The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-01-29

her shoulders, and as she had dropped her
r~iding-hat, her head was Unprotected. Her
wet dress chung to her person., and alto
gether she suggested the idea of a naiad,
and a very charming one.
"There is nothing to do but walk home,"
| said. "You don't seem to mind it in the
least"
81 don't mind it at ALL" she said, laugh
ing. And putting on her hat, which l
picked up, she,took my arm, and we walked
to the villa, where we We're received with
EXPLANATIONS and every evidence of delight.
l came home when the storm lulled o
little, and have amused myself by writing
this page in my journal. l wonder whether
she felt the least bit of agitation / GER
tainly did when her arms were around my
neck and her cheek touched mine?
III.
I rode over to Mr.. Fenton's this morning.
As | came in sight of the old merchants
villa l was struck with the contrast between
the house and grounds and my own. Mr..
Fenton has amused his leisure in lavishing
money on the place, and nothing could be
neater or more attractive. l think envy
was left out of my composition, but l re-
member thinking: "The owner of a fine
establishment is fortunate. If he falls in
love with a rich girl, nobody can suspect
his motives"
I was riding up to the gate leading into
the grounds, when Warrington passed in
his drag with his superb bays and liveried
footman. His appearance was Respondent,
his handsome mustache curled with
enjoyment as he cried: How goes it, my
| dear fellow" Then the shining drag went
by like a flash n disappeared through
the tall gateway.
Warrington had evidently come to call
on Miss Hermoncieux, and the fact was
annoying. | should be de trOp and it is
not good to be de hop. I~hesitated, resolved
to put off my visit, rode back slowly for a
mile, and then, impatient at my own cow
ardice, returned n rode into the grounds
of the villa just in time to see Miss Her.
moncieux and Warrington disappearing
on a stroll.
Miss Arthur was sitting in a rustic arm
chair on the veranda.
"Do come and ak to mew she ex-
claimed, holding out her hand, and point
ing to a chair near her. "Poor Sir Tristan,
l am your only resource. The gallant Sir
Warrington has borne off the prize"
1 was accustomed to Miss Arthur's
yivacity n plain-speaking, SO 1 said:
"Well, the prize, l suppose, is willing"
Miss Arthur looked at me satirically,
her black eyes sparkling. "What actors
you gentlemen are! You affect indiffer-
ence,. and yet found out your secret a
month ago."
"My secret?"
"You are in love with Elise Hermon-
cieux. You are blushing. Twas certain of
it,"
"What an idea :" 1 stammered. SIT would
be too stupid.
Il QOQ'G see Una IL would De so SCuDlQ.
Elise is the very best girl in the world, and
not positively frightful. Mr.. Warrington
IS enslaved, you see, and you know he is a
gentleman of TASTE"
1 was entitled, I thought, to my revenge,
and said: as he. Well, I heard that he
was a devoted friend of yours"
Miss Arthur colored a little, and I de-
tected a lurking expression of satire on her
red lips. "Certainly he is a devoted
friend, and how charming it will be to have
4 ill.,, - tho ,y,s1 81
Are they to be married? When is it to
take placer"
Miss Arthur looked at me a moment
without speaking, and then said: "Win
you answer a plain question? dare you,
as the children say"
'In not take a dare.' Yes, I will an
swer it."
well, why don't you tell Elise:"
''Tel her"
"That you love the very ground she
walks on:"
"What an absurdity"
mo, l am not at all absurd" she said.
"If there was any doubt, you would not
blush SO. Do you know l like to see people
blush! 1t is so honest! 1 really take an
interest in you. 1t is surprising, but you
pay me just as much attention as you did
when you supposed l was a great heiress."
D you think that so astounding"
SIT has at least the charm of contrast;
others have not been so disinterested. 1t is
" AhSCt buO Ou eIiti L " JuSO as SOOu
friends as before, and | think friends ought
to give each other advice"
"Certainly."
"Well, shall 1 give you some?'
"1f you please"
"Teil Elise. She doesn't suspect it in the
least. A brave nan ought to have courage
to risk his fate"
She spoke earnestly now, and l felt an
impulse to speak as earnestly in reply"
miss Arthur | said, sdid YOU ever re-
| fact how nnnlpac can't If ic fn ha nonrI IF &c
what the French call q betise."
THAT depends. Health and friends are
! the greatest source of happiness, and 1
don't believe It'll good for anybody to be
very rich."
81 agree with you; and yet suppose a
man with just enough to live upon falls in
love with a woman of large fortune, what
is he to dol"
"Tell her so."
"And be suspected of thinking of hel
money and not of herself. No, 1 thank
you."
"And that is the reason you don't pay
your addresses to Elise, though you are q
victimw There was something Irresistible
in her frankness.
81 did not know it until the other evening
it is absurd, but 1 did not."
"The other evening, when you rode HON
with her, and so gallantly rescued her, and
embraced her in that highly improper
manner! She was shocked. She told me
all about it,"
"And made me a laughing-stock, I sup.
pose. Well, l can't help that"
"She did not laugh at you in the least
And so hat is the reason you are so glum
Sir Tristan, the sad knight, allows the gay
Sir Warrington to win the princess because
he is afraid of being misunderstood"
eff you choose. But L must ask on
favor-that you will not speak to Mis-
Hermoncieux of this conversation"
81 promise. So Elise's wealth is the only
obstacle:"
"You are terribly exacting in your ques
tions."
"There, l will not ask you any more now
it would be quite unnecessary. You hav,
told me all without telling me anything
and now l mean to tell you something"
SIT will interest me, | | hope"
"You are certain to be deeply interested.
"Do relieve my suspense"
"Why not? 1t will make you happy
But here is Elise. She and Mr.. Warrington
are coming back. wonder if he has-wel
popped"
, interest me so much"
mo; come back Tomorrow" she said, il
!, a low tone. "Look! something has Ger
tainly happened. Mr.. Warrington is in tn
highest spirits"
5 Miss Thermometers and her companio
came to the portico, and. she held out
| small hand, smiling shyly, after her fash
ion. General conversation followed, an
then, finding that my friend Warringto
5 was resolved to remain, 1 rode bach home
".
What was Miss Arthur going to tell me
I was immensely puzzled. At the end G
| an hours reflection and speculation
not imagine what she meant.
1 was seated on my old porch afte
: breakfast reading a newspaper when War
]. rington drove up, and, squeezing my han
| warmly, said he had come to smoke a ci
gar. He presented his elegant Ease, and W
2 were soon seated smoking fraternally.
81 dropped in to see you, old fellow" b
. said, "to tell you hat my affair yonder
9 about arranged"
S "Your affair-with Miss Hermoncieux:
He nodded with an air of much enjoy
ment.
"Wen," 1 said, 81 congratulate yol
When is to take placer"
"Warrington looked at me curiously. {
b thought you would be more cut up,' h