The daily gazette., 1880-01-29

ribbon, and sauntered carelessly up the
gravel walk.
ALI of a sudden he stopped.
"Frank Aldrich's voice." he exclaimed
biting his lips with vexation, as a mer-
ry p, al Of laughter floated through the
purpling twilight from the open mea-
dows beyond. .
"What brings the puppy here, now,
Of all times and seasons in the world ?"
"Hallo, Jackp' said Aldrich, "been
sen imentalizing out In the dew? The
ladies were just fretting over the chance
Of your taking cold"
MordauHt's face frightened up-then
Valentine did think Of him some
times.
"That is," pursued the relentless
Aldrich, "poor, thoughtful sister Katy
said she was afraid you would have a
cold, Miss Bruce said nothing"
Mordaunt's colntenance elongated
sgan. But he stepped forward and lad
the knot of moss roses on the folds of
Valentines white muslin dress, with
few murmured words that nobody could
understand.
"Flowers yet ?" said Frank, supercili-
onsly; "upon my word, Jack is getting
prodig -
Valentine looked careIessly down at
the cluster Of pink buds, and then de-
liberately took them up and tossed them
out upon the lawn.
"Explain, If you please" said Frank,
composedly, while Mordaunt grew scar
let and bit his lips until the flood
started.
"There was worm-a horrid green
worm-on one of the buds" haughtily
said Valentine, shaking off one or two
crimson petals that still adhered to her
dress. 81 have perfect horror of all
such noxious insects"
ado you hear that, Jack?" appealed
Mr.. Aldrich, lazily turning round in his
chair. at is pity you were so unfor-
tunate in the selection of your floral of
fering."
But Mordaunt had left the room. Kate
followed him the next minute.
"Dearest Jack, are you vexed with
Valentine and FrankS They don't mean
TO annoy you, I'm sure"
"Not vexed, DEAR" said Mordaunt,
peaking slowly and sadly "only griev-
ed. am sorry Miss Bruce finds me SO
tisagreeable."
He went up stairs, while Kate hesI-
tated moment below.
"He is better by himself" she said,
mentally "Poor fellow, he's dreadfully
in love, aid wish Valentine and Frank
wouldn't tease him so."
And she went down to gather honey
suckles for the parlor vases, and muse
on her brothers manifold grievances.
ats too bad, so it isl" she murmured,
winkng back to the bright drops that
would sufuse her hazel brown orbs. 81
shall talk seriously to Valentine about it
this evening"
Meanwhile, Mordaunt stalked sulkily
upstairs, into his sisters pretty little sit
ting room, where the muslin curtains
were duttering to aud fro in the delicate
night wind, and the sofa was drawn into
little recess beside table all Uttered
with books and magazines, neede-cases
and thlmbles, aud tie indescribable de-
bris which two girls invariably collect
around themselves in the course of
June afternoon.
He threw himself recklessly down on
the sofa and drew the soft fold of Kate's
cashmere shawl over him, as If jealous
est the soft eyes of the watching stars,
that were just beginning to gem the
heavens, should witness the struggle that
convulsed the strong mans heart.
Not that his grief wrought itself into
any external signs. No; there was
neither groan nor motion more than
tn re had Leen when he was wounded in
battle, and rode at the head of his regi-
ment as bravely as though the red blood
had not been dripping from his arm with
slow and deadly drain. One might al
most have fancied him asleep as he lay
there white and silent, with the curtain
sweeping down about his motionless
head.
"Katyp'
Like the itremulous coo of the wood
pigeon, Valentine's voice murmured the
two soft sylables with the coaxing ac-
| cent of a child. And in the same instant
she knelt down bside the sofa, her white
dress weeping over the crimson carpet
| in tides of translucent pearl, and one
arm thrown carelessly over the folds of
| t 10 det ei fui cashmere shawl. Nor
iaunts first impulse ives to spriag up
and declare his individuality: his second
to lie still and let Fate manage the mat
| ter to suit her capricioHs self. So ho lay
still accordingly, experiencing very
singular and not at all disagreeabls sen
sation from the contact of the caressing
arm.
No doubt, he was treacherous, hypG-
critical wretch; but fair lady or Chi val
rous gentleman, doh'l judge the roor fe.-
low too harshly until sou have been in
precisely the same circumstances your
self. 1t is just possibie-oniy possible;
Won know-tnat you might do the same
thing.
Now, you are angry with me, Katel
pleaded the sof voice, because threw
those flowers away? And you won't
speak to me; aud l know deserve it,
darling"
There was a moments silence, az II
Miss Valentine had expected some sort
of response TO ber pretty penitence.
But she didn't get any; 80, after brief
pause, she went on:
"Indeed. Kate, did not mean to
ericve you, and 1 won't do it again.
am sorry for my ridiculous freak. Do
You suppose he was very angry, Kate
DO you ihiuk ought 10 ask his pardon
But then, you dida't see me steal around
The lawn, when that odious Aldrich was
gone. and pick up the roses again"
There we're strong symptoms of com
ing t t.ars-a. sort of 1u'vering sob in the
voice.
"You won't forgive me, Kate? Not
If tell you that 1 really do love YOU
| roll st.rn hrnther? Only. Kate | wa,