The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1882-07-02

buJ lne HdFutu IL tOUlt odlu ltTC1s
So people seem 10 think" she answered,
laughing.
For every one had poured out of the ball
room TO the cool night air, and the white
dresses glinmercd dimly among the trees on
the small lawn.
They have placed the refreshment.table
out there" said the young man. "D ont
you want some claretcupW
The want was supplied, and they sat
down on rustic seat near the table. The
lawn seemed nearly as full as the dancing
room had been few minutes before and
Clare watched Gertie, as she saw her evil
IDENTIFY engaged in a furious Irritation with
man whom she knew Percy disliked.
She must do IL TO vex him." Clare
thought quite ignorant that Gertie had not
once thought of MIR. Moray this evening.
From the veranda sounded the watning
bars Of u galop, and the lawn began TO he do
serted. Glare would have risen, but Percy
stopped her.
Don't go yet" he said; "at least, ityou
are not engaged for this"
But am"
Then let your partner find you"
''No, really must go. want
cob, know what you want-to avoid
me-"
Mr., Moray"
"I beg your pardon if am rude; but how
have offended your"
"You have mott
Then why do you always try &c escape
speaking to me What have done ?"
Nothing. l. ~
Why do you stop oh, Glare, Clare
don't you know that love you ,"
There was silence. For one moment n
great pulse of Joy throbbed through the girls
whole being, and then came the sckening
remembrance of Gertie.
you must know IT," the young man said
passionately. "You must have seen And
thought--Clare, can't you love me 2''
There was no one else near TO hear the
heavily whispered ono"
" Then what made me think-for | did
think-Clare. you are not flirt, like these
girls here. Why were you kind If you never
meant to have me Why did you let me
imagine itf'
She could only say, beg your PARDON"
humbly.
"why should your Only look straight at
me and say, Il do not love YOU and will
leave you, but not till them"
She could not tell that lie TO him who
trusted her, and yet she did not wish to be-
tray her real reason and Gertie's pride.
You don't speak; you do care for me l
knew IL, my Glare"
He would have taken her hand, but she
withdrew II.
{" How about Gertie ~ she said quietly.
care you not engaged l''
He did not answer for moment, then said.
" Is that childish bond TO stand between
you and me Glare, Gertie and | are nothing
to each other now; we have outgrown our
fancy long ago.
.You may have; she has not. Percy, if
trust You with her heart secret respect il.
She loves you, and all her gayety is put on
TO hide her pain at your neglect. Oh, think
how base must feel-her friend whom she
trusted-to let you speak so to me-"
Z" lou base you, Clare darling I've been
Il thoughtless brute, and see il now. For
give mel"
eyes"
"And love me %
He spoke timidly, as knowing he would be
denied. Her answer came very low:
I" shall have to learn not to do 500
" Then you do ?" he said quickly.
I" / cannot help it," and there was break
of a sob in her voice
"And you ask me to give you up, know
ing that-to win my heaven on earth, and
turn away from il Clare, you cannot"
must, " and the bitter agony of her tone
only showed the frmness of her resolve.
Percy, you are honorable; don't make me
despise you, as should if you were false to
Gertie."
But, Clare, love you, not Gertie."
&C She loves you," Clare answered, with
the sublime unreasonableness of woman.
And right is right, though it is hard-oh,
so hardn'
ct is something to hear you say that il is
hard" he answered in n smothered tone.
But you don't know how cruel you are to
me, or how you have grown into my life.
never meant to love, but this evening when
| saw you felt must speak and know if
you--"
She laid her hand on his.
And you have made IL all the harder for
me, - he said. If had still thought that you
did not care for me | might have turned to
Gertie; but now"
"You will do what is right, !" she answered,
while the tears would spring to her eyes.
"Right! Is it right to marry girl do not
lovew
"You will learn to do so; she is so dear,
you cannot help it,
"Cannot /? Clare, your face is the one
face for me on earth, you the one woman
She rose, blindly, nobly wrong in her self
denial.
al cannot listen to more" she said in O
choked voice; to her own heart she added, 81
dare not"
Clare' he rose and caught her wrists
There was no one to see; the garden was
again dark and silent, except where the light
streamed from the veranda. 81 only want to
say good bye"
"Do you think | could 60 on as am
I,,,, IA, tIn n,,t l.
every day, and know that you love me, and
1t would drive me mad. No; shall leave
here by to-morrow's boat"
"But, Percy"
"You need not think that" he said, with
a sudden fierce burst of anger, eff she and
| were alone on this earth, | would not
| marry Gertie. You have done her no good
or, rather, no harm. Dear little thing, she
| deserves a better fate than husband who
does not care for her"
There was silence then Percy spoke
again, his voice strangely humble and gen
| tie:
cone kiss, Glare, for our goodbye; only
| one, my dear"
No." she said, and her tone was both
stern and surprised.
He said 10 more; side by side they re-
| turned TO the house. Clare's heart was full
| with the unutterable longing toturn TO the
man beside her and say, Stay !" Percy's
with wild turmoil of anger and love. He
| felt dimly that his love gave him right
| over Clare that her power, like
| to weave sweet words" had been exerted
wrongly; that her sacrifice was n needles,
one, which would mar both their lives, and
for no good.
A hard grasp of her hand, low spoken
good -bye in answer TO her whispered I" For
give me - and he was gone. When would
she see him again Dizzy and faint Will
dull misery, she sat down in the veranda.
" | think this is our dancer"
| The voice woke her up, and she saw stand
ing by her tall man, with puffy, foolish
good-natured face.
| Z" am so very tired" she answered
"wll you excuse me ?"
| Certainly, You look faint, Miss Graf
tan may Iget you glass Of water ?"
| " Ii You will he SO kind