The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1883-12-01
HER LAST FILTRATION
EI HELEN LAFORGE

There was a flash, half anger, halt
surprise in Bruce Wilmarth's dark eyes.
mo. | don't think | do ~
Wilful, tantalizing creature - how
beautiful she was, Queenie Vane
Standing little above her lover on the
terrace, she coolly pulled on her glove
while the summer morning sunshine
fell aslant the color perfection of her
blonde face-and came leisurely down
the broad steps upon the lawn. Her
little spaniel, Bijou, frisked around her.
1t struck Bruce that she paid as much
attention to the dog as she did to him.
He had been telling her, in very
manly fashion, that he loved her,
unencouraged, certainly, by blush OR
smile. And when he had taken her
hand and looked for response to his
story. she had Withdrawn herself.
Then came his exclamation, bitterly
wrung from his heart.
"You have been flirting with me -
"If l have" replied Queenie, coolly,
~ have only followed your example.
Would you like Mary Amberley to hear
what you have been saying to me??'
"Mary Amberley," said Bruce, very
promptly, sis engaged to my cousin"
Queenie's blue eyes opened widely
for a minute. Did she change color,
too, or was it the shifting Of the locust
shadows across her face?
"The physician ordered Mary down
here for her health. Her mother, too
is an invalid. She would be lonely il
it were not for me- Lee is not coming
down until his vacation in August"
Then he stopped and looked at the
girl fully. She had seated herself upon
the lawn, and how exasperatingly cool
she looked as she played with her
bracelet!
Il forgot what flirt you are, Queenie,
l ought to have known how it would
be-"
She could see that he did not mean
the words for taunt. He spoke more
in sorrow than in anger. But the vel
vet cheek burned with a little deeper
color, as she rose and shook the span
iel off her silken skirts.
Just then, voices were heard APP
preaching. Bruce turned.
''You will excuse me from being your
escort in your stroll. Your friends arc
coming, | see. Qneenie, you will be
sorry !"
So he left her.
| The Nanes-father and son-comine
up, saw Mr.. Wilmarth lift his hat tc
Queenie, and pass on. There was
nothing in her air to tell the secret.
But she looked abstractedly at the
sea as she strolled on the beach-the
sea which was her passion. 1t came
in upon the shore in great, lazy swells
breaking almost noiselessly upon the
sand. The white gulls cried in the
ether overhead.
1--WE are going to have a tempest
Queenic," said DIR. Vane.
''At this time of year,"
"The summer storms of this locality
are noted. | would not be on the
water for anything"
Queenie stood listening to a faint
hollow sound which seemed to come
from the water. The noon sunlight
cast Il strange, bronze tint upon the
waves. The sudden sultriness op.
pressed her.
Come up to the house and play
jackstraws with me, Queenie," said hel
twelve-year-old brother, Lconcc. 81
is too hot to be out of doors or do any
thing"
For once, Queenie was willing tc
leave the sea but she deserted Leonct
and went to her room.
There was a hammock swung acros:
the wide, cool chamber, and, tossing
off her hat and scarf, she flung hcrsel
into it. 1t was rare, but beautiful
Queenie seemed weary.
She lay long time, with her pinl
cheek upon her arm, her eyes heavy
and dreamy. Was Queenic sleepy
Little Bijou, whom she had accident
ally shut outside the door, whined t.
come in, but she paid no attention.
By-and-by, when she arose to dres
for tea, note was handed her. She