Little Falls transcript., 1884-10-10
THE BgaYEST ARE KOBLEST.

Aie LII tiilS, you WALL Alob# usACo WILL
Captain Leroore again?" . - r.
"But will, Clarence; I have prom
ised him the very next waltz, and he's
splendid dancer! And why should I
noI be as civil to him as to others? He
is gentleman ,.,sy- as.<ags -
eff he was, he would never have made
you,the subject of Oh unmanly boast,
Lena; refuse him all dances tonight,
If for no other reason, because I ask it );
because you are the one love Of my life,
Lenam a. /. ! e .> T.
The brown eyes Of ,the'girl softened !,
and she laid newhite hand on his the
light fell gently upon the two young
faces, one so fair and proud, the other
dark and wondrous lovely, as Clarence
Amherst Lifted the white hand to his
lips; and then, before Lena Dale could
give the promise that trembled on her
tongue, q light foot fall sounded on the
marble Of the conservatory floor, and a
tall. military figure advanced toward
them. y.usJ. .s.s ,~.,, g
Miss Dale, our waltz" he spoke in
clear tones that told OF habit of COM
mand land the girl, with sudden move
ment. drew her hand from the clasp of.
her lover and, with warm color on her
dark cheek, laid it upon his arm--the
newcomers. 49,.
The act was prompted by 8 sudden,
uncomfortable shyness, as she met the
captains cool, half surprised glance she
had no intention of dancing with him,
and yet, how could she now decline
when her hand was on his arm and he
was leading her away? @@~''. . -
A moment later and Clarence, who
he'd followed to the door Of the ball
room, saw her gliding through the
waltz with the man who was his rival,
and paled to his very Lips ~
"Yon wish your engagement broken?
You hold my conduct as blame-worthy?
Sir, it is unfortunate that you allow me
to SEQ now before too late--how. ty-
rannical you can be-! Consider the
words unsaid that bound us. Here is
your ring.
Tall and beautiful, with flashing,
dusky eyes, and swiftly-pulsing bosom,
she stood before Clarence; aud, draw
ing off the cleaning circlet that adorned
her hand, offered it to him.
"Lena, beloved, you do not under
stand! bat wish to spare you future
rnortitica cation Let me explain l. avr .,tse,sz
Captain Lemore is waiting. I am to
dance with him. You will excuse me
from the boredom of intemperate
speeches at present. All, Captain Le-55
more" 9a,+&s b. .t ~. se,4 a.',&
Clarence took no notice of the tall,
handsome captain who gave him care
less nod as, drawing Lena's hand through
his arm, he led her away--that peculiar,
foreign face Was anything but bea ntiful
in his sight Just then - S2&-E
'Leaye me here moment. Captain
Lenore, il you please: and wish you
would bring me an ice." 81
t"'I will be back in a moment Are
you comfortable sthere?. I have been
selfish III urging you to dance 50 often,
but Ilshal ask now onlysthe last waltz.
+ may have that, may Inot ?" 14.: Nv
lena smiled indiHerently, as she
teamed back in her curtained corner and
gave q languid assent. S5TheJftall Cap
Jain pressed the hand he had been
nolding and vanished, leaving her be-
mind the falling curtain, completely
hidden fIon sight. .-s =, 81.
Z "Captain Lemore will win his wager" !" !.
said voice just without her: hiding
place; "he made o bet to-day with
Gray and Vane that he would dance five
waltzes with Miss Dale, and he has
danced four already. Half of the men
present know of the wager and all
look for him to fail" j.
."But matters look as if he was going
20 win, said another voice. "Iwonder
what Amherst will say when he hears;
Ilearned to-day that he is engaged to
Miss Dale" Sd g,f ( ~ & \. "A Il
"If he is he ought to call the captain
out; Iwo,1ld in his place! r. II ,@s y +
A low laugh reached Lena for reply
as the two friends moved away and She
crushed the spray Of crimson flowers in
her white hand till they were q mass Of
shapeless leaves; the red Of indignant
pride surging to her dark cheek. 5.= 4 4
But Captain Lemore was instantly at /
herside, holding d tiny salver with the
ice he had been sent for. 54t#5.z5 s
4"Captain Lemore,p the girls voice
was low but clear as silver bell. She
moved slightly, 50 that her great mid
night eyes rested fairly on his face.
Captain Lemore, ] have always looked
among the bravest for the noblest. Was
Iright?" "a sl8 .5
The captain smiled as he drew a tiny,
table to her side and placed the salver
on it. Then stood before her towering
high in his handsome strength.
#a "The bravest should be noblest, he
said, still smiling. Always think them 1
50, Miss Dale Ne |! !.sf III. III
*# "And yet men call you brave, Cap
tain Lemore !" II IF 3.3s B
"a sudden wave Of color swept his
cheek at her words.
And you are SO. 4 have heard Of /
the gallant charga at III -, which won
your laurels; have read yonr name,
along with the names Of those who led 4
brayely and led in the cause Of God and 1
the nation. Why, then, did You trail
i. the glory OF sr,ch 3 manhood in the 4
dust to-dayby a boasting wager, Id
which q woman's name was spoken |?
q Why, when T SO admired on ia the past,
lnus;S Z fdespise you in the future ??n ??ns'
III The red wave had now receded, and
D his fine face was. white as death ]; he 4
folded his arms across his bread chest
and looked down upon her With dark,
burning eyes. I'LL
s was unn an1 {" = he aaid ], slowly;
" humanity and ignobles Bey ond your.
pardon. s11rely and yet you do not know
the cumstallces under u hich II wass
\ made.