The Penn's Grove record., 1883-09-01

nor did not dance.
Why, then, had he taken this pretty
cousin, Maud Myrtle, to them?
Obviously only to please her.
She was a good dancer, she had heard
and Hal, who was very f%astidious, pro
nounced her pretty.
Truth pushed away her meringue un-
tasted.
The color did not come back into the
rounded cheek.
She went upstairs and tried TO think
what she would wear to Mrs. st. Roses.
Whatever it might be she was sure
Maud Myrtle's would be prettier.
She was very fashionable, and Neil
had an eye for dainty costumes.
No sign of Neil that evening, nor all
the next long, bright day, though the
st. Rose carriage had gone by, Neil
driving with his beautiful cousin.
Miss Myrtle wa beautiful
Truth saw that she was a charming
brunette, with a cherry-red mouth, and
curling black lashes.
She was talking to Neil with the most
delightful animation, and he was listen
ing with an enjoyable smile.
If she had been crying again, when
she came down dressed for the party,
cologne and a dash of pearl powder had
concealed all results about the pretty
eyelids.
J She wore white and knots of cherry
blossoms, and looked gentle and sweet
enough for a nun OF a bride, Neil Gay
nor thought, when he saw her. +
He bowed pleasantly.
He had Maud ON his arm he seemed
devoted to her, Truth thought.
ssHe finds her kinder than I, and she
is far, far prettier !" she murmured.
She felt as if she we're choking but
she must not be a ! ably there.
She forced herself to chat, and sing,
and eat ices, keeping for the most part
with Hal, though he was strangely pre-
occupied, and spilled rea and blum
dered over ladies' dresses in a most an
usual way for him.
Truth asked him to take her into the
garden at last, and he did so.
Part was Illuminated with Chinese
lanterns, and part in lovely moonliehted
shadow but he moonlight, and the fra
GRANGE, and music, made Truth want to
cry worse than before--that strange,
lonely pain at her heart was so very hard
to bear.
Hal threw himself down on the seat
of a little r~ose-covered arbor, with a long
sigh, which Truth observed, and asked
him if his new boots hurt him.
He replied ~grayely that they did not
although they were a very snug fit.
'sYou had better run in and sing that
duet with Mrs. st. Rose, which You de-
clined to do awhile ago, while l smoke
a cigar" he said. II will be here when
you come back"
Perhaps she hadn't been nice to de-
cline it wouldn't do to NOPE there any
way, Truth knew she certainly should
he crying--the music of the band hidden
among the acacias was so sad 80, never
~suspecting that Hal wanted to be rid of
her, she turned away and fitted back
to the parlors.
Again Mrs. st. Rose urge her to sing
with her, and this time she consented.
But the words blurred and the lights
dazzled, for Neil, with Maud upon his
arm, went out as she came in.
After the song she firted desperately
with Bert st. Rose for twenty minutes,
and then slipped away to rejoin Hal.
She ran down the piazza steps, turned
around aclump of shrubbery, and there,
in the shadow of a locust tree, stood q
pair of lovers.
She could only see the outline of the
gentle mans form in the gloom, but of
r it was Neil Gaynor, for the
glow of a Chinese lantern struck Maud
Myrtle's face while it was lifted ten
derby to his, as, bending, he kissed those
beautiful lips, and as Truth paused,
GREATNESS, she saw a ring slipped on
that snowy hand.
With a sob she turned and fled noise
lessly as a zephyr.
She reached the ross arbor by another
path.
She rushed into the fragrant gloom
and flung herself upon the half-incum'
bent figure on the rustic seat.
"Oh, dear Hal, take me home
want to gol l cannot stay here ! Nei
| Gaynor is engaged to his cousin, and
it's all my fault. / refused him.
| didn't dare tell you. But oh, I'm 81
miserable ! You don't need to scold me
Hal. AS soon as he had gone ! knew
loved him. He's so brave, good ans
splendid. How could l help it 2 | wa
silly !; but / am unhappy enough now
Oh, Hal, take me home my heart will
break -
The arms which had closed 50 quick,
about her drew her closer.
In all his life, Hal had newer faile'
to be tender when she repented of he
follies.
"Don't scold me, Hal !? I'm punishe
enough, i love him so, and have los
him I"
: Are you sure, little girl ~