Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-02-20
FILTRATION.

splash into the waves.
1t was golden August evening,
moonless but radiant, with the balmy
air full of fragrance of new-made hay,
mingling not unpleasantly with the
salt breath of the sea. and the sky all
glorious with the dolphin-lke hues of
the dying day, and Miss Sedley. sitting
on the hotel balcony in her floating
robes of white India muslin girded
with scarlet, and scarlet verbenas in her
hair. made an exceedingly pretty ad-
iunct to the scene. She was brunette,
with a brilliant complexion. all cream
and crimson, jet black hair, straight
and glossy as an Indians and eyes
whose melting brilliance was like the
dusky glow of tropic stars.
No wonder that little Ralph MoLta-
cute, the enthusiastic boy of eighteen.
was madlv in love with her--no wonder
that he hung on her slightest word as
an Eastern devotee hangs on the
priests oracular utterances.
Slowly, Pauline. when l am at your
side" he said, little reproachfully.
Pauline laughed and turned the
diamond and opal ring carelessly
dloNhu oh hci lIiStis'
You are only child, Ralph" she
said. little diSdainfully.
..I am year older than you, Pau
line"
Pauline Sedley reached up to tap his
flushed. beardless cheek with her fan.
"A girl of seventeen is equal to
man Of twenty-seven, any time, Ralph.
You're a nice little cavalier, and you
dance the polka delightfully."-, but you
see YOU are not fairly out of the top and
ball phase vet. Now there's Gustavus
Melville, he's man, and your cousin
| Harry Livingstone, 'caraiter sans pear.
ct Sais reprophe.' Major Livingstone's
majestic eyes are enough to set any
| woman's heart in blaze.
| She spoke abstractedly, looking out
toward the sea, and apparently uncon-
scious that She had any auditor but the
far off waves and the mantling twi-
light.
..Paulinel" calculated the boy, pas
sionately, IL may be young in years,
but you have taught my heart prema-
ture development. You have no right
to speak to me thus after playing with
nv affections all the summer.
Pauline glanced up In astonishment.
Finished coquette that she was, she had
hardly expected this outburst from the
most insignificant of all her victims.
She had encouraged Ralph Montacute's Q
too visible infatuation simply because
il pleased her TO make 4 captive OF the
pretty boy, and now she was as much
taken by surprise as would be the fish
srman if writhing trout should sud-
denly find voice to demonstrate when
the hook was being twisted out Of his
quivering jaws.
My dear Ralph. you are talking
nonsense she said lightly.
Nonsense! Is it nonsense to tell
you that love you-that my heart has
passed irravocably into your keepingi
that life will be desert without you?'
"Yes-very absurd nonsense! Go
back to school, Ralph, or college, for,
dear child, should as soon think of
marrying little Tony Warwick, who
has just got out of merino frocks!
Ralph Montacute was silent Pau
lines lightly spoken words Of ridicule
cut him to the heart,
Pauline" he said, almost sternly,
edo you think you have treated me
honorably?"
Pauline yawned.
"Honorably! what big word for the
occasion! One must amuse ones self
at place like this, and you certainly
ought to understand the difference be-
tween mere harmless Irritation and
real, sober earnest. Now, Ralph, do
be sensible and leave off teasing me,
that's good boy"
Ralph turned away.
Il see Mr.. Melville coming this way.
You will excuse me, Pauline?"
'Oh, certainly!'
Pauline drew deep breath of relief
as her youthful swain walked away to-
ward the star-lighted beach.
"Who would imagine that the little
fellow would have laid it so seriously
to hearth" she murmured softly as she
extended lily-white hand toward Mr..
Melville, who with half dozen others
had sauntered up the piazza steps.
you are looking grave, fair tragic
queen!' said Melville, drawing his
bamboo chair tritie closer to her.
| MAY one Vi lU6 uuHUItsl u dll your
slaves venture to ask why?'
| Ibid you ever kill or MAIN butter
fy?" demanded Pauline suddenly.
"A great many times, am afraid, in
the thoughtlessness of early youth. But
why do you ask?"
Because have just done the same
thing"
Mr.. Melville glanced questioningly
round.
'.Oh," laughed Pauline, lit wasn't a
real winged insect, Mr.. Me lille, l was
but speaking metaphorically. After
all that's matter of no particular con-
sequence-only a lesson the child need
ed to cure him of something very like
presumption. It's little Ralph Monta-
cute; he had the impertinence to tell
me that ne loved me. The idea of a
child like that taking advantage of the
encouragement one may have thought
lcssly given him to imagine-but it's
too ridiculous.
Faith, don't see the ridiculous side
of it." said Melville. sternly. "Monta-
cute is young, but he is manly fellow,
and-pardon me, sovereign lady of all
hearts-but you did encourage him
most markedly"
II never thought of anything SER
ious." lisped Pauline. with an artless-
ness truly angelic; lit was only the
chance amusement of an hour"
| Melville shrugged his shoulders.
"A good deal like the story of the
frogs and the boys" he said. But to
dismiss all less pleasant subjects-what
do you say to row on the sea by star
Eght?"
| Il shall be delighted"
And the merry group vanished into
the enpurpled darkness, their voices
ringing on the air long after their forms
were imperceptible.
Then. and not till then, tall figure
raised itself from the bamboo settee, or
couch, Just within the wide open win
| dows, where the cool muslin curtains
waved sc.tly at every breath of the soft