Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-11-06
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girls shoulder, and looked earnestly into
her face.
MAUD, what is the reason of your be-
havior to Percy? Why are you so changed
toward him? / did hope that you and he
were learning to love each other: but
since Harry Liston came you have scarce
ly noticed him.
Perhaps prefer Mr.. Liston to your
cousin; suppose there is no harm in my
doing 500" said Maud in half defiant
tone, and longing to escape from the
searching eyes bent upon her.
Harm No, certainly there's no harm
in your doing so, but ! must confess |
don't understand your choice; for, al
though Percy is my own cousin, must
say he is infinitely superior in every re-
spect to Mr.. Liston Beside. Percy has
handsome fortune. while the other has not
penny TO bless himself with"
$50 you with all the rest Of the world.
think am incapable OF a disinterested af-
lection. thank you tor your opinion If
me Mary and with flashing eyes and
burning cheeks she turned away.
II don't understand you. Maud "a
her friend with sigh; but it i vcr'
evident that my interference only anZers
YOU, 50 ! will say goodnight; but sin
cerely wish that Harry Liston was at the
bottom of the sea''
When quite certain that she was alonr
Maud's over-wrought feelings gave way
Very bravely had she acted her part. but
il she had succeeded in making Percy
miserable ten thousand times more wretch
ed was she herself Only one little bit of
consolation was there for her throughout
# all. and that was that all her flirting
- \ "A ~ mol tF
for though meeting her more than halt
way, she saw that beyond the Irritation
there was no deeper feeling in the matter.
Still how was it all to end +? Her visit was
fast drawing TO close, and the farewell
ball, which Mrs Carlvon 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 suprrin-
tending the last finishing touches to the
ball room, 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 mat
ter?' exclaimed his cousin. "Iou are rs
white as a Sheet
For answer he placed the letter on her
knee.
Eagerly she took it up, but when she
had read a 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
1T is" he replied; $50, according to
that letter. | am IA ruined man.
"Oh. no. no ? it cannot be as bad rs that ;
there may be something saved Oh,
Percy. il not, il would be too dreadful w
and the good hearted little woman's eyes
filled with tears but you will not leave
ustonght it is too late for you to do any
thing this evening"
"No; as you say, it is too late to do any
thing now. but | must leave by the first
train tomorrow morning. But. Mary
dear. keep all this quiet Tor tonight. you
know he said, with poor attempt mt n
laugh. might not get any partners If it
became known | was penniless; 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 bcwildered ut the news she had
mt Percv's misfortune. still she felt hap
pier than she had lclt tor weeks
Harry Lston yoir reign is now over
cried the girl. joyouslv land all want
now is an opportunity of proving positive
ly to Percy that Maud IIcsketn is not the
little fortune-huntcr his friend had de
scribed her to be-"
As she stood in her ball dress few
hours later. pleased smile passed over
her face rs she looked ut herself in the
GLASS Her dress present from Mrs.
Carlyon-was peiect. and very lovely did
Maud look in it,
IL wonder il he will like it, she muir
INJURED and if she could only have seen
the expression on his face as she entered
the room. she would not have any doubts
on the subject. Maud had no lack oi
partners. for she was quite the belle of ball.
but the only one she cared for had not
even spoke to her. and she was beginning
to feel utterly weary and sick of the whole
thing. when familiar voice ut her elbow
asked her for the next dance.
"You shall have il with pleasure Mr..
Herbert" she said. turning to him with a
bright smile. But before she had time
for another word her partner whirlcd hen
AWAY The first few bars of the next
dance had hardly begun before Percy Her
bert claimed her.
II thought you did not intend asking
me to dance tonight she said. rs they
walked through the ball room into the
conservatory.
IL did not think you cared for my socie-
ty for some time past
Perhaps have had reasons for not do
ing so; but she added quickly. Il must
tell YOU how very sorry am for what
heard this afternoon. 1t is. indeed. a sad
loss"
Yes. it's not pleasant confess; but.
thank heaven. am strong and not very
old and have always longed for a life
of adventure SO if the worst is realized.
shall try my fortune in a new country.
suppose we shall soon have to congratI-
late YOU. Miss IIesketh?" he said. after a
slight pause.
Congratulate me- what do You mean?
am not engaged, nor am likely to be. y
You astonish me. | thought Liston
was to be the happy man.
"Mr. Liston is nothing 10 me nor ever
will be-" she said hurredly.
..nl H., hn