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


no; that would be shabby trick He's
mine, for better or worse, and I've no feal
that it won't soon be for better
"Mamma was in the drawing-room, and
unconscious of my fancied claims, imme
diately monopolized Colonel Davenant.
The other gentleman devoted himself to my
sisters, so L sat apart in silence, until it
occurred to me to take private and pa
thetic farewell of Jack
II therefore slipped away, and having
provided myself with a propitiatory offer
ing of biscuits l opened the hall door, and
found him, as | had expected, lying on the
mat outside.
'He ate my biscuits, but received my
less substantial demonstrations of tender
ness with stolid indifference. As there was
nobody there to see, I put my arms round
his neck and kissed him with silent tears.
But he had evidently been in the water,
for he was wet and dirty, 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 ruefully at the dirty marks on
my 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 Davenant
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 l said but he
seemed to take it for assent, and replied,
smiling
4 shall count upon it, then, remember.
Goodbye
ale was gone I rushed upstairs to the
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 with
his belongings. His TGme was not forgot
ten there; before it could be, he would be
back among them. [ could frequent the
places where [ had been used to see him.
1t was a qualification to me to hang my
garden-hat on the peg of the stand where
[ had sometimes seen his hat hang. 1t
gave me pleasure to eat boiled mutton,
though I hated it, because [ had once heard
him say he liked it. 1t was source of
lively delight to linger on the doorstep
where he had often waited.
'There were moments when, but for
very shame, would have knelt to kiss the
stone on which his foot had rested.
played his favorite air, the Dead March in
Saul, on the piano whenever nobody was
listening, and | kept keen lookout fol-
military funerals, which had to pass our
house to reach the cemetery, mile further
on; though we, in spite of being close tc
the road, were so well screened from public
view by evergreen shrubs, that it was only
from the windows of the boudoir, upstairs,
that we could see anything passing.
"With all these consultations | could not
be long miserable I was, in fact, intense
ly happy and foolish. My happiness col
ored my whole existence. From a shy,
ill-tempered girl, who Stunned all notice,
and always expected snubs, [ became ami
able and cheerful. If notice was accorded
me, took it without elation, as natural; if
it was withheld | did contentedly without
it, and thought of the one who never neg
lected me. Colonel Davenant's good opin-
ion had raised me in my own esteem, and
gave me modest self-confdence which
raised me in the esteem of others.
"The first of the two months went by
slowly; but the second passed more quickly,
for the ball filed much of our time and
thoughts The invitations, the supper, the
decorations, the music, and, most import OF
all, our dresses, were all matters that had
to be discussed and rediscussed [ took
very little share in the talking, though |
had to assist in the doing.
"The ball meant to me Colonel Dave
nant, and I could not interest myself in
such very minor accessories as the lights
and the music. Nothing could awake me
to enthusiasm but the mental exercise of
counting the weeks, the days, and, at last,
the hours which must elapse before l
could see him.
"The day came at last, and dragged
slowly through, measured by the quickened
beats of my happy heart. l made myself
wreath of violets, which were Col Dave
nants favorite flowers, and fattered myself
that he would think it triumph of artistic
skill Every touch put into it was die
tated by the thought is for him.
"Oh, how happy was, as [ stood before
the glass, dressed My joy was so intense
that it was almost pain.
" 'Lor, miss, you do look nice 7 the maid
said, when she had given me the final
touch, and was about to leave the room to
perform the same Office for my sisters.
"I thought she was right. My cheeks
were flushed, my eyes were sparkling, my
violet wreath was becoming. For at least
once in my life was looking really pretty,
and my heart bounded with delight at the
fancy. For would he not see me, and
might he not think so too?
II could count the moments now to that
blissful meeting; and, at the thought, my
heart beat SO fast, and my fingers trembled
so much, that I could scarcely fasten the
last bunch of violets in my dress. Over
and over again 1 whispered to myself:
+" I shall see him tonight shall see
him Immediately
''No shadow of coming evil fell ON me;
no presentiment of trouble darkened those
happy moments. / gave my own smiling
reflection one parting glance, and as l
turned to leave the room | said:
i" when I next look in this glass shall
have seen him. ] shall have touched his
hand. and heard his voice l shall have