The Southern herald., 1886-07-31

mingled with Kisses and compl ments,
was said, but nothing in it deceived the
wounded woman's heart. For Mona,
though not fashionable woman, was q
true woman, nevertheless, and under
stood not only what had been said, but
also all thatha been left to beinferred.
1t was not possible for him to leave his
business entirely, but it had been ar
ranged that once month he was to
pay few days visit to the springs,
and in the intervals be refreshed and
comforted by regular and plentiful sup
plies of letters.
The supply was pretty fair the first
week, but fell off gradually, until sew
eral days passed without any token Of
Nona'S faith and memory. Still, he
did notfeel much troubled. He thought
that he quite understood Nona's rea-
sons, and at any rate he relied with
implicit confidence on the effect which
Philip Hays in his own proper person
could not fail to make.
This confidence did not agree with
events. He arrived at the springs and
found Mona out driving with Jack
Christie-a young man whom he par
ticularly disliked for his pretentious
manners. He was on the piazza when
they returned, and he was certain
Mona saw him, though she kept her
eyes on jacks face, and pretended the
greatest interest in his foolish CONVEX
sation; for of two things Philip was
certain-frst, that her interest was
pretended" and second, that Jacks
conversation was "foolish." Then he
felt unaccountably and, as he very well
knew, unreasonably chilled by the
greeting of the splendidly dressed
Mona, who calmly and nonchalantly
extended the tips of her gloved fingers
to him, drawling out the while pretty
little assurance of being $50 glad to
see Mr.. Hays" with the information
that "Cecile had been expecting him
since the early morning train"
"Ceciler' he said, reproachfully.
"And you too, Nonap"
"0h dear no, Mr.. Hays. 1t is quite
too, exhausting to expect any thing.
One at time is quite sufficient.
Philip was shocked and silenced for
the time. For one distressing half
hour he tried to assume his rights as
her betrothed. but she kept Jack
Christie persistently between them;
and so, angry and hurt he sought his
sister Cecile.
"Cecile," he said, "what a change
there is in Mona! What is the causeP"
"a wonderful change! 1 never saw
a girl improve SO rapidly. l suppose
you are the cause. Do you know that
she is really the belle? Jack Christie
and Ed Forsyth and half a dozen
others are raving about her. Positive
ly they are, Phi"
Every kind of them, but"
"Well, SO it is, you know, Very
first families, and all that kind of thing,
you know. Upon my word, brother, l
believe Mona will make a sensation
next winter. Mammals quite satished
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 Christie audibly declared
to be 'just the thing" yards of satin
and lace making track of glory be-
hind 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 reminded him rather malicious
ly of the necessity of conforming to the
usages of society. So he had the salts
faction of watching the social triumph
of the future Mrs. Hayes.
Three miserable days of continual
and then Philip de-
termined to go back to New York, and
see Mona no more until she returned to
her country home. He bade his mother
and Cecile goodbye, and gave thereg-
ulation kiss to Mona, who received it
with perfect placidity and many kind
wishes for his pleasant journey; for, as
he was to leave very early in the morn
ing, the ladies did not expect to see
him again before his departure. As
they passed out of the parlors Mona
turned a moment, and flash of the
Did tenderness made her face beautiful,
ner lips parted, and she hesitated mo-
nent as Il she would speak, but finally
passed on and away.
Poor Philipl He took his cigar and
'st down on the dark, silent balcony,
miserable enough; but in about half an
lour tinid little figure stole through
he deserted room, and without warn
ng laid her hand upon his shoulder.