The National tribune., 1883-02-22

z
of the engagement soon, or some other poor
devil"
'But there is no engagement"
"No engagement" repeated Sidney, staring
| curiously.
"Why, of course not"
And PauIs face showed great perplexity.
'Sid," he cried, abruptly, " if you will wait
till go back and excuse myself from partner,
perhaps | can explain this matter. Mind you
don't stir Tll return at once"
And without waiting for an answer, he posted
back to the ballroom, where he secured Ade-
laide for promenade. He had an idea.
xiii or cure" he muttered to himself eff
she does not care for him, it's best he should
hear it from her own lips"
And so he said to her:
"There's poor fellow, down in the conserva-
tory, who has had bad news to-day. / think
a word of sympathy from you would be vastly
comforting"
as it Mr. Elliott?" she asked, quietly. u
thought he had had good news"
"You will find him at the south end" said
Paul, leaving her abruptly at the entrance.
Elliott started as Miss Lascelles came in.
"Miss Lascelles," he cried
She drew near, so near that the perfume OF
her roses made him dizzy again.
"Is it true" she asked, gently, :" that you
have had bad news?"
"Yes," he said, with infinite sadness. al
have had some fond hopes shattered"
He wistfully watched her face, as if longing
to read something more than pity. But it was
perfectly calm.
"You will despise me for displaying such
weakness" he resumed, Z" but it has been a ter
rible blow. l have been foolish enough to sup
pose that beautiful girl might care fer me, and
this evening"
"This EVENING"" she repeated, steadily.
1aornad Of bar lova for
After little Adelaide spoke calmly.
"YOu have my sympathy, Mr.. Elliott. 1t
must be hard to bear. Perhaps in time, though,
you will come to forget it."
Never, never!" he cried, passionately. All
hope was gone now-she was Indifferent to
him. I" l thank you for your sympathy" he
said, gently. 81 shall always remember it,
May l take you in again?"
al think l will wait here for Paul"
"Then goodnight" cried Sidney, desper-
ately, "and-thank you-for all"
He fled hastily, fearing he should do some
thing mad; those crimson roses were so near.
He meant to find the cloak-room and leave
the house at once. But, instead, he continued
his wild rush up the grand staircase, and en-
tered small, empty chamber.
Here it was still and he tried to think calmly.
The window was wide open; a full, yellow moon
looked in from frosty sky. Scarce knowing
what he did, Sidney fell on his knees and
rested his forehead on the window-sill. The
ballroom music, faint and sweet, and the slid
ing footsteps, came occasionally up to his ear.
But he grew quieter, and at intervals peered
out over the sill-down, down. The distance
offered a horrible suggestion. But he had a
brave heart, after all. "The thong, the rack,
the fire, but not that. Face it like man." he
cried, addressing himself. He rose to his feet
just as the door opened, and some one strobe
across the floor. He looked around, and saw
Paul.
For Gods sake, Sid," said his friend, "what
did you say to her? / found her in dead
faint. I have been hunting for you every
where"
"What did say?" repeated Elliott, hoarsely,
as if dazed.
Paul shook him little.
"Wake up. Do you want to break her hearth
+ mean Adelaide. Now, come back, and do the
thing properly. Wait moment. l think see
where the trouble lies. You've been mistaken
about me, Sid. l tell you now, on my honor as
gentleman, that, while 1 admire and esteem
Miss Lascelles, l never yet dreamed of marry
ing her. And judging from what she said
when she first came to herself, should i'm
agine-"
"What did she say?" gasped Elliott.
"Oh, she began moaning about your having
gone foreverI" And not believing anything
OF the kind, just rushed off in search of you"
Sidney staggered to the.door.
"God bless you'll" he cried, and hurriedly
disappeared down the stairs, while Paul fol-
lowed.
Adelaide rose trembling. from her seat, at
Sidney's approach.
You will not CO." she said, softly, and her
lip trembled.
"Oh, my darling, my darling, bid me stay.
For it is you love-"
He folded her to his heart, and the crimson
roses filed the air with sweetness, and the
music came in tender snatches from the ball
room-and love reigned.
And all this was brought about by Paul. No
wonder that Elliott, to the day of his death,
will think him A SPLENDID FELLOW Peter
son's