The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1886-10-16

guests began to inquire during the next
few days. "IIe does not seem SO in
fatuated with Miss Millicent as in times
gone by say week ago. You know
we were certain she was going to make
a total wreck of him."
"Oh, she has Tilted him, suppose;
only he stands it better than some
others"
cor he has Tilted her." was the half
admiring response from one who had
once suffered somewhat kecnly from her
fascinations. perhaps the flirting was
on his part after ALL"
But though none knew the cause, all
recognized the fact that the charming
coquette's chains were broken-Milli-
cent as well as the rest, though what
she thought or felt was known only TO
herself.
Yet they still talked, laughed, banded
sentimental nonsense with each other
as before.
The change was only in that subtitle,
indcfinable something which divides the
attentive, gallant admirer from the
lover.
1t was a still, sultry evening, the rich,
almost oppressive odor of summer roses
drifting in through the open windows
on the heavy air.
On the morrow the party at Wilmer
Hall was to break up, some going home,
others to fulfill engagements elsewhere,
but all would be scattered widely; and
as a consequence the conversation and
music took on rather sentimental
tinge.
at is your turn now, Starr" cX-
claimed some one after Milicent had
sung touching little ballad-she was
in a strangely subdued and quiet mood
this last evening. "Give us love-song
something tepder."
"All right" laughed Edgar, whose
spirits seemed not in the least depressed
by the morruw's parting.
And taking his place at the piano, he
ran over light, ripping prelude, and
then his rich tenor voice as lightly sang:
"Becausc her eyes to me and you
The brightest and the bluest,
Shall storms arise between us TO,
The eldest friends and trucst?
She smiles on me; my heart Is light,
And yours is stepped in sorrow,
And yet the flowers gave tonight
She'll throw oy0u tomorrow.
Coquette Is she, so say with me.
Let him who wins her wear her;
And faT-howcyer fair she be,
There's many a lassic fairer"
MilIicent stood near the piano, and.
as the verse ended, lie glanced at her
half-smilinSly.
She returned his look, a stecly, defiant
light in her blue-gray eyes. and her
check, at first pale, suddenly flushing
INTO vivid crimson.
She knew well for whom those words
were meant.
"Wcll, it is true, isn't it?' he asked,
in low but daring tone, answering the
challenge so clearly expressed in her
hook, while he went on playing softly.
Perhaps; | hope so," she retorted, in
the same reckless spirit. ITS wise
thing to be coquette"-with shrug
of her graceful shoulders-''it saves one
such lot of heart-aches, you know"
True" he nodded carelcssly, and
went on with his song.
Later, when all had said goodnight.
Ned lit cigar and strolled out beneath
the trees.
All his lightness, his airy chcerfulness
was gone; and, if one could have seen
his face in the darkness, one might
have read there the bitter story of all he
had suffered in the vain struggle to
crush down his helpless passion.
lie had not thought to find any com,
panions out there but the flowers, but
walking onward, half in a dream-he
came upon some one leaning over the
gate in an attitude so touchingly sug-
gestive that when she tarned at the
sound Of his step, he started in surprise.
1t was Milliccnt,and there were traces
of tears on her fair, proud face.
With naughty gesture she tried to
pass him without speaking; but yield.
ing to an impulse Of recklessnrss which
was, after all part of his nature, he
Suddenly vowed to have an understand
ing there ard then, let the result be
what it might.
Don't 90, Millicent-just get" he
begged, laying his hand lightly on her
arm. There is question that must
BE settled. before we part Tomorrow
perhaps forever. Five minutes ago /
thought would have died ere | would
have confessed the truth, that love
your
Love me-a coquette?" she echoed
mockingly. "Oh, nu,you cannot know
what you are saying Mr.. Starr Please
let me pass"
"I don't believe you are one, Milli-
cent" he answered warmly; 'else l
should not have found you in tears,
DO you-can you love me? Don't trine
with me, Millicent, must have the
I truthW
And have the truth he did, but it was
drawn slowly and unwillingly from
those proud, defiant lips.
Il never meant to trihe with you, for
l loved you all the time" was what she
said at last. You inisjudged me shame
fully"
"And ali on account Of few idle
words chanced to hear" he added re-
morsefully "But it shall be the last
time, Millicent."
] And In this dav lie has faithfpltv kpnt