The National tribune., 1882-08-05

| 'N~4N' ptal h SSs'O
a tall tree-fern.
what splendid waltzer you are!" be
said graciously. Did they teach you that
! in Paris?"
She answered pleasantly, with manner
so unaffected and smile so bright, that
Hugh recalled with wonderment the stiff
primness which had characterized her every
gesture and word when last they met. How,
he asked himself, could four short months
have brought about so striking difference.
Their talk flowed gaily on, for Hugh
melted and warmed under the influence OF
his companions gracious manner, until
Pauline, being in request for another dance,
dismissed her cousin with parting intima-
tion that she hoped to meet him the follow
ing evening at the house of a mutual friend.
"We shall be there early" said she with
an ingenious air. "If you like to come by
10 o'clock can give you the first quadrille."
Hugh went home bewildered; and enter
ing his room in the gray morning twilight,
threw himself into an easy chair, and medi-
tated there till sunrise.
What! This girl, so mindless, so world
less, so prudish, so unsympathetic, whom q
mistaken devotion to the interests of kinship
would have forced npon him as a wife, had
suddenly changed her whole nature and
become genial frank, intelligent charming!
Hugh could make nothing OF the mystery.
It did not occur to him that he too must
have appeared to Pauline that night under
a new and very different aspect from that
presented by the gruif and unamiable young
man who had been offered her for a hus-
band. Let that have been as it may, how
ever, it is not on record that MademOiselle
Lestrange made any observation OF this
latter kind to her mother.
Lady Leigh's ball was but the first Of a
goodly number of dances and "at homes
at which the cousins were destined to meet
Hugh told himself that to attempt avoiding
such meetings would be childish and affected ;
and thai, moreover, as Pauline showed no
evidence of embarrassment or annoyance in
his presence, but, on the contrary, a most
natural and perfect gaiety of speech and
manner, he ought not to consider himself
an obstacle to her enjoyment
One circumstance only began, little by
little to disturb the peaceful equanimity of
Hugh's existence. There was certain
Colonel Spiers Gordon, tall, handsome
officer Of the hussars, with whom Pauline
danced much. who rode often beside her in
the park, and whose presence at Madame
Lestrange's afternoon tea was not infren""~'
It was Hugh admitted to himself, supleue
ridiculous to feel annoyed by such Eg
incidents rs these for the Colonel was
man of the best reputation personal and
his pedigree and fortune were all tha Iss-
fair could desire. Hugh examined hi uAld
deeply On the subject, and found there
nothing to account for the incipient m rust
and discomfort which this acquai .lncs
caused him. Pauline was his cousi1 GER
tainly, but in the third degree only, a his
interest in her welfare was compara ely
remote and Of q merely friendly chaIacler
Doubtless his uneasiness arose from TIC Iu-
congruity presented to his mind by the ldeH
of marriage possibly taking place bet Teeu
so young girl and the Colonel; To- I1a7
latter must certainly have attained hiss
fortieth year, while she was not yet uin1
teen. Hugh had sufficient regard 70 -ta
cousin to feel some s0licitude for her hap
piness as a wife, and to wish for her a ls-
band at least more suitable in age than has
gallant hussar. Young Lestrange was uel
a little comforted at having thus sais'
factorily solved the secret of his disquiet de.
II had looked at the outset SO suspiciou-t tT
like latent flame of jealousy, that to e.
assured of the harmleSsneSS of its true na
was most gratifying. To have been jeal oye
even in the smallest degree, would 1r.
implied the existence of feeling in regard
to Pauline which it was absolutely and
eternally impossible he should ever enter
tain; and he was we'll acquainted with the
fact that she, on her part, held similar i'm
mutable views i'll respect to herself
One brilliant May noOntide, Mademoiselle
Lestrange, entering the breakfast room on
her return from her morning ride found her
mother apparently absorbed in meditation
over letter which lay open on a table at her
elbow beside Il cup of Untasted chocolate.
When she saw Pauline, she started slightly,
and refolded her letter, but observing her
daughters eye upon it as she did so, said
lightly:
"From Colonel Gordon, dearest"
"No bad news, hope?" asked Pauline in
the same tone, gathering up the folds Of her
habit and contemplating the splashes upon it.
With a smile Madame Lestrange put the
letter into her daughters hand.
Pauline read it hastily, the rosy color gath
ering brightly over her face and throat; +;
then, turning again to her mother, she said
in low, tremulous tone:
$50 he wants Inc to be Madame Spiers
Gordon"
"They call it Mrs in this country" re-
piled her mother correctively, and with an
expression Of playfulness.
well, mamma, will you please say Mop"
"Now echoed Madame Lestrange, aston
ished. "Surely, my dearest, you don't mean
to refuse such an offer as this 2"
"Why should Iaccept it?" returned Paul
inc. " | do not care for him as | ought to
care for q husband, and it would not be right
to say 'Yes.p
"You plunge me in despair, Pauline; this
is the second most excellent chance you have
had within four months, and you decline
bofb ppcnpd;tioooI1,, TILL ,.,a INV child