Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-12-28

let her feel, II ever so slightly, uneasy.
{ Yes, as we are both safe, / will make
myself as fascinating as can. Horace
Vernon is to marry Mile. Berthe de Pom
tao, and 1 am to marry the Rev. Robert.
so there can be no harm in little flirta-
ton, and shall let things take their
course.
II.
Things do take their course. and a
very pleasant course it is. The DAYS
pass quickly, and I have no time to
write letters. The Dinard bathing sea.
son will soon be at its height. The Pa
risian world, including Mile. Berthe de
Pontiac, will be here-so Bonne-maman
tells me; Horace never mentions her. I
often long to ask him about her, but q
shy feeling closes my lips. Do dread
that her name should break the spell of
happiness cast round my life?
Alas! after some weeks of delightful
enjoyment, the spell was broken, and by
BOnne-maman.
Horace had fred my imagination by
a glowing account of fresh blackberries.
the finest, blacklist, sweetest that was
ever seen. Working upon my enthusi-
asm, he promised to take me a-black-
berrying.
The next morning, in high glee, we
sailed forth he armed with a stout
hooked stick, I with basket. Past a
cottage, with abright-eyed maiden tend.
ing her pet lamb in the kitchen, while
her mother was sitting at the spinning
wheel in the morning sun. Through
lanes so narrow we had to scramble up
the steep bank to let the great white
horses with the numbering wagons go
by. Through bush, through briar,"
we went and never blackberry did
see. At last, I ventured to remark upon
the singular fact of the flowers and buds
being still in full bloom. I heard a
slight chuckle, and, looking up at my
companions face, saw mild CLEAN of
fun on it. "Well, you must indeed be
a Cockney born, to think of expecting
blackberries in August" For moment
l was put out then, joining in his mer-
riment, 1 contented myself with the
wreath of wild flowers he had gathered.
From this merry excursion we returned
in high glee and good humor, my basket
laden with flowers, my hat decorated
with berries and brightly tinted leaves.
Bonne-maman, contrary to her usual
hospitality, did not ask Horace to stay,
and he went off there and then to his
hotel. Then, having removed my pro-
tector, was treated to long lecture on
my reckless disregard of the proprieties.
Were these English manners, or rather
the want of them? This running about
the country with young men for untold
hours, this liberty, was unheard OF in
France, and must, at least while IN
der her roof, conform to French usages
unmarried girls could'not be too partic.
ular.
Conscience-stricken, I could find 10
words of excuse. The hot blood dyed
my face; unshed tears made my eyes
burn. STOPPING, kissed Bonne-maman
in silence, and, stepping through the
open window into the garden, I wan
dered away out of sight. Yes; I had
been unmaidenly, immodest, undigni-
fed. Dishonorable, too, forgetting my
plighted troth. If only Bonnie maman
and Mr.. Vernon knew, how they would
despise me. Heartsick, I turned away
from the garden and sought the solitude
Of the orchard. There, alone under the
shadowy trees, could think it out. My
eyes ached; my head burned; I was
humbled to the dust to have failed when
felt so sure of myself. Playing with
fire, bow could I escape? And he
never in words had he confessed his love,
but by thousand tribes light as air I
felt he loved me. And Bertha? All I
thought bitterly, he may like me but he
mill bo, U;I 1,o 1oro i,o,C T
throw myself on the soft, cold grass,
hiding my face with my hands, and try
! ing to shut out the pain, sorrow and the
| shame, needless of the time and the
passing hours.
Suddenly hand was placed on mine
and started up. AS I did so my chain
caught, the links broke and my locllet
fell open at Horace's feet. Before
closing and returning it he said: "May
II" and, looking at the portrait, re-
marked: "Your fathers likeness ?''
shook my head, and, pointing to the
pearl ring I wore, said brayely: "No! 1
am engaged"
Engaged p His voice was husky.
"Then you have been amusing yourself
flirting to keep your hand I'M" And
| WAoAOuV ohoShCA NO1u, OuC WILL tiAc
most hopeless expression I ever saw, he
threw the locket down and left me.
I tottered to my feet. was avenged
he would despise me as firt, but he
could not accuse me of giving my love
unasked, or forcing it upon a man who
was not free. If he were engaged, why,
SO was I. We were quits.
With trembling hands drew off the
fatal ring, and going to my room laid it
with the locket and addressed the parcel
to the Rev. Robert Duncombe, and
straightway wrote and asked for my
freedom. I could bear the thrtll no
more. I must be free. Iwrote kindly,
feeling dimly the pain I was inficting
but at all risks I must be free.
Horace was staying at Oman. The
Baroness de Pontiac and her daughter
had arrived and called on Nine. d'Har.
court. Of course, on Horace's return
he would be dancing attendance upon
his fiancee.
| Robert had written. I was too de-
pressed to feel wounded at the tone O.
his reply, or might have resented his
agreeing with me on the desirability OF
breaking off the engagement In q post
script he added that he had the promise
Of the vicara0o IF Camel. To- Farpe e.,1 ifs