The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-12-26


l gave you that sprig of sweet Yerbe-
ma at Mrs. Lyttell's conservatory
that winter night. You were belle
| then-the star of the evening. People
spoke of you as the beautiful Miss
Vaudeville"
Ibid they ?"
And l told myself" Florian add
ed, THAT it was useless to hope to
win the love of one so courted and
hattered. That l had no sort of
chance. That it was hest for me to
withdraw from the lists before |
had got my poor wings, moth fash
ion, hopelessly Scared and scanned"
That was so like man." said
Kate, with rising color. "You con-
stituted yourself judge, jury and exc
cutiensr, ALI i'm, ppe.. WiaL you be
good enough to step little aside? I
have to pack these glasses careEnlly
into box. and"
pardon me-" said Fontenel, with
out stirring the tenth part of an inch.
"Just one minute more. Well, | left
and went abroad. The next winter
when 1 returned other stars were
shining upon the fashionable horizon.
NY planet was gone. | am proud
man by nature, and said to myself
that if Miss Mandeyille had care d
for me she would have signified to me
by some sign, however slight, that
she was still in existence. She did
not"
"You can see why" said Kate,
with heightened color. II have re-
CeivCd too many rebuffs from the
dear particular friends of old days to
encourage Ee to risk any new dan
gers. But" with dropping eyelash.
rs, Il have got the sprig of sweet ver-
| bena hidden away in my portfolio
yet. l don't often get time to look
at it, tut it is always there to think
of. Now may l go on with my
jelly ?"'
"Not quite yet" said Fontenel
with gravity that was truly lauda-
bic. Miss Mandeyille. if l had fol-
lowed out the first instincts of my
heart the night | gave you the sweet
verbena if | had asked you to he my
wile-what would you have said 2"
Il should have said yes" Kate an
swered.
Fontenel bit his lip.
"And | was mad enough to throw
away all my chances of happiness" i"
he said. "But 1 will not be so rash
a second time, Will you trust me
now, Miss Vaudeville? Will you
marry me? | loved you dearly then,
but, as heaven is my witness, love
you better and more tenderIy now.
In all my life | have never really
cared for but one woman. and she is
before me now. Will you take me,
Kate, with all my faults and eccen-
tricities, and try and make me more
worthy of yOurself?"
And Kate put her little hand in his
and answered with innocent frank
ness, "Yes."
Mrs. Major Fontenel was one of
those feminine Diplomats who always
adapt themselves graciousIy to the
eXigencies of the situation. and she
called on Miss Vaudeville the next
day, and congratulated her, in the
prettiest way in the world. upon her
engagement.
"But really" she added with an
artless laugh, 81 had grown to be-
lieve that FlOrian was foreOrdained
old bachelor. You don't know Miss
Vaudeville, Whata victory you have
achieved"
And she enacted her part so per.
fectly that Flori1n Fontenel, in spite
of his own senses, was almost con
WINGED that she had never cared for
him at all. But to her French maid,
Jeanne, she said angrily, when at
last she returned home and flung her
elegant wrappings recklessly on the
sofa:
"There bursts the brightest bubble
of my future | could have held my
own against any new fancy, sol
emnly believe, but these Old flame,
are too much for anyone to contend
against"
And Jeanne clasped her hands anC
answered tragicaIly: "Ah, madame
it is very much heart breaking"
An End to Bono ScrapDing.
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