The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1885-04-02

BY MARY {. PRESTON.

"He positively neglects you, Mamie
| wonder you stand it..
Lena Blair touched the light brown
hair of her brothers betrothed very ten
derby, but shade Of annoyance crossed
her fine, naughty face.
"You love him far too we'll, little one, 81
she said rapidly. eff you were not so
willing to accept any sort Of treatment
from him, Pm sure he'd not act as be
does. Now, last night at the hop saw
your pretty eyes turning toward him
wherever he was-and he wasn't very
near you often; noticed that, too-full
Of the most transparent devotion. Why
didn't you do as he was doing2 He was.
deep in a Irritation with Nell Glynn
Why didn't you try the same amusement ?
You might find it as pleasant as he did,
or seemed to; and when Roy Lexon tried
to be civil to you, you actually snubbed
him. o, you little goose SO long as
you submit to this sort of thing, so long
will you find it continue. You are too
patient, dear am sure you never say
word to Jack about all his hirtations,
do you, Nannie?''
The pretty gray eyes fell, and flicker
ing color, sweet as that Of the wild prim
rose, came and went in Mamie Mays
cheek. 1t was very dainty and flower
like face that Lena watched so closely,
yet with touch ofimpatience in her own
dark eyes.
(" | couldn't say anything unpleasant to
him, Lena, she said, softly "and am
sure he loves me best ALWAYS. "
"Of course he does but his conduct
sometimes pains you. know it does"
There was slight contraction Of the
low, white forehead, and a sudden quiver
of the girlish lips, as they said simply:
Sometimes" Then they added hasti-
ly, {" know he doesn't mean to make me
miserable. He does it all in thoughtless-
ness, Lena. dear.
"Then it's about time you taught him
to consider little. Your patience will
make confirmed tiirt of him. ~"
What can do? never could quar-
rel with Jack 1t would kill me. Lena,
if spoke to him at all on the subject, |
know would crv.
And then he would kiss you, and call
You silly and jealous without reason; and
you would ask his pardon, aud he wonld
tiirt more than ever
Well, what is there for me to do?''
Make him jealous.
81 never could; | am no tlirt. and
love Jack too well to make him miser-
able. "
"And Jack ought to love you too we'll
to want to make you miserable. "
"lIe doesn't think"
"Then teach him to think :" inpatient
ly. /" have plan, Mamie, which will
~ori spiendidiy if YOU put it In execution.
Sandy Anderson comes here tomorrow
You know him 2"
go, very we'll, indeed He is an old
friend in fact
Well, secret he isis my lover.
We are betrothed."
Lena, dear" with girlish delight.
never even suspected. Let me kiss you.
Does Jack know?"
NO, you child Do you forget the
old feud between them since one-I for
get which-gave the other good drub-
bing at college. And Jack isn't to know
just yet either l told you Sandy comes
tomorrow Let me lay my plan before
you, and see if there isn't more of the
comic than tragic in my plot"
They were walking slowly along the
beach, within sight of the hotel at which
both were guests; both with their pa.
rents at Atlantic City, spending very
delightful summer by the sad sea
waves"
Jack Blair had joined the party two
weeks before, and still had four weeks
left of the vacation given him generously
by his senior partner in their Baltimore
bank.
The two girls talked for some time,
and when they had finished, both were
laughing heartily.
While their faces were yet dimplng
with mirth, they came suddenly upon q
couple sitting on the sands, in the very
agreeable-to them-depths of an ami
mated conversation. They had a huge
light sunshade over them and the
young man-none other than Jack Blair
himself was quite pronounced in his de-
sire to protect his companions complex
ion from the sun while he was industr-
ously swaying great fan to and fro,
quite near, In fact almost tenderly near
the pretty, petulant pink and white face
of Nell Glynn, said to be one of the most
unscrupulous and industrious of flirts, and
certainly enjoying her sojourn beside the
sea.
Lena and Mamie nodded to them and
passed on. Lena laughed mischievo usly.
"Strike just such an attitude some
time for his benefit" she said and Nan
ME blushed deep red, but smiled a lit
tie also.
The next evening there was to be a
pleasant hop at neighboring hotel, and
Jack had promised to escort Lena and
Mamie.
He was waiting for them as he had
promised, on the terrace, when his sister
approached him alone
Isn't Mamie ready p" he asked
Everybody has gone; Miss Glynn and
her mother went more than halt an hour
ago"
And Mamie has been gone more
than half an hour" Lena responded,
easily.
"With her mother? understood Mrs.
May was rot going"
"She is in the parlor. Mamie went
with Mr.. Anderson"
Jack stared.
"She was to 60 with us"
81 told you SO, but was mistaken, you
see. We will be late, Jack"
Jack offered his arm, and led his sister
across the terrace and along the sands,
looking a trife grave.
Mamie will he tho hallo IN n;.h. u.