The Mineral argus., 1883-11-29
W0OING BY PROXY.

She is leaning back in a deep crimson
chair, with a white dress sweeping in
.ong, shining folds about her. She is
talking 10 two or three men with that
rather weary grace he has grown accus-
toned TO see in her, and which is 81
different frop the joyous smiles Of the
Jeanne de Beaujen whom he knew so
long ago. He is watching her from the
opposite side ofthe salon, as he stands
beside his hostess, and he tells himself
that il is for the last time. He is going
to her presently, and he knows Just how
Ooldly she will raise the dark eyes that
once never met his without having con-
fessed that she loved him. He knows
Just what he viii say and what size will
will answer, and there is no need for
haste iR this last scene Of his tragedy.
a man should know when he is
beaten," he Is thinking, while he smiles
vaguely ina reply to Nine. de Soule's
common-places. There is more stupid
lily Than courage in not accepting a de-
feat while there is yet time to retreat
with some dignity. For six weeks l
have shown her, with a directness that
has, / dare say, been amusing 10 u mu-
tual friends, that after ten years alb
sence my only object in returning to
Paris IS her society. She can
not avoid meeting me IN public, but she
las steadily refused TO receive ne when
! call upon Der, or 70 permit me a word
with her alone. i have been a fool to
forget that all these years 10 which / re-
gretted her She naturally despised me,
hut at least it is not Just other to refuse
iue a hearing" The moment he. bad
been waiting for is come, the little
court about her disperses, until there is
N one man beside her, and she glances
acound with a look OF mild appeal
against the continuance Of his society.
De palIssler has eacaped from his
Hostess in an instant, aud the next he is
Turmuring, with the iaintest suspicion
o. a tremOr in his voice, will Nine.
Miamon permit me a dancer
Thanks, NJ. de Palissier, but l am
not dancing this, evening" she replies,
with exactly the glance and tone he eN-
poets.
VIII madame give me a few mo-
ments' serious conversation" and this
time the tremOr is distinct. for even the
nineteenth century horror OF melOdra-
una cannot keep a mans nerves quite
s'eady when he is askinga question on
which his whole future depends.
One does not come to balls for serl.
1us conversation" she begins, lightly
Where may l cOme them" he inter
rupted eagerly.
Nowhere. There is no need for Sc
lou conversation between as, M. de
Palissier," she replies, haughtily, anC
..mauA - N.Laa kha 80 ~ hha
fled gentleman beside her, and move
away.
It is all az be prophesied to himself
and vet for a mOmmet the lights swim
dizzily before him, and the passionate
sweetness OF that Strauss waltz the band
is playing stabs his heart like a knife
For a moment he does not realize tina
he Is standing quite motionless, gain
with despair in his eyes, after Nine. d
Miramon's slender, whitehead figure
and that two or three people, who hav
seen and heard, are looking at him wit
that amused pity which . sentiments
catastrophe always inspires in the spe'
tators.
some one touches his arm present.
with a fan, and with a start he comes
himself and recognizes Lucille de Beal
len, the Young sister OF Nine. de Mir
mon, Whom'he remembers years ago
child, and with whom he had dance
several timea tins winter.
And our waltz, mODsieurf she ask
cavlv. do not tell me you have forge
ten L. That is evident enough, but "
should not admit IL"
Mile pardOns, mademoiselle,"
mutters, hurriedly.
~ am very good tonight" she says
putting her hand IN his mechanical
extended arm. Though the waltz
half over, there is still time for you
get me an ice" .
So they make their way through Z
saloon, she talking lightly n WITH
pausing for a reply. while nel tAsel
grateful 70 her for extracting nm III