The Mineral argus., 1884-06-26

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to be within. But when it was opened
and he confidentially framed the
phrase moi as a query, but as an asser-
ton, Mrs. Bracegirdle at home ?" and
proposed immediately to enter, the
maid SAID shortly, mo, she is not, and
quickly shut the door upon him.
No words can describe his feelings.
He stared blankly at the handsome door,
well shut and firm, that suddenly had
closed upon him and separated him
from his love. What could this awful
thing mean? Had Mrs. Bracegirdle
heard something-false, of course, and
uttered by some other base admirer of
her daughter-which had made her take
this cruel step? 1t was impossible to
knock again and ask; it was ridiculous
to stand staring at the door. He turned,
descended the steps and walked down
the street.
Before he had gone half way he met a
hated rival, a very nice fellow, whom he
had only begun to hate in the last three
or four days, since he had noted that
Miss Bracegirdle sometimes gave him
very charming and encouraging chances.
Captain Fortescue walked on slowly,
anu lAob61tu lOI Gu6 COullueub Idb-d-ldb-
tat of his rival. He heard it, fingered
and looked back. The door was opened
and the visitor instantly admitted.
The unhappy man who had been
turned away from that same entrance
sighed heavily, and went away down the
sunny street, hanging his head. He told
himself that it would be only a fool, or a
mailman, who could pretend to mis-
understand so plain a refusal as this.
Perhaps it was meant kindly, he
thought; and groaned at the thought.
Miss B~racegirdle was no coquette and
did not care to have men offer her their
love when she had no intention of ac-
cepting it. He was so desperately en-
amored of her that he busted himself in
trying to see this cruel cut as a kind
deed. His hopes were gone; but he
could not bear so suddenly to lose his
idol. He determined he would not wor-
ry her by his unwelcome presence where
she could not easily avoid him, nor Per-
NIT himself to be laughed at by his sue
cessful rival. So he excused himself
from certain engagements at houses
where he knew he should meet her.
He gave up dancing, and took to cards
instead.
Mamma" said Miss Bracegirdle one
day, doesn't it seem odd that for three
weeks Captain Fortsescue has not
called?"
ct does" said Mrs. B~racegirdle,
land yet, when 1 come to think of it,
we have not met him out anywhere,
either. He must be i'll, or more likely
he has gone out of town. He will call
when he comes back"
This she said, noting that her daugh-
ter looked a little pale and out of sorts.
But secretly, she was uneasy herself.
Captain Fortescue had shown signs of
being so hot q o that it seemed
very improbable he would leave
town without a word to them.
At the next opportunity she
and learned that CAPTAIN Fortescue was
neither i'll nor out of town. This was
bad news indeed, for Mrs. Bracegirdle
knew perfectly we'll that her daughters
heart was seriously touched; and, as
Captain Fortescue was perfectly "eligi-
ble," all had promised fairly. Now
that fair promise was destroyed. There
was nothing to be done except to try,
by other distractions, to erase the i'm
pressions which Captain Fortescue had
made. Mrs. Bracegirdle devoted her
self to her daughter more tenderly than
ever; and the girl understood her.
Amid all the gaity and the many en-
gagements which came with every day,
there was a melancholy about the house
which had never been there before. 1t
was impossible for them to Danish it al
together. Even Master Harry, achear-
full youth of about fourteen, became
aware of it at last, and declared his sis
ter was not "half as jolly as she used to
be-" One day, when his mother and
sister were taking a quiet half-hour be-
fore dressing for dinner, he came into
the room, carrying an umbrella.
II say, mother, this umbrellas been
in the stand for a month. The fellow
it belonged to has forgotten all about
it, 1 expect; don't you think I might
it?"
isn't it yours?" said Mrs. Brace
81 gave you a silver-handled
one last year"
so, 1 lost that long ago" replied the
cool!y; land | may as well have
this instead. It's like mine, but ever 50
much sweller. There's name engraved
IN it; but l could have that scratched
"Let me see the name" said Mrs.
Braeegirdle. She took it, and read
'Fortescue."
An odd look came over her face. She
said nothing for a moment, but seemed
in thought then she rose, and
vent downstairs to the dining-room.
IL 90 H. LII IL L. -. 1911