Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1883-07-15
HIlDEGARDE.

there WAS no denying the fact that
Hildegsrde Evelyn WAS born fiirt.
Had any one attempted to prove the
contrary, the girls own face would
have been q complete refutation Of all
argument. 1t WAS piquant and coquet-
fish in the extreme; moreover, nature
had crowned its lovliness with every
circean Charm.
But, somehow, flirting did not seem
an otfonse when she committed it, and,
though her cousin Caroline protested 10
think her heartlesS and designing,
there were few who held IT, that opin-
ion. liz was possible to think that her
sirs were premidltated. They were
rather the OutgrOwLh of a natural pro-
pensity for flirting, too deeply rooted
for eradication.
Yet Carolins Meredith had repeatedly
told Dir. Roscoe that Hildegarde's KEEN
est enjoyment was found in trifilng with
an infatuated lover.
Whatever spirit may have prompted
this disclosure, it was far from welcome
to its recipient, who had more than
passing tenderness for the tair-faced lit
lie witch. At first it disturbed him
greatly. and he was haunted by q ter
TIble fear that he had fallen u victim to
the wiles of an unprincipled eoquette.
But the long summer days he spent la
her society 6anished his doubts, and he
staked his happiness on the truth that
shone in Hildegarde's clear hazel eye.
Miss Meredith was solely distressed
by the "blind infatuatiou," as she call
ed II. She liked her cousin, she averred,
but she could not endure 10 see u man
like Royal Roscoe ensnared by the un-
wemanly devices Of an uneonscionaole
flirt. Between ourselves there was
small doubt that Miss Meredith would
have liked TO do q little "ensnaring"
on her own account, for Mr.. Roscoe
was the owner Of Florion, the finest
country seat for miles around. He was,
moreover, rich and handsome, agreeable
and distinguished. No wonder the am
bilious Caroline had dreamed Of him rs
q husband.
When the midsummer days were
over, little IS he felt like it, Royal was
forced TO face the prospect of going
away. He spent the early fall in the
city, and in the winter he went south
to look after some superb ora nge groves
owned by company OF Whiof he was
president.
He bad by this time resigned him
self completely TO the passion which
Hildegarde had kindled in his breast.
He loved her with sll the strength OF an
ardent nature; yet, dear as she was to
him, Royal shrank from binding her by
any pledge of constancy. Hildegarde
was very youDg-barely seventeen-and
she knew nothing at all Of the outside
world.
Next winter she will go to the city,"
he 4 knDw
that her love for me is not creature Of
circumstance. / could not accept
love that another than l, had he hap
pened in here in my place, might have
claimed as readily"
He thought that he trusted Hide
garde implicitly, but CarOline's words
hadsun deeper than he supposed.
It was in August that he finally de-
termined to go away; and, on the even
ing before his departure, he was walking
down the long garden path, in the light
of a mellow moon, whose tender rays
disclosed the girls fair face upturned to
his, the graceful sweep OF her long
white dress left neglgently trailing, and
spray of jasmine that she had twined
in her glossy hair.
81 am going away tomorrow, Hide
garde," he said, in low tone, rs though
he had not yet told her.
al am very sorry, Mr.. Roscoe" she
replied, dropping her eyes under his
questioning glances.
"That is always what you women
say" he continued, restlessly. "But
how much can one believe with
saiety~
al have told you the truth, Mr.. Ros-
coe," she said, in hurt tone, making
IT. D, a H. n and from
arm, but he caught IL, and drew IL for
chilly back to its resting place.
''Se you are really sOrry?" he queIied,
masking his sincerity under tiippant
manner.
''Hildegarde," he said presently,
dropping his careless tone, 81 shall not
see YOU again for year, whole year.
Ii is q long time. / have been so happy
and contented all summer, my little
friend! Will you not give me some
thing before l go, to keep as SOU
venir"
"Rnis," he said, touching the jasmine
she wore in her hair, and without
word she gave it to him.
With an irresistible impulse, Royal
raised the sweet and delicate flower TO
his lips. Then, turning to the trellis by
the garden walk, he plueked q glorious
Jac0ueminot rose that hung there wet
with dew, and glistened in the moon
IL will keep it." she said, simply, as
he placed it in her hand. ,,,,
"Gou will not forget me, Hide
garde?"
al cannot, Mr.. Roscoe"
''Say Royal" he urged gently.
al could not forget you, Royal"
ha iaH
the roses bloom again, little one, will
come back, and then, if
He paused, for he saw the confession
he determined not to make was trem-
bling upon his lips. But he was unable
to keep his resolution i'm every psrtieu-
lar. With that lovely face so near his
own, what could he do but snatch her
in his arms?
Good bye, darling" he whispered,
pressing one long passionate kiss on her
. lips, and the next moment he WAS gone.
Hildegards looked after him with
questioning gaze; then, turning abrupt
IN, she fed into the house.
Was 1t q fancy, or did she really see
the simmer of Csroline's silken skirts
behind the lockwood hedge?
Half an hour later, when Miss Mere
-Slth SAT in the oriel window overlook
ing the garden, she heard light foot
steps on the gravel walk, and in mo-
s.ment she recognized the manly figure of
Royal Roscoe.
HE is coming back y. she exclaimed.
Nv hat for, wonder? Has he msdeup
his mind to propose To her%
Snatcbipg up light shawl, she went
out on the piazza, where she posed her.
self with q lapguid grace that would
have left one 10 suppose she had been
there for hours. She SAT in q low, easy
chair, watching the moon, and absently
twirling great red rose in her supple
fingers.
When Royal assembled the steps, she
arose with start, ~ though she had
inst been rudely awakened from rev.
erie, and exclaimed in well affected sur
aWhy, Mr.. Roscoel This Is an I'M