Daily Republican., 1880-02-20

bbahoro youiboAs ~ 80 JNss Ro's@eAS
ionly possible, you know-that yor
might do the same thing.
snow, you are angry with me, Kate, u
pleaded the soft voice, "because threw
those flowers aWayi And you won
speak 10 me; and know don't de
serve II darling"
There was 3 moments silence, as
Miss Valentine had expected some sor
Of response to her pretty peniteHce
But she didn't get any; SO, after
brief pause; she went on:
Indeed, Kate, | did not mean 4
grieve you, and won't do II sgain.
am so sorry for my ridiculous freak
Do you suppose he was very angry
Kate! Do you think ought to ask par
don. But then you know, he didn'tse'
me steal round the lawn, when tina
odious Aldrioh was gone, and pick NJ
the roses again.
There were strong symptoms Of com
ing tears--a sort Of quivering sob in
the voice.
"You won't forgive me, Kate' Not
If tell you that really do love yOui
tall, stern brotheri Only, Katy, ! was
silly enough to want to tease him a
little, and test my power over his no.
bic heart. love him, Kate. may
tell you of 1t, dear, without being bold
or upwomanly, because you know we
have often talked about his liking me
littie--aud-oh, Kate, answer me -
don't be 60 cold and cruel Surely
you can't be asleep
"Where are your lips, "cher annie 7"
she coaxed playfully. ~ shall soon
break the magic spell of silence that
binds them. You know you never
could be vexed with me more than five
minutes at time. Why, where's our
hairY where"
She spraug suddenly 70 her feet with
a piercing scream-her wondering hand
had touched the dark heavy moustache
on which Colonel MordRunt prlded
himself so especially.
He strove to catch the hand-to de-
tain the frightened beauty long enough
to plead his cause in earnest, impas-
stoned words, but in vain. Fear seem
ed literally to lend her wings. Away,
like frightened white dove, she few,
uttering wild, hysteric screams, and
fairly falling into the arms of the
as,onisbed Katy Mordaunt, who was
ust coming in frsm the starlighted
garden with both hands full of dewy
branches of honey suckles.
valentine, she exclaimed, drop
ping the spicy blossoms, "why, what
is the matter' What can have startled
you so dreadfullyw
"0h, Katy, Katy! !" sobbed Valen-
tine, olinging TO her friends shoulder
with nervous vehemenoe, "there is
man in your room-a robber-hiding
under your cashmere shawl on the sofa.
Oh, | am nearly frightened to death !"
Katy's serene brown eyes dilated a
little, then frightened into a smiling
archness. "a robberl" she repeated,
with provoking calmness. "Nonsense,
Valentine, you are mistaken. 1t was
only Jack. | saw him go in there
half an hour ago. The idea Of taking
our Jack for robber!' Katy's laugh
ter rippled merrily at the mere fancy.
Only Jacki In the midst of her ter
ror this possibility had never once oc.
Cured TO Valentine Bruce's mind. Only
: ack! The forty thieves would have
faded into mere nothingness before the
mere idea of Col. Mordaunt having
heard all those soft pleading and un-
conscious admissions. One moment
Valentine felt as If every vein through
out her whole frame were filled ~ith
molten hre-then she grew white aud
cold as marble statue. Life and
strength seemed ebbing away from her,
and for the first time in her life Valer-
tine Bruce tainted away.
Katy Mordaunt quietly sprinkled
scented water Oh the paid forehead,
and began to unlace the white muslin
dress. AS she did go, faded bunch of
lowers fell from Valentines bosom,
and Katy smiled to herself as she recog-
1ized the moss buds that had been 80
thrown out on the lawn that
"Tll keep them for jack" said she.
'Ah, Valentine, you'll bs my sister-in-
.aw yet"
How shyly the blue-eyed damsel stole
nto the breakfast room next morning.
She would have cheerfully tasted all
Icy long sooner than enter into the
presence of the tall colonel; but what
vas the use The dreaded first inter
rev must be got over, sooner or later,
% here she was, with dOwncast lashes,
md cheeks dyed pink as the rose oOlored
wrapper she had on. No more haaghty
.irs and graces; no more cool compo-
ure. She was at Mordaunt mercy, and
he knew it. Now, would he take
ruel advantage of her helplessness :
)r would he
But just there her cogitations always =
topped.
He was standing at the window, look
az out upon the morning sunshine
hat bstbed the short, velvsty grass
etore the house, Bat he turned quick
Y as she entered, with a bright, well !
Oming smile. {
Valentine" he said, gently, "was :,
dreaming last night, or did l hear you 1
ay that you loved me Oh, my dar.
ng, tell ms that it was no baseless
ream -
She came slyly to his arms, and nest -
ID there Ike a lluttering fawn, voice -
'ss, yet happy. Still sne was not con- :
,nted. -
II want to hear it from your own =
ps again, Valentine. Nay, dearest, :
ont shrink away SO pleadingly, bat =
1swer me." -
"What shall say 2" she murmur- :
l, timidly raising her soft eyes to his =
ce.
"Tell me that you love me-" W