The daily gazette., 1880-02-05

brave It out though fully conscious that
there Remained traces OF tears on her
face, and that the scattered leaves Of
tie cameiia were BY her side to ten their
sI am feeling tired and heated, Mr..
Manlsyp she began In tolerably COM
posed manner. "Are you looking for
eyes, he replied; s'your mamma sent
me 20 look for you, Miss Efinghsm;yo you
have been missing SO long. Wll you not
allow ne TO get you some refresh nents?
If you are warm, You are scarcely wise
to remain In his draught. e
Ellie thought that the best thing that
she ronld do was to comply, sccordingly
took his proffercd arm
Louis led her t. the supper room, and
they were soon seated just where Elise
had seen the strange tableau entered.
She did her best to talk In her usually
lively strain, but her yalhes were O little
too sarcastic to pass current. e1afip
Mr.. Manley helped her to q glass OF
wine, but made NO effort 20 enliven the
conversation. Elise had NO DOUBT that
he was thinking. what q rude, foolish
girl she was TO destroy his sresllythought
ful present. sr,4 4ola
She emptiad her glass az quickly %
possible, and managed to eat q biscuit,
and then she proposed joining the rest
Of the party. $500 1898 Hf
ono, please. not YET" said her partner,
with look that few hours ago would
have made Elise happy, whereas It nov
only made her end Q conversation which
was every moment becoming more and
more embarrassing. @
"No. Elise. YOU must not co. he con-
tinued, in q constrained voice. "Where
h I'VE you kept yourself all the evening"
have not caught glimpse OF you"
Elise felt angry, fancying that some.
how he had guessed her secret, and
testify: St59@54
al am quite as loss to know what
yon mean, Mr.. ManieyS you must be
oovhned TO the one who doubtless has
the best right to receive them"
"Nay, Miss EMngham, thar Is rather
q seye . speech, and am sure you will
not get any one 20 coincide with you,"
replied Louis, speaking az though he
had meant Joke. =
Elise saw this, and tried to carry on
the illusion, saying In . bantering tone:
ono, no, Mr.. Manley, not II tnsy had
seen that pretty little scene under the -"
and she lifted her eyes to the mistle-
toe.
At first Louis looked perplexed, but
he soon burst into an uncomfortable fit
Of laughter.
Surprised and vexed, Elise rose to
leave the room, but again she was re-
tanned by her companion saying In an
eager voice, ''Do allow me to explain
my apparent rudeness, Miss Eflngham.
Is it possible you do not know niy sis
ter z" exclaimed Louis, half-plsased,
half,amused expression, stealing across
his features.
"Your sister, Mr.. Manley |" reiterated
Elise. al never knew you had sister" ("
she added, and the sense of relief that
crept INFO her heart was dept tied 90
vislbly in her face that would. have told
Its own tale to one Less interested In 1t
than WA. Louis Manley. "Do introduce
"you are really naughty"
Louis Manley had no intention Of al
lowing such an advantage to pass By
unimproved. He was quite quick
enough to read the state Of affairs, and
rejoiced 70 discover that the girl he had
loved for months was not so Indifferent
to him as he had been led to fear from
her gay, bantering manner.
He had already the fathers consent TO
win the daughter if he could, and think
ing truly that he might never have
another opportunity like the present, he
SAID, In q voice tremulous with emo
uon:
mot yet, Elise; have something
more to say. May I claim q place in
your regard? do not speak, without
your fathers appreciation. Let me hope
that one day you will be mere to Ade-
laide than friend. May not introduce
you to her as her future sister-in-law2
We cannot tell exactly what answer
Elise gave; perhaps she could not tell
herself; but IL was not q very unfavor-
Able one, II we may rely on Miss Emily's
word, for she declared the mex. day that
she hal seen Mr. Manley kiss Elise by
the mstletoe, though he could not get
under It.
Whether such was the case or not we
will not pretend to say; all we know Is,
ttat they were partners In the country
dance tnat finished the evenings amuse-
ment. and seemed the happiest of the
happy, and the following day the gentle
man had > long talk with papa In the
very same library where still hung the
mistletoe, looking faded and out Of
placs-but never mind, 1t had done Its
duty.