Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1886-05-08
in very admirable manner" he said,

|
self-complacent father. ''Colonel," she
replied, "of all the men ever knew, you
are the most easily deceived. Cassia has
not accepted the situation; she has gone
round it, you may depend on that. If
she had accepted it she would never have
been so very pleasant about it. | dare
say she has met Herbert Rivcs some
where, and that she is meeting him every
day"
"Great heavens. Mrs. Bauvare! why
did you not suggest this view of the ca Sc
be.ore?"
because | have the ball on my mind
at present, and cannot possibly attend
to two things at once, and do justice
to both. Beside. / was afraid if told
you my suspicious, you might in some
way or other mismanage things"
1t was the day before the ball, and the
house was topsy-turvy. Cassia seemed
to be far too b lsy to meet any one that
day, and the colonel felt himself so far
relieved from duty that he went off for
a long ride over the estate. Thus it hap
pencd that, being detained several times
by the overscer, it was midafternoon
when he reached the little wood that was
Cassia's and llcrbcrt's trysting place. 81
will turn in there he said to himself,
'and have smoke, and perhapsa siesta
under the tire es."
The lovers could not see him, and they
were far too much occupied with their
own conversation to hear his approach.
Milly perceived the colonel first, and
made some Ruthless attempts to warn the
| al 10 hut Ilxr Of h
ing of their danger until the AIRY father
stood almost Lefore them.
His first feeling was that of compla-
ency at having found Cassia out; but his
second, one of intense anger at her. He
handed her her hat, which was lying on
the grass, and said, with severe polite
ness, Il presume Mr.. Rivcs is not aware
that he is trespassing; there is, however,
a notice on yonder tree to that effect
Oh, yes, he is, papa but he asked my
permission to trespass on you fora | tile
rest and shad :, and | gave him it." She
said the last word with an ominous flash
of light and co or in her eyes and cheeks.
Herbert apologized with frank polite
ness, and seemed determined to win at
least ceremonious courtesy from the
colonel He spoke of the weather, and
was answered with an affirmative bow;
and at last, being desperately determined
| to obtain an inv itatlOn to the ball, he
/ said, II hope you may have pleas mt
evening for your dance to morrow, col
onel"
The colonel stiflly said he hoped so.
/ 81 have not been invited" said Her
bert, with the charming straitforward
ness of youth. Il do wish that you
would ask mo, colonel
The colonel ''bel eyed Mrs. Bauvare's
list quite full, and after that there was
his horse and gallop away.
"Papa am ashamed of you" Those
were Cass;a's first words. 81 never
thought you could have been less than a
gentleman"
"Cassia, am ashamed of you. Inever
thought that You could have been less
than Il lady"
II never have been If you were
going to shoot man you would bow to
him, and treat him like gentleman.
II do not consider Hcrbet Rivcs a
gentleman
81 am sorry, for I am engaged to
him.
''Such nonsense
"And intend to marry him"
The colonel kept stern silence, and
only showed his extreme anger by the
passionate way in which he stru k down
the grasses and flowers with his stick.
The ball went off with great eclat, and,
in spite ofthe colonel, Herbert was pres
ent, not in the house. indeed, but in the
gardens and on the balcony after the
guests were gone; and Cassia had spoke n
to him dozen times-in fact, had ar
ranged with him the time and place of
the next meeting
For it was now trial between wise
old parents and pair of dauntless
young lovers, and the lovers got the best
of it. They met by night and they met
by day, and they never met twice in the
same place. 1t Vas impossible to detect
their me ssages, or lay any plan to prevent
their meeting. Every servant ON both
plantations was in their interest, and
they had safe and happy meetings in the
shut-up drawingroom and the cool sweet
dairy when Cononel Bauvare and Rivcs
senior were seeking their disobedicnt
children couple of miles away.
In the mean time troubles of many
kinds were gathering round both house
holds. Great political questions which
had little to do with love and lovers were
tearing every city home in twain.
'Thesc are times when even brave
man may honorably fly, but Cassia must
go with me, p" said Herbert to himself,
and an hour afterward he was saying the
same to Cassa.
81 dare not stay another day, beloved :;
if do, must betray my allegiance to
my country, or get into serious trouble
with my father and the people here. For
even father is urging me in this matter.
He is determined l shall compromise my
self, and if it comes to fighting, as | be-
licve it will, he will gladly send me away
in the hopes that it may forever separate
us. Darling, life would bevcry bare and
cold without you"
at will be death to me, Herbert; but
we can at least die together. Perhaps
over our graves they will know how
cruelty they have treated u.s."
"Dear CasSia, we want to live together,
not die together. | would rather call you
wife than have new Shakespeare write
a new play about us. A home is better
than mausoleum, sweet. Will you GO
with me?"
81 will go wherever you go, Herbert"
''Then farewell till morning. Meet
me at the north gate ut ) o'clock. We