The midland journal., 1885-08-28

1rOm bHO utyS uuut duA 1OuuQ ueI
there, and Standing remained to lunch.
Roselle had never looked better. Strik-
ing she was always; her rich coloring,
her fine figure, the general tout ensemble
of the woman, made her that; but she
seemed to fascinate and charm the gentle
Lydia with her wit and repartce, instead
Of shocking her, as Standing half ex-
pected.
Hugh was in fine spirits, and his
laugh was always ready if Roselle opened
her lips, anticipating a witticism.
Standing, who had been strangely
nervous when he first found himself in
the presence of the two women, soon
grew at ease, and made himself delight
fully entertaining.
II think NJ SIS Somers-or Roselle as
you call hers charming" said Lydia
the next day to Standing. II like her
dash and sparkle, and she seems SO gen.
uine and so earnest"
Standing, who was easily swayed by
the opinions of Others, felt his heart
thrill After all, Roselle was charming.
He thought of her Us he walked up
the path i'll the starlight few hours
later. And, rs if in answer to his
thoughts, he found her sitting alone on
the balcony, enveloped in white ,'1awl.
II know you do not object to smok-
ing, he said, 80 I will sit down here
and finish my cigar. May II"
"Yes," she said; "and let me help
you" She took the cigar with a grace
full gesture and gay laugh, and held it
close beside her lips. "Would I not
make a fine profile picture now?" she
asked.
Just then window blind was opened,
and blaze of light envAloped them.
She gave back the cigar, aud they fell
to talking lightly, while a thousand
tumultuous Thoughts surged through
Standings brain.
To the average man of the world, a
spice of abandon about woman he knows
to be good is fascinating and attractive,
whatever tho world may say of it.
Standing was compelled to admit to
himself that he enjoyed the bright,
changing variety Of Roselle's society
better than he did the unexplainable
sameness of Lydia Hamiltons s demeanor.
And yet, the world-the speech of
people !!
One night he sat in the commercial
room of the inn, reading the paper, and
Hamilton sat at O little distance, also
reading.
Two strangers, sportsmen, from Lon
don, were carrying on conversation.
Suddenly the attention of Standing was
called by their mentioning name.
Didn't I see that dashing Miss
Somers in the dining-hall tonight ?'
queried one. And the reply came
Yes, she is re-handsome, and
faster than ever, should judge. I saw
her smoking on the balcony, with
gentleman the other night.
There was q dead silence for second.
Standing paled behind his newspaper,
but did not stir. Then, with 1.-the
spring, like young panther Hugh
Hamilton stood before the last speaker.
"You have lied, and DETAINED friend
of mine, he said, in low, quiet voice.
"Retract what you just now said, or I
will knock your teeth down your
throat"
"I-I beg pardon" he said. "I
didn'tsuppose she Was friend of yours.
only spoke in jest"
II would advise you not to make use
of a lady's name in your jests hereafter"
said Hamilton, as he turned away.
The story of Hamilton's defence of
her name reached Roselle the next day.
1t had spread through the inn, as such
news will, like wildfre.
The next time she saw him alone she
tried to thank him, but her tears choked
her, and she covered her face with her
hands.
He took them both in his.
"I need no thanks" he said softly.
"What man would not defend the
woman he loved? I love you, Roselle.
Will you not be my wife ?"
And she wore his diamond solitaire
that night.
Standing heard Chance reference to
the romantic finale of tbs sensation the