Wichita eagle., 1888-12-27


amusing, but, apparently, hopelessly indiHer
ent to himself. Tho consequences which en-
sued were those which be had least anticipatr
ed At seven-and-twenty, after five years
knocking about the world, be fell in love
over again with the girl who had captivated
him when just escaped from college. Real
love this time, and all the more intense be-
cause, humble and devote himself as he
might, her cool reserve was impenetrable.
Matters came to a crisis one day when he
was sitting beside her, little apart from the
talkative circle, where Nine. Paritoff
reigned supreme.
The band was playing an air which had
been a favorite with the Paritoffs in old
times, and to which a friend Of theirs had
set some words:
On dit, mon ange, je les sails bien
Que ramour change-Oh men cros rienl
So it began, finishing with the assertion:
L'amour qui change nest point ramourl
Basil had heard Anna sing it many a time in
those by-gone days, and somehow, at the
sound, his prudence was flung to the winds,
and almost before he knew what be was
doing, he bent forward and was declaring
his love. Anna just turned her eyes toward
him, without changing either her attitude Or
the expression Of her face-at first, that is to
say. As Basil, however, losing his head more
| and more in his excitement, proceeded to
aver that his love, though it had slumbered
for brief space. was nevertheless ardent
! and true, and had been reawakened at the
very sight Of her, a smile rippled over her
face, which presently gave way to a low
burst Of eostatic laughter.
''Pray excuse me-" she said, endeavoring
TO resume her gravity; Il really cannot help
tit Is such cornsdyl'
Basil looked at her reproachfully, his
handsome debonaire face clouded over a
sudden pallor replacing the customary warm
brown Of his complexion"
THAT there should be any talk Of love be-
tween us-now," pursued Anna, with an ir-
repressible quaver in her voice, and the cor
ners Of her mouth still dimpling with sup
pressed laughter. sit is too ridiculous, you
know"
"Why should it be ridiculous7" cried Basil,
goaded into passion. 'sYou loved me well
enough once"-
"Ah, oncep she interrupted, her eyes flash
ing for moment; then, quick to resume her
former languid amusement, 81 did many
things once that l should not care to do now;
wore short skirts, and played with a doll,
and trundled hoop--I have outgrown all
these enfantillages. you seeF"
swell, il the memory Of the past cannot
touch you, at least have right to be heard
at present." said Basil, In kind Of subdued
fury. "lf you-you seem to think that my
loye-our love of old-was but childs play,
ct least you must believe me when | say that,
on my honor, l did not believe myself capable
Of the passionate affection feel for you now
AZ know" he continued, with new found
humility, that my behavior to you was dis
graceful-unworthy Of a gentleman-but l
can only say that will never cease to regret
it; that If you will but forgive me, my whole
life will be passed In the endeavor to aSOne
for it. ] know you distrust me now, | nave
deserved it; but upon my soul, if you give me
another chance, you win find me a very diff
ferent person"
''You remind me-" said Anna, playfully,
''of the youth who wrote to the object Of his
affections that the feelings of man of
twenty were very different to those of a boy
of nineteen"
Gamma, do not trife with me any more,n
said Basil, his agitation increasing as his
hopes fell. Cannot you forget the past and
give me straightforward answer as between
man and woInanF Can you, will you love me
littleg'
She might have been touched by his hum
BILE, honest pleading, the intense love about
which, this time at least, there could be no
mistake, but she was not. He was under her
heel and she prepared to crush him.
"a straightforward answer as between
woman and manT she repeated, no shade Of
either hardness or triumph In her musical
voice Can love youa Let me see-can II
No, don't think can. When | analyze my
heart, Mr. Twickenham, l find, where you
are concerned, the most absolute indifference.
Now, shall we change the subjectp
Basil rose, white to the lips, but with a GER
tain dignity. Il will detain you no longer"
he said: 81 did not think any woman could
have shown herself so utterly heartless.
Good-by; you will never be troubled by me
again | shall leave this-this hate
full place at once"
bon voyagem returned Anna, with her
most winning smile and extending her
hand, which Basil, however, was too angry
to take.
$50 the old score is wiped out at lastl" she
said to herself, as she watched his retreating
figure, and then, joining her mothers circle,
entered with feverish eagerness into the con-
versation.
She was up and dressed by o'clock on the
following morning, having tossed about until
she could endure the feverish unrest no
longer. Spa-the Spa she acknowledged
was still wrapped In slumber, but the birds
were singing in the trees the sun was high
in the heavens, and the mi lcarts, with their
white capped drivers and teams Of dogs, were
jingling in the promenade below.
Il shall go out" said Anna, her English
education enabling her to undertake without
qualms what another girl in the same position
would consider a dreadful breach of pro-
prieties. Out she set accordingly, a fluffy
muller wrapped round her as preventative
against the morning air, and shady hat
tilted well over her eyes which bore unmis-
taxable signs of tears Added to the pain Of
old memories, the soreness left by the old
wrong, and, more unendurable than either,
was the egony of self reproach which had all
at once taken possession of her. But this she
was determined to subdue, and with charac-
teristic energy proceeded to take what she
considered the most efficient means Of doing
so. About half way UP certain wooded
hill in the neighborhood was rustic seat
placed at q sudden turn in the path SO as to be
almost invisible to the passers by; and here,
five years ago, she had taken leave Of Basil
The recollection of her own weakness and his
perfdy would be q wholesome subject for her
mornings meditation, and would effectually
remove the foolish regret at having inflicted
just punishment where IL had been SO well
deserved.
Her destination was soon reached, and,
throwing herself upon the bench, she set her
self about her appointed task. She would
not spare herself, Of that she was determined;
cha rrn-,lI L. h-ln nnr.