The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-04-11
PLAYING WITH FIRE.
CHAPTER I.

cret, Mrs, FeatherStone dlnner-paTty on | May } I&8 -, was matter of no small | amusement and interest while even to those who were mere outsiders, and un- acquainted with more than the superficial aspects of society, the occasion was no ordinary one. Leonard DaIzell was to be present, after more than years absence from London, and was to introduce his wiie-a bride of two months stan ding to that small portion of his friends who were dining with Mrs. Featherstone.
 Those who were not behind the scenes were yet little excited at the prospect of meeting a man whose history of Italian literature had, by rare combination of beauty of style and depth of learning, managed both to captvate the general public and satisfy the learned critics, while the presence of his bride lent cer- tain air of romance to the successful au- thor's reappearance But to the initiated the occasion was rendered douoly pi4lant by the presence of lady whom surely no one but Mrs. Featherstone would have asked to meet the bridal couple. Sydone Marvel. who was sitting so quietly and composedly in the low armchair, talking with Sir oseph Tow CTS, had been, as every one knew, en- gagged for some months to Leonard Dalzell. Every one knew this fact-that is, every one who knew anything among whom must not be included the hostess, who was only conscious of extreme de- light at having secured two such eminent personages for one dinner-party.
 More than one pair of eyes glanced furtively, but none the less curously, at Sydonie as the D llzells were announced, but without result, for she went on un- concernedly in her talk with Sir Joseph, and only looked up when Leonard Dalz sll made his way to her side.
 She put out her hand cordially and spoke with a certain suppressed enthus- iasm which marked her more emotional utteranceS.
 '' l am so glad to see you in England again, and to tell you in person how much have rejoiced in your success"
 He bowed gravely in ans yer; his tongue was not so ready as hers, and be- sides, she had been expecting and pre- pairing for his arrival during the whole time that she had been listening to Sir Joseph's commonplaces, while he had not had more than moment in which to compose himself to meet her
 Perhaps she guessed what kept him silent, for she went on, changing her tone to one of delightfully."- easy friendship.
 hope you are going to stay, now that you are back in England. You have been very much missed must own that l could not bear to hear of your going away again"
 Sir Joseph, overhearing the friendly, almost affectionate, tone of the little speech, thought to himself how absurd people were ln talking as if these two had ever been engaged. Why, it was obvious that Miss Marvel cared nothing for D H. 7ell which possibly was the impression Miss Marvel intended to create.
 It was strange experience for Leonard to feel her hand once more upon his arm as they went down to dinner together still stranger to look down the staircase to the large hall across which Mir. Feather stone was leading the bride in her trail- ing white gown. The situation was one which, a year ago, he would have de- clared to be hideous impossibility, but which now seemed bearable and even en- Joyable. What words of passionate love, ot angry reproaches, had passed between him and this woman, who was nothing to him now but chance acquaintance You were so quick to congratulate me that l am obliged to appear as mere copyist." he said, as soon as they were seated {" but incur the risk in order to tell you that have seen and that ap preciate Psyche"
 She is well hung, is she not ?" asked his companion with pleased smile but tell me, did she satisfy your"
 Her voice was eager with anticipation perhaps he felt certain delight in an. swering her in half testing way.
 Do your own ideas ever satisfy other people ?" he asked.
 "Ah !" she sighed. "Don't wander of into general statementsl am as vain and egotistical as of old. want you te talk about my picture, not about picture: in the abstract"
 Something in her appeal touched 6 chord in his memory, and he dropped hi. half-bantering tone, and spoke to her ir simple straight forward way.
 Well, if l am to find fault with Psyche 1t is the old fault that you try to show toe much. Everything in your works ha: some hidden meaning-you can't paint { butterfly on rose, and be content with the effect of beauty you have created You must paint them to represent some allegory-every flower and every insec under your hands becomes a vehicle fol sermon. You ride the nineteenth century hobby-horse of symbolism toe hard. Take care you do not ride it te death"
 Miss Marvel listened very patiently tc his criticism, and seemed to consider carefully what he had said.
 "lt is Sxendenborg, is it not" she asked at length, who declares that the world is built by correspondences, and that all outward things are but types o spiritual ones p
 have no doubt that he has main. tained that or similar absurdity," Leon. ard made answer dryly; "and you had best beware, Sydonie, or yous passion fol mysticism will land you in Swedenborg. ianism-or whatever may be its modern substituten
 The name onre so fam;l;av and so d>a,