The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-04-04

i
unconscious Of my fancied claims, imme
diately monopolized Colonel Davenant
The other gentleman devoted himself to my
sisters, so / sat apart in silence, until il
occurred to me to take a private and pa
thetic farewell of Jack.
''I therefore slipped away, and having
provided myself with propitiatory offer.
ing of biscuits [ opened the hall door, and
found him, as / had expected, lying on tht
mat outside.
''He ate my biscuits, but received my
less substantial demonstrations of tender
ness with stolid Indifference. As there wa'
nobody there to see, | put my arms rounc
his neck and kissed him with silent tears
But he had evidently been in the water
for he was wet and dirty, a circumstance
that, in the exuberance of my feelings,
had not counted on, and his behavior chilled
me even more than the muddy dampness
of his coat. He shook himself free from
my encircling arms, and with an air OF
deeply wounded dignity, removed himself
to safe distance from my endearments.
II looked ruefulIya at the dirty marks on
nv white cuffs, and sneaked back into the
drawing room, feeling convinced that there
was really nothing left in the world for me
to live for.
every shortly afterwards the two off.
GERS rose to depart Colonel Dayenant
said goodbye to me last.
"'Mrs, Fortescue tells me she is going
to give ball on the 9th of January.
shall just be back in time for it. Will you
keep dance for me 2
II don't know what | said, but he
seemed to take it for assent, and replied
smiling
4 shall count upon it, then, remember
Goodbye
Gle was gone rushed upstairs to the
boudoir, from whence view of the road
was to be obtained, and saw him ride away
on his fiery chestnut, with Jack jumping
wildly about in front, in testimony to his
delight at seeing his master again after
twenty minutes absence. Then retired
to my room and wept.
Il regained my spirits, however, as a
matter of course He was coming back
and in the meantime he had left his regi
ment behind him. could still regard the
lights of Croxton, if not with the same
lively delight as formerly, yet with some
sense of comfort. His horses were there
his brother officers were there; his rooms
though untenanted, were there, filled witt
his belongings His name was not forgot
ten there; before it could be, he would b.
back among them. | could frequent the
places where had been used to see him
! 1t was qualification to me to hang my
garden-hat on the peg Of the stand where
| [ had sometimes seen his hat hang. L
gave me pleasure to eat boiled mutton
though [ hated it, because had once heart
him say he liked it. 1t was source o
lively delight to hnger on the Doorstep
where he had often waited.
"There were moments when, but TO
very shame, l would have knelt to kiss th
stone on which his foot had rested.
PLAYED his favorite air, the Dead March il
Saul, on the piano whenever nobody wa
listening, and [ kept keen lookout 70
military funerals, which had to pass ou
house to reach the cemetery, mile furthe
on; though we, in spite of being close t
the road, were so well screened from publ
view by evergreen shrubs, that it was onl,
from the windows of the boudoir, upstairs
that we could see anything passing.
eWith all these consultations | could no
be long miserable. I was, in fact, intense
ly happy and foolish My happiness col
ored nv whole existence From shy
ill-tempered girl, who Stunned all notice
and always expected snubs, | became ami
able and cheerful. If notice was accorde'
me. [ took it without elation, as natural;
it was withheld [ did contentedly withou
it. and thought of the one who never neg
lected me. Colonel Davenant's good opin
ion had raised me in my own esteem, ant
gave me a modest self-confdence whicl
raised me in the esteem of others.
"The first of the two months went b.
slowly; but the second passed more quickly
for the ball filled much of our time ant
thoughts. The invitations, the supper, tn
decorations, the music, and, most import 0
all, our dresses, were all matters that ha
to be discussed and rediscussed. L tool
very little share in the talking, though
had to assist in the doing.
"The ball meant to me Colonel Dave
nant, and 1 could not interest myself il
such very minor accessories as the light
and the music. Nothing could awake m
to enthusiasm but the mental exercise q
counting the weeks, the days, and, at last
the hours which must elapse before
could see him.
sThe day came at last, and dragge
slowly through, measured by the quickene
beats of my happy heart. | made mysel
a wreath of violets, which were Col. Dave
nants favorite flowers, and fattered mysel
that he would think it triumph OF artist
skill Every touch put into it was dit
tated by the thought is for him.
"Oh, how happy | was, as | stood befor
the glass, dressed My joy was so intens
that it was almost pain.
Lor, miss, you do look nice the mai
said, when she had given me the tin'
touch, and was about to leave the room
perform the same Office for my sisters.
II thought she was right. My cheek
were flushed, my eyes were sparkling, m
violet wreath was becoming. For at lea'
once in my life l was looking really prett.
and my heart bounded with delight at tn
E fancy. For would he not see me, an
might he not think so too?
/, II could count the moments now to tn;
blissful meeting; and, at the thought, m
heart beat so fast, and my fingers tremble
SO much, that | could scarcely fasten tn
last bunch of violets in my dress. Owe
and over again 1 whispered to myself:
+" L shall see him tonight shall sc
him Immediately.
"No shadow of coming evil fell on M
no presentiment of trouble darkened thos
happy moments gave my own smilin
reflection one parting glance, and as
turned to leave the room said:
i" when | next look in this glass | sha
have seen him. shall have touched h
hand, and heard his voice. [ shall hav
nothing left to wish for
'I met Claire in the passage. She wa
looking radiantly beautiful, and was in hig
good humor.
"'How nice you look, Hester ! she sai'
You will be walking off with some of m
admirers.
at sbool- my baad lauphinp and renlie