Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-11-15
LEAP.YEAR,
BY LEIGH NORTH.

maps beyond the average, leanlnR In 3 not uIl-
graceful attitude against the mantel, with his
back to a large mirror. They. on a low divsn at
the other side of the room, alternately listening
and replying to his remarks or whispering to
each other at some apparently irrelevant but
amusing subject.
Yes he said. a little defantly, and with o
slightly heightened color, since his first remark
had been received with apeel Of laughter-''yes,
| would ike to know what 1t feels like to be re-
fused. I'd ask some girl Just for the fun of
hearing her say no. If dared"
Try us! try us! most irresistible AdonisI"
cried the elder of the two. with hooking SMILE
springing to her feet and making him q low
courtesy. The girls dark hair loosened and fell
with the sudden motion. the brown eyes were
trimming with mischief and merriment, and the
flushed check looked very inviting,
i have great mind to kiss you Sauce box !"
he said, by way of answer. 'One's cousins don't
count"
The two 'cousins." so called, we're pleasing
contrast to each other-the dark-eyed, merry
Kitty Glen. and her fair. blue-eyed friend and
cousin Mary Neale. Neither was, strictly speak
ing. cousin to Herbert Raymond, Kate being
step-relation. and Mary only cousins cousin;
but as he had been on terms OF brOtherly intl-
macy, especially with the former. the pleasing
fiction was always maintained, and Herbert felt
himself at liberty to criticise the sayings and
doings of either to object to this or that man of
their acquaintance and to act generally In
cry brotherly manner, while he had been per-
slladed from wearing many favorite neck-tie
or pair of gloves by Hates raillery or Mary's
gentler protest.
The talk on this particular evening drifted to
other subjects, and soon the whole matter faded
from the young mans mind Not so from that
of the two girls who, with heads bent together
in council, We're busy devising a plot against
him. Time, however, must be allowed to elapse
ere they carried it into execution, as they did
not want to be Immediately accused of being the
authors.
SO Herbert walked with Kate. and rode.
talked, or sang with Mary. all unconscious Of
any designs upon him; and. truth to tell he
was beginning to find in the hours spent with
his blue-eyed cousin a new charm. To CHAIR
with Kate was great fun, but the quieter times
spent with Mary and even the silent moments,
seemed to fly with incredible rapidly. Nobody
surely ever had such sunny golden hair such
sweet little ways as cousin Mary" he began
TO think, as he watched and studied her mere
closely; and now and then he fancied Cor was It
only fancy?) that his sudden or unexpected OPP
pearanee brought deeper shade to that rose
tinted cheek. new brightness to the lovely
eyes. At least if this was delusion it was q
very pleasant one, and he did not feel disposed
to put ii away from him.
Among the list OF Herbert's acquaintances
was very pretty young widow who had been a
belle before marriage and was none the less
fascinating now that she was again free. Re-
port said that her marriage had not been a
happy one, but whether or no that had been
the case she did not seem disposed to be in
haste to resume matrimonial letters, though
supposed to have had already several opportu-
mites of so doing.
In the course Of acquaintance Kate Knew
Herbert to have received several notes from
her. and rightly guessed that he was familiar
with her writing. The arch-plotter selected
this Mrs. Peto, then. as one OF the unconscious
H-iat irao Of 10
session of one of her notes from lady friend.
and with considerable skill initiated the PEN
manship and style.
Another letter purported to come from Miss
North, whom Herbert had once or twice met
and expressed an admiration for. but who had
not seemed to reciprocate it; and one each from
Mary and Kate completed the list. Was it by
accident or design that the last never reached
its destinations Mary's enthusiasm over the
practical joke seemed somewhat to have waned,
and it required more than one reminder from
Kate to induce her to fulfill her part of the com.
pact, while. in fact. at last Kate wrote the note
which Mary signed and addressed
Three letters lay side by side at Herbert's
plate as he came down to breakfast one morn.
ing, besides one or two business documents.
and as his interest In the post Office was not
usually very extensive, he gave surprised little
whistle.
The first letter he took up was in an unfamIl.
lar hand, and he read as follows:
"Hr. Herbert Raymond:
SIR SIR reply at once to the proposal received
from YOU No, Sir. SO slight an acquaintance as
ours justifes nothing Of the sort, and you VIII
pardon me II stigmaI1ze 1t as bordering on the
house save those whom he himself invites, and
fear would be very angry were to show him your
letter. 1 beg, therefore, that you win drop the
matter. 1 assure you it is not very pleasant one
10 me. Yours, colby,
"CArHARrNE NORTH"
Much mystifed and not little nettled, Her
bert laid down the letter and took up the next,
which ran:
"MY DEAR Mr.. RAYMoND:-So you have curio3.
ity TO experience the sensation OF being refused.
Well, my dear Child you have come to the right
place this time; as uncle RemuS' says. 'Pve done
had my dose OF matrimony; and not even your
have refused dozens OF men In my time, and shall
probably continue to do so till l de- A friend of
mine min says am Ike Mrs: Bedding in The Bread
Winners, who, after the demise OF her spouse had
Two closets to hang up her dresses in instead OF
one, and never saw man again that she liked
well enough TO give up that luxury for. like oc-
casonal visitors, but don't care TO see too much OF
the sterner sex. II your feelings were more en-
tangled than suspect they are, might beseech
you not 10 hang, shoot, or drown yourself: but
fancy the danger Is very tr1ning Indeed have
seen so many broken-hearted men recover and
il-effects of a rebuff Doubtless you would ike me
TO say how deeply my feelings were touched by
your offer, how it kept me awake at night, and ali
dear child. my answer is No. Sometimes think q
colossal fortune might tempt me- Il love to be era
died In the lap OF luxury but again am that
even that would be in vain. Doubtless there are
hall a dozen maidens signing and dying for you:
my advice is to go TO them and be consoed.
"Iours, sincerely,
"LAvNIA PETo."
Herbert finished. and then burst into laugh
as he recalled certain evening Mary, Kate and
he had spent together. Here, then, was the ex-
PLANTATION. But surely that was Mrs Peto's
handwriting. Had those mischievous girls really
let her into the secret? How was he to tind out?
How pay them back in their own coin? He then
glanced over his business documents, and finally
took up the last letter. How had it escaped him
that 1t was Mary's writing? He hesitated and
held it moment ere opening it.
DEAR HERBERT" began Mary,,-.T am 40 SORRY
and SO afraid OF hurting your feelings. 1t ever
50 kind OF you TO want me, but--buJ- do hate to
say no. but don't See how can help 1t. Please
forgive me, and let us be as good friends as ever
won't you? can't bear TO say no TO any one like
SO much as do you. Oh, am so sorryl Do let
me be always your friend. tMARY NRALEn
I'm never take mo- for an answer from Won.
sweetheart" was his unspoken thought as he
laid down the letter-strange to say a little
panied, even though he realized 1t was but q
Joke. He hastily finished his breakfast. and
taking pen scribbled OH a reply to the last
The others he would settle with Kate, whom he
felt to be their real author, later.
DEAREST MARY,-It is with a feeling OF prtev
Gus disappointment undertake 10 reply 10 your
epistle. My trembling hands almost refused TO
perform their Office when, with a mingled sense
of hope and fear, tore the covering nom your
anXiously expected letter. will not weary YOU
with the tale OF the sieepless hours and the
alternate extremes OF Joy and despair that ex-