The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-07-21

was on The piazza when they returned
and he was certain Mona saw him.
though she kept her eyes on Jacks lace
and pretended the greatest interest IN his
foolish conversation; for OF two things
Philip was certain-first, that her interest
was pretended, and, second, that Jacks
conversation WIS foolish.
Then he felt unaccountably, and as he
knew. ~unreasonably chilled by the greet
ing of the splendidly dressed Mona, who
calmly and nonchalantly extended the
tips Of her gloved fingers to him, drawl-
ing out the while a pretty little assur-
ance Of being 80 glad TO see Mr.. Hays"
with the information that Cecil had
been expecting him since the carly MORN
ing train"
~Cecile.. he said, eproachfully-
And o too. Nona?"
@Oh dear, no. Mr.. HAYS. 1t Is quite
too exhausting To expect anything. One
at a time IL quite sufficient"
Philip WAS shocked and silenoed for
the time. For one distressing half-hour
he tried TO assume his rights as her be-
tnothed, but she kept Jack Christie per
sisrently between them; and 80, angry
and hurt he sought his sister Cecile.
"Cecile," he said, "what a change
there is in Mona What is the cause?"
A wonderful change. ! saw a
girl improve 80 rapidly. / suppose yoa
are the cause, DO YOU know that she is
really he bedef Jack Christie and Ell.
Forsythe and half Il dozen Others are
nying about her. Positively they are
Phil"
Very kind Of them, but
"Well, 80 il is, YOU know. Very tinst
families, and all that kind OF thing you
know. Upon my word, brother, | believe
Mona will make a sensation next winter.
Mamma Is quite satisfied now"
But Philip was not. No, not at all.
Very far from it. That night at the hop
Mona looked lovely and grand enough
for a queen, her golden hair arranged in
some picturesque style, which Jack Chris
tie audibly declared To be just the thing"
wards Of satin and lace making Il track of
glory behind her, and gold and jewels
flashing from her head, her throat and
her wrists.
All in vain, however, Philip pleaded
for a dance. Mona had been engaged for
every set since breakfast, and she remind
ed him rather maliciously of the necessi-
ty of conforming Ia the usag.s Of society.
10 lac had the satisfaction Of watching
the social triumph Of the future Mrs.
HAYS.
Three miserable days OF continual dis
appointment and then Philip determin-
ed to 20 back 10 New York, and see Mona
no more until she returned TO her country
home.
He babe his mother and Cecil good
bye, and gave the regulation kissto Mona,
who received it with perfect placidity and
many kind wishes for his pleasant jour
ney; for, as he was to leave very early in
the morning, the ladies did not expect TO
see him again before his departure.
As they passed out of the parlors Mona
turned a moment, and q flash of the old
tenderness made her face beautiful, her
lips parted and She hesitated a moment
as if she would speak, but finally passed
ON and away.
Poor Philip He took his cigar and
SAT down on the dark, silent balcony,
miserable enough hut in about half an
hour a timid little figure stole through the
deserted ROOM, and without warning laid
her hand upon his shoulder. He turned
rapidly, all the great passion, which had
grown TO deeper intensity in his suffering,
bursting out in one imploring whisper of
Mona !"
Phillip"
Wei, YOU know the end. Philip did
not like the fashionable Mona at all his
whole heart cried out for the sweet. nat
ural girl that he had never priced enough
till he believed her gone forever. The
tangled curls, the short dresses, even the
little ruffled aprons, never more looked
homely in his eyes.
Ever afterward he had the most whole
some fear of Mona turning fashionable;
and she to this day, when Philip Is in the
" opposition" reminds him of his one X
pertinent in managing women, and AS
sures him that in the long run he would
not like his own way if he got il, and -
he takes hers, which, after all, | have no
doubt is the most sensible thing he can
j IL, -Htr.ass WasfJy