Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-02-28
HALF A SHEET.
Just a look the strife began,
Jealousy the flame did fan,
Irue loves cOurSe np'er smoothly RAJ

he is not briefess. But they forget that 1t is in
IL great measure due to his own abilities and
hard work that his present position has been so
quickly won AS regards appearance, he is tall
and fairly good-looking; that is. TO say his profile
is handsome one. but his full face Is spoiled by
mis- eyes, which are too small. His hair is light
and curly, he shaves his mustache and only
wears pair of bushy wiskers. Not one man in
u hundred would acknowledge him to be
'.jolly-looking fellow" and yet it is O face
that takes with ladies' Ask any of them
what it is they admire, and hear what they
Tn say 5: e mas sven glorious profile and
worst.part about him. aWei. perhaps e t teey
are not what you call good, but there is "a some
that like, and then they look so nice when he
screws them up and this is all you will be
able to learn. There was one young lady who
above all Others, admired him, and who some
three months before the time we make his ac-
guaintance, had had given her promise to be the
Linton, only Child of old Linton, late of Lark
Lane, now Derby Villa, Harrow, whose pride
Deprett ana the "feerage,' and his great am
bltion was TO marry Mabel to title. 1t can
therefore be understood what a blow her en-
ship and proposal had all taken place while Ma
bel was on a visit 10 her rich, chidless aunt, in
Bayswater. and old Linton knew nothing about it
until ii was a Joit uccompii The rich, ehildess
aunt had good deal to dueayith wrinying q re-
iuGtant consent from Linton pere, Tor next to a
when two days before the April morning on
which we make Percy's acquaintance Mabels
were TO stay in the house for it, and Percy, OF
course, received invitation. In due course
he appeared in the ballroom, and was some
what astonished to find his young lady whirl-
ing round the room in the arms of a stran-
ger, more especially as he had told her he
would come cary, and asked her to keep the
waitZes for him. As soon as the dance was over
he went up to her and asked to look at her card
Why, Mabel what's the meaning OF thiss| he
q p m fInl inst
four of the best waltzes. 81 thought you had
promised them to me?"
so had; ii S all right-don't be angry, dear
take No. 8; its only the lancers, but we shall
have time to talk
well, that Will do to begin with, and then"
but Mabel was borne away on her partners
arm before he had time to finish Percy S pride
was hurt, and, in no very amiable frame of
mind, he walked round the room, until he dis
covered a cousin OF his whom he had not met
for some years. He sat down beside her. and
then the thought struck him that he could pay
Mabel out in her own coin, and he put his
name down on his cousins card for q good
many dances. When No. arrived and he and
did not mend much, for, though Mabel appeared
repentant and sorry, Percy was cOIu aud
naughty, and would not give her much chance
You seem to have found yer, agreeable
acquaintance-l should say friend ais even
ing, Mabel. don't think / have seen him
before, have L? Ah l see he's coming next TO
you in this set, you will be able to continue
your conversation. Don't mind me; you know
''Oh, Percy, please don't say that; it isn't like
you: something has veAed YOU, know. 1t is
brought him with US this evening, and insisted
ON my dancing with him Whenever he asked
me. | thought you wouldn't mind, Percy,
mind? Not bit of it. Why should 1? You
OF course are at liberty to dance with any one
just the same as l am
Percy, you are unjust and cruel. l have
saved all the other waitZes for YOU
i am sorry to hear it, for shant be able to
all to that lady in blue you saw me dancing
with just now.
Mabel only said, Every well, dear; as you like:
but am So sorry"
Percy pretended not TO hear and directed his
conversation to the lady on his left during the
remainder of the set. On its conclusion he left
Mabel In the conservatory on the plea Of hav-
ing To look for his next partner. AS he walked
away he congratulated himself that he had
been as firm as a rock, and had taught Mabel a
lesson that he was not to be treated in that
manner, and yet all the time feeling yery I'M
comfortable, and wishing he had made it up
with her. For the remainder of the evening he
notice the fact.
He did not see Mabel again till she was
leaving the room on Lord IvOr's arm with her
father on the other side. She gave him one
pleading, loving look just she was going
through the doorway, which he pretended not
to see. He did not stay long after her depart
ure, and as he drove home to the Temple he
great fool of himself, and whether he hadn't
behaved badly toward her after ALL. The fol-
lowing morning he half made up his mind to
run down to Harrow and make peace with her
but then the devil within him whispered that
1t would be showing great want of frmness in
so doing and that it was her place, as the wrong
doer, to plead tor forgiveness, and his a. the in.
jured party, to grant it. And so he allowed the
day to go by, hating himself and all the world,
pected she would write, admitting her fault.
But no letter came. And now, when we see
shs an he
from his bedroom he found three Or four letters
beside his plate, but none from Mabel. He is In
nix, and does not know what to do.
1T her place to write, not mine" he tells
himself, land yet I'll be hanged If GO through
such another day as yesterday for ali the pride
and it was her fathers doing. Poor little dar.
ling, was wrong, and it's no good saying 1
for that fellow, I'll bet my life on It, IN 20
down to Harrow to-day. By Jove! won't it be
sTandT boa s up as aha ire aors
meant. But won't stand any more of the old
mans humbug, or he'll be making some real
mischief. IN run home soon as I get a
chance, talk it over with the governor, and see
If We cannot arrange matters so that can be
married this ong.:-Hullo, hope that's not a
heard at his door. "Well, Rogers, what is it?''
to his clerk, who entered.
"A parcel and q note, sir"
Put the parcel on the table, and give me the
note; thank you, that will do"
Prom Mabel, at last, he exclaimed, as he
reads the direction in the hand that be knows
so well; II knew she'd write, and it was Just as
well didn't go down yesterday, after ali.
w hats this?' as he opens the sheet and
reads as follows.
SIR: After your conduct toward me at Mrs La
neham' S dance 1t isevident havebeen mistaken
IN your aHectlon for me; your studied rudeness
was remarked by many, and, after what has
occurred, IL Is clear that You wish our ENGAGE
ment to cease. Indeed, there is no other course
left open, and the bearer of this will deliver a
parcel containing the presents you have given
me at various times. may mention that nv
father quite approves of the course am taking
and has seen this letter. OF course we shall
not expect to see you again at Harrow l re-
main yours, MABEL LINTON
tGood heavens! she can't mean it." is all he
says, as he finishes reading and then sits
gazing into the fire, lost in thought, for a long
mas passed before he rises, with deep sigh.
W ell, that's all over, suppose, and she's no
better than the rest of them A real live lord
Is more attractive than struggling commoner.
ana coronet will send true love to the right
about any day. But didn't expect this OF Ma
THESE precious presents I was fool enough to
waste my money on? What shall l do with
Them? Sell them? No, don't think after all
could DO that; they were hers once No
can sell them. Contound 1t! I'm getting child
lsh over them; there, 60 up on that shelf" put
case you III serve as memento of where nv
loves been put, II l should ever want one: and
now for those pleadings.'
CHAPTER II.
"She to him was ever true:
Lovers quarrels love renew
SO they say
Six months have passed since we saw PERCY
Fletcher last. And we are once again in his
chambers. The long vacation Ia lust over and