The Orangeburg democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1879-1881, 1880-02-27

uNu-
"You do not seem to be enjoying
Yourself as much as usual this even
ing, Mr.. Weston. Have you become
too dignified to join in our frivoli-
ties 2"
"Not at all, but my head aches,
and the exercise"
"Docs not tend to benefit you. No,
please excuse me, Dir. TrafTord, l do
not care to dance just now" This to
Tranord, who having procured her a
seat next 10 our moody friend, had
vanished for short interval. In an
incredibly short time the aspect Of
things was altered for Weston. En-
gagged in animated conversation, the
dance was over before he realized it.,
and again his rival solicited Kate's
hand for the next, but the former
vcntured 10 interfere.
GLOW selfish you are, Tratrord, in
trying to monoEolize Miss Kate this
evening. You give no one else an
opportunity. Now, I have not danced
tonight, Miss Kate, and think you
might let your old friend have the
pleasure once"
"But your headache, Mr.. Weston ?"
"Ah, you have made me forget
,hat!"
Rising, she said, 81 will dance with
you if Mr.. TraTord will be so kind rs
TO excuse me-"
"Ccrtain!y," lie returned politely,
and withdrew, but became their evils
avis" dancing with the most beauti-
ful lady present.
Weston felt considerably clatcd nj
the preference thus shown TO the sup
posed discontinue of the other. He
began to feel that plcasurable excite
ment which had seemed so dull be-
fo:c-what difference there was
between acting the spectator and
participating ones self. After all he
was having nice time. He soon re-
deemed his reputation, for during the
remainder Of the evening he was as
gay rs any present. Afterwards he
did not put himself to the trouble of
watching Katc-how could he seeing
that the smiles and glanccs were now
directed to him, and Tralford the
stimulating cause, hundred miles
away? His depression under the
starlight was thing Of the past, and
lie rested firm in the belief that he
was always the favored one.
For several months nothing occurr-
cd to disturb the pleasant relations
into which they had driflcd back till
one day Weston accidentally saw a
letter directed to. .Trafford-in Hates
hand HTitibg! WhatEa reynlsion J Of
feeling came. over him! He now be-
rated his stupidity in. not suspecting
that they would correspond, or that
the seeing at the party was bit Of
acting .olevcrly cortrived TO blind
him. Of:course Tralford would have
resented her slight had there not hcen
u secret understanding. Now he
knew the meaning Of their seeming
indificrcnce-and heato be 80 easily
duped-no doubt they were laughing
at his expense then. Yes, lie was
satisfied now that she must be trying
TO tlrt with him, in the absence OF
the other he would do as a substitute.
Very 'resentful Mr.. Weston felt, but
glad that fate had favored him before
he had irretrieyebly Committed him
self by word or deed, he determined
to prove that he was not rushing
blindly TO the end, no indeed. When
next they met, he was more cool and
distant than he had ever 'bcen-rot
more reserved and digniGed, though
than Kate herself, who readily adapt
ed her manner TO his, and strict for
mality replaced their former intimacy.
When Weston thought lie had sulli.
cientiy exhibited his Indifference he
was confident he now felt, he wanted
to experiment little, cxult over his
escape from her wiles. SO he took
advantage of the first opportunity to
say to her with engaging address and
made. to-order smile intended to
convey an impression of the undis-
turbcd state Of his mind.
"Whcn have you heard from that
particular friend Of yours, Miss
Katc?"
"To whom do you allude?" she ask
| ed in turn.