The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1888-06-14

Miss Laura Lovel as he led her across
the terrace, too much engrossed in his
task, it would seem, to notice Mollie or
her companion.
"oh, everybody flirts more or less at
a seaside hotel; one has nothing else to
do, you know" Mollie answered Lee
with little ripple Of laughter, and he
looked on the pretty face to which the
moonlight was so tender, his voice sink
ing almost to whisper as ho spoke to
her.
ut is cowardly pastims fora man."
he said softly, land for woman it is
cruel one"
Again she laughed, while arranging
the bracelet on her arm; touch of
mockery was in the ripping voice.
"And you-is it pleasant to know
that you are cruel and cowardlyl" she
questioned. "One is tempted to be-
come personal when such remarks come
from one who is said to count his con-
quests with cruel pride, and to whom
the world gives no higher aim than to
fascin inate-and remain careless Am l
too plainl Forgive me-"
az forgive you freely-as l would
forgive you all things, Miss Anness: but
neither you nor the world fully under
stands me. Imay seem trifer; but
were tho woman 1 love to love me in
return no smile would be to so sweet as
hers, no presence half so dear"
Mollie had been watching the couple
on the sands going slowly back and
forth, back and forth in the moonlight;
now she lifted her sweet young face
and looked at him with q sort Of won
dering pity.
s'Do we all wrong you, thenl" she
asked, gently. 'Have you failed in
your wooingl Can you not win where
you love2"
His face flushed little at her words,
and she, watching it, was struck by its
strength and beauty. How did it
chance that she had never noticed it
before2
81 am not left the chance to WOO or
win her," he said, slowly; "she is
another's promised wife,"
"Ah," she said, pityingly; and she
gave him her hand in asweet, womanly
sympathy, never for an instant connect
ing his words with herself. He lifted
the small hand reverently to his lips,
and drawing it through his arm turned
towards the beach. As he did so he
found himself facing Ned Tremaine and
Laura Lovcl, who were coming In from
the moonlight, ard he noticed that the
young mans face was quite white, while
there was half scornful smile on the
lips of the fair belle of the seaside. But
the two couples passed each other in
silence, tho one going down to the
stretch of tho glittering sand, the other
going in to the dancers.
A week later, and Mollie had just
come in from a long hour, peaceful and
calm, spent with Lee in a quiet nook
among the rocks that overhung thu
ocean. He had been reading to hel
there some of the sweetest poems giver
to the world by genius. Her heart had
thrilled as he read, and new, strang.
feelings had stirred it. When he CLOSED
the book he had looked up and found
her eyes filled with tears. And now il
her own room sho was asking herscl
how it was that what she had com
menced but for tho purpose of annoy
ing Ned had in one brief week slain al
her old resentment against Miss Love
and made her thoughts turn constantly
not to Ned Trem aine, who was her aft
anced husband, but to Lee Stone, VIII
was termed tho greatest flirt at tn
beach. What was changing in her life
When she now met Ned and Laura j
did not pain her as it used. Was it be
cause handsomer face, stronger ant
q nobler face than Ned's was CONSTANT
near, ready to turn to her with devo
|, ton, ready to light if she smiled2
Aservant broke her ponderings b
bringing her two messages - one
boquet of white flowers with q fe,
feathery sprays of fern among thei
whitcness and one crimson rose CLEAN
ing red from their centre, and in it wa
note from Lee asking her to 60 for
. drive with him by moonlight; the othe
was few angry lines from Ned, askin
if she remembered that she was be
; trothed to him while she allowed ever
gossip at the hotel to chatter of he
filtration with Lee Stone.
, II have been patient, waiting an oI
portunity of speaking to you," he wrote
"but you will not give me one, SO
write to ask you if you wish our er
. gagement broken; to all it would seer
so."
She trembled little a, she read, an
Q her sweet face changed color;. but sh
e went to her desk, drew from it ever
: letter he had ever sent her, formed
them and his ring ia package, an
, wrote him the following note:
q 1t was who first taught patience viii
: my existence was forgotten for one who VI
% what you bade me become-"a society char
: acter." Why should 1 fancy that you wis
= an interview with me of latei 1t is not
long since you could not spare moment f
y me from Miss Lowell Do wish our engag
ment brokenl Perhaps we both wish
70 Ned; at least let us break 1t, since
J. displease you. send you your letters al
It ring.
n Then, although choking sensatio
= was in her throat, she penned bril-
|, note to Lee:
Q 81 shall be pleased to go with you,