Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-03-25
Gates aud Skttthfs.
PLIRfAfIONS.

/ And Pauline Sedley yaWucu as Sn
looked out upon the purpling tints OF the
twilight sea, where now and then the
bright reflection OF star seemed to nash
into the waves.
II was golden autumn evening. moon
less but radiant, with the balmy air full
of the fragrance of new-made hay. ming
limo not unpleasantly with the salt breath
Of the sea. and the sky all glorious with
tho dolphin-like hues of the diving day !;
and Miss Sedley. sitting on the huge BAL
conv in her floating robes of white India
mnslin. girded with scarlet, and scarlet
yerbenas in her hair. made an exceeding
IL pretty adjunct to the scene. She was a
| brunette. with brilliant complexion, all
cream and crimson, jet black hair, straight
and glossy as an Indians. and eyes whose
melting brilliancy was like the dusky glow
of tropic stars.
| No wonder that little Ralph Montacute.
the enthusiastic boy of Is. was madly in
love with her; no wonder that he hung on
her slightest words as an eastern devotee
hangs on the priests oracular utterances.
! "Slowlv. Pauline, when l am at your
side" he said little reproachfully.
Pauline laughed. and turned the dia-
mond and opal rings carefully round on her
fingers.
you are only child Ralph" she said
| little disdainfully.
Il am year older than you, Pauline J"
| Pauline Sedley reached up to tap his
flushed, beardless cheek with her fan.
"A girl of II is equal to man of u.
any time, Ralph You're nice little
cavalier, and you dance the polka de-
lightfully, but you see you are not fairly
out of the top and ball phase yet! Now.
there is Gustavus Melville. he's man !;
and your cousin. Harry Livingstone.
.caralier sans peur, ct sans reproche!n
Major Livingstone's magnetic eyes are
enough to set any woman's heart in a
blaze.
She spoke abstractedly. looking out
toward the sea. and apparently uncon-
scious that she had any auditor but the far
off waves and mantling twilight.
Pauline" calculated the boy, passion
ately, 81 may be Young in years, but you
have taught my heart premature develop
ment. You have no right to speak to me
thus, after playing with my affections all
| the summer"
Pauline glanced up in establishment.
| Finished coquette that she was. she hard
| ly expected this outburst from the most
insignificant of all her victims. She had
encouraged Ralph Montacute's too visible
nfatuation simply because it amused her
to make captive of the pretty boy, and
nc W she was as much taken by surprise
as would the fisherman if writhing trout
| should suddenly find voice to demonstrate
when the hook was being twisted out of
his quivering jaws.
My dear Ralph. you are talking non
sense" she said. lightly
Nonsense? Is it nonsense to tell you
that love you-that my heart has passed
irrevocably into your keeping; that life
will be a desert without you?'
"Yes-very absurd nonsense. Go back
to school. Ralph, or college; tor. dear
child, should as soon think of marrying
little Tony Warwick. who has Just got out
of merino frocks."
Ralph Montacute was silent. Pauline s
lightly spoken words of rldicule cut him
to the heart.
Pauline" he said, almost sternly, lido
you think you have treated me honora-
blv?'
Pauline yawned.
"Honorablv what big word for the
occasion One must amuse ones self at
place this, and you certainly ought to
understand the difference between mere
harmless Irritation and real, sober earnest.
Now lph do be sensible and leave off
teasing me, that's a good boy.'
Ralph turned away.
ii see MIR. Melville coming this way.
lou will excuse me, Pauline ?'
''Oh. certainly"
Eanlino Jrav- =, 81
her youthful swain walked away toward
the star-lighed beach.
"Who would imagine that the little fell
low would have laid it so seriously to
heart ?" she murmured softly, as she ex-
tended lly-white hand toward Mr.. Mel
vile. who, with half dozen others, had
sauntered up the piazza steps.
You are looking grave. fair tragic
queen, said Melville, drawing his bam-
boo chair trifle closer to her. May one
of the humblest of all your slaves ven.
ture to ask why"
did you ever kill or MAIN butter.
fly" demanded Pauline, suddenly.
"A great many times. am afraitl. in
the thoughtlessness of early youth. Blu,
why do you ask P"
Because | have Just done the same
thlng.
Mr.. Melville glanced questioningly
around.
OH laughed Pauline, sit was not a
real winged insect, Mr.. Melville. was
but speaking metaphorically After all
it's matter of no particular consequence
only lesson the child needed to cure
him of something very like presumption
It's little Ralph Montacute he had the
impertinence to tell me that he loved
me-"
The idea of child like that taking ad
vantage of the encouragement one NAV
have given him to imagine-but it's toe
ridiculous"
Faith, don't see the ridiculous side
of it," said Melville. sternly. "Monta.
cute is young, but is manly fellow
and-pardon me, sovereign lady of al
hearts-but you did encourage him mos,
markedly"
Il never thought of anything serious. =
lisped Pauline, with an artlessness truly
angelic. 1T was only the chance amuse
ment of an hour"
Melville shrugged his shoulders.
"A good deal like the story of the
frogs and the boys he said. But. r.
dismiss all less pleasant subjects, what dc
You say to row on the sea by star
light ~