The Wilmingtonian., 1886-09-04
A Mitchery of the Moonlight.


quite SO well as last week. Robert and r.
i'm her gay, gentle way-"must take good
care of socety's pet, mustn't we Roberto"
Leigh Arndale smiles-a beautiful, dreamy
sort of smile, that softens and sweetens into
wondrous beauty all the proud, equisite cur
yes of her dainty face.
Almost involuntarily Robert Grey lifts his
handsome head and encounters that rare
smile, but his dark eyes only grow sterner
yet as they again turn from that equiste liy-
ing picture, framed in roses and lilies, to
the picture growing into beauty on the easel |
before him.
"No WONDER" he thinks bitterly, "that |
men have been fools enough to blight all |
their lives for one smile like that from her ! |
No wonder, when bewidered by its spell, |
that they have been misled into believing |
that she possessed heart. Bah !she knows |
her power--and uses it y
AS if she divines his thought, a crimson |
stain dyes all her pure, pale face, but in a
moment it is gone, leaving her, if possible,
more pallid than before the old proud calm
comes back to her eyes, and she bends her
head slowly above the brilliant odorous
flowers in her white hands.
81 am sometimes tempted to dsobey the
physicians orders, Aunt Kathie," she says
In a sweet languid voice, just touched with
weary recklessness, land go-to Saratoga.
1t is too late in life now for me to live with
out the whirl, excitement and dissipation of
fashionable life !"
Miss Neil clasps her hands with cry of
alarm.
'Dear child" she says reproachfuliy,
'you must not think OF it it would be sure
death. Do you find Bob and me such poor
company, then, that you wish to leave us
soon, and that on your first visit to me?
There those servants are calling me again.
Don't stay out long, dear, and mako Bob
amuse you"
Saying which she disappears in the direc-
tion of the tihe old house.
Leigh continues caressing the roses in her
hands and Robert casts one sideloug glance
in her direction.
The extreme delicacy of health which
brought her to the country has only added
another charm-a more spiritual Fl o inatiop,
If possible-to The beauty of the face and
form SO with an impatient sigh he turns
away, apparently oblivious of Miss Arndale's
presence as he bends his close-c.opped head
above the easel.
For some time Leigh watches him in sill
ence, and dreamy, pathetic look creeps in
to her great beautiful eyes.
Below the long line of terraces lies the
lake, gintng in the last rays of sunlight
flung from the west; beyond the smooth
lawn lies the cool, deep forest, from the re-
cesses of which come family the song of an
early nightingale the air is heavy with the
odor Of roses and lilies, yet to Leigh Arm.
dale it brings only yearning pain-a sense
Of loneliness and loss.
She shivers as if from chilling draught
draws her white wrap about her shoulders
and rises slowly from the swinging willow
chair.
'May look at your work, Mr.. Grey 2
she asks softly, surveying the picture whil'
she speaks ; and with cold bow he step
aside,
''If it will interest you for one poor mo
ment," he says, latent mockery in his deel
voice. ''certainly. She told me to amuse yol
and have woefully neglected her command
A treacherous memory is my only excuse
Now am at your service, Miss Arndale.
am quite aware that firtation-a eonques
would amuse you most, but it is quite ou
of my line y
Not one curve of her fiawless face change
under the fire of his sarcasm.
A moment her eyes meets his in haugh
ty scorn, then pass by him to rest wearily o
the tender. purple hills beyond.
"When Aunt Katherine was here" sh
says calmy, ''you were Judging me. a
though every one should have the chance It
clear himself, l will not ask to hear you
verdict it is not necessary. Let us calml
stare facts in the face. Years ago you save
my life. was not ungrateful; but sine
then you have made me regret that | eve
owed you gratitude. Did you follow me
Red Oak to torture and insult me ?''
A hot wave of color crosses his high broy
an angry passionate vehemence flashes
his eyes, and he bites the long ends of h
moustache before replying.
"The object is not worth so much cOnsi
eration," he answers, with little sneerir
laugh, ''But the fact is, Miss Arndale, th
when l accepted Miss Neill's invitation,
had not even dreamed of meeting you her
She is kind enough to make me her favori
friend, you know. You were never here
any of my precious visits. Why should
poor devil of an artist dare even to think
the word-worshipped beauty and heires
supposed you were, of course, with t
brilliant world to which you belonged, wi
your fiance, young Lester"
A momentary pause, during which tn
survey each other, and then:
Had known that you were to be he
Robert Grey" she almost whispers, stretc
ing out her slim jeweled hands aud speak,
with tone of passion foreign to her natu
81 would have remained in my own wor
despite all the doctors in .Christendom, a
taken the consequences. What have de
to win your hate-your sarcasm, | do
know. Some natures are born antagonis
In your superclious mockery you have gi
me good reason to hate and scorn you.
you"
He bows coldly, and offers her his arm.
Don't excite YOURSELF" he says.