Mr..
Blount, do getup. l am quite unused tc
have gentlemen PROSTATE themselves before
me, and it is quite embarrassing though
complimentary. Then, as he tried to rise
her face changed to pity. "You have hurt
yourself-where? Have you broken an.
bones?"
"a few" he answered. with a smile anC
a writhe; but l have a good many left
thank you. No, it is a wrench or sprain OF
some sort. 1t will pass in moment" anc
he turned very pale as he rose and felt the
full force of the twist he had given himself
What can do for you?" asked Rosa,
mond.
1--WE are very near your house. Do yot
think you can walk, or is there anybody
can call? and she looked around the de-
serted street, where even the policeman
was missing true to the spirit of the ole
conundrum: What is invisible blue?-A
policeman when he is wanted"
IF could persuade this lamp post to come
too should get along very WE'LL" he an
swered, trying to laugh; but don't quit
see my way to letting it 60"
Lean upon me" said Rosamond, will
an earnest blushing face. ''It will hell
you, and the distance is really short.
II could not think of it, Miss Fane," h
replied. But if you would take my arm
perhaps might steady myself so. 1 shall
feel all right in a minute.
So Rosamond put her hand well in hi
arm, and pressed it firmly and closely a
they moved slowly on. A lover-ike attitud
it seemed to distinguished-loo younl
man who approaching, eyed them curiously
then his face grew white as Miss Vane'
grew rosy, and she exclaimed, quite lou'
enough, as she thought, for him to hear
"Oh. here is Mr.. Boone; he will help yo1
much better than I"
But even as she spoke he had raised hi
hat in a stiff silence and passed on.
Rosamond stood quite still for momenti il
her bewilderment, and the tears swelled in
to her eyes.
Did he not recognize me?" she asked
piteously.
ooh yes, I think So" answered Phili]
Blount. ''Mr. Boone was perhaps in
hurry-some appointment" Andhe looke'
at her with kind pity in his eyes as the vary
ing color and changing expression betrayed
her emotions of surprise, pain, and finall
quiet displeasure. She said nothing more
however. Perhaps this was not the frs
blow that her trust had received during he
three months engagement.
Only few steps more, and his labore'
breath and white face told of so much suf
fering that she was glad to find their DIES
tination close at hand.
"Now sit on this step moment" sh
said, and ran lightly up to ring the bell ant
call the servant to his masters aid. 81 hop
you will feel better very soon," she said
earnestly, as she held out her hand for good
BY,
''And you, my kind neighbor, hope II av
done you no harm in any way" he answered
i'll the same tone.
And she said, pressing her lips togethe
very firmly after she had spoken, NO yo1
have done me no harm in any acay."
Several days passed, and Rosamond say
neither of the two men who had played 81
prominent part in her morning walk.
She had sent to inquire after Mr.. Bloun
with her mothers compliments-and hat
learned that he had not Been able to leav
his room, but a short rest would probabl.
make him all right.
And almost disappointed was she, whe1
beautiful basket of roses came to her. Il
read on the card his name, instead of find
ing in it a tardy but acct pit lble token o
penitence from her own absent lover Still
the days passed on, and she bided her time
displeased thoughtful, yet ready with tru
woman's heart to listen to excuses-read
to be easily propitiated. But absence an,
silence still reigned.
At last he came. She met him in tn
parlor, as grave as he, and shook hands il
as unmoved way as if they were ordinar
acquaintance.
81 have to ask an explanation" he said
stiffiy, as he sat down at little distance
and looked coldly at her;
"And I too have to ask an explanation O
your conduct" said Rosamond quietly.
Il suppose you refer to my absence 70
the last ten days?" he replied. 81 hav
been out of town."
Indeed! was not aware of it, she said
Formerly you thought it worth while t
tell me your movements, to write to m
when you were away. All that is over now
it would seem, and you are changed; conse
quently you can not complain if too al
changed"
''This is not at all the right way to loo
at the matter" he answered, loftily. Sc
left town because I did not wish to see yo
for the present. did not write, because
wished to mark my displeasure at your con
duct. I require of you now to explain VIII
you suffered yourself to walk in broad day
light leaning upon another mans arm, nc
even quitting your hold when you saw me
quite careless not only of public opinion
but of mine"
IHe ceased, and sat very stifay upright
with his chin held loftily in the air.
Rosamond looked at him thoughtfully TO
moment, and when she spoke her voic
was very quiet and low.
Fred" she said, II do not wish an,
fencing or playing about the true issue o