The Washington critic., 1888-02-25

Hale looked ahead OF him aDSently
for a moment and then brought his
eyes back TO the girlish face near
him.
"My last remembrance" he said,
slowly, "is at the Barnetts' ball; she
was looking very beautiful, and-it
was Just q week after she had broken
our engagement. Yes, she was very
lovely.p
"No doubt. And you were very
much in love, | suppose ?"
eyes 1t seemed to me as il things
in life were particularly hollow. Do
you remember all the nonsense /
talked to you that EVENING""
The girl smiled beautifully, for
there came across her happy con-
sciousness that he had made that
evening one of her radiant memories.
"You told me, remember" she
said, confidently, that it was very
foolish to start out in life with much
belief in human nature. But, do you
know, have never lost my faith,
and, curiously enough, have always
believed in you"
al ought to believe in myself,
then" the young man said, eagerly,
because / have always admired your
penetration. | have so often won
dered just what it was intended you
should be. / should hate to think Of
your making any mistakes"
Like yours, for instance, she said,
critically.
lie seemed q trihe annoyed. "Are
you engaged, thenp' he exclaimed.
She shook her head. "No; and yet
| am considering some one. It is
some one who has been a good friend
to me for years, and whom | admire
immensely"
81 admired Marion" he said,
quickly, "but let me assure you that
it was notwith very much founda-
tion. Do you remember my telling
you that evening how mistaken | was
in fancying that Il clever woman was
all that one needed in wife ?'
eyes. We were sitting up in the
studio"
"They were playing the Sweet
hearts Waltz you remember"
"Iou had Just been dancing with
Lady Alice Hopeton. / think you
admired her very much. And that
Nuo iliS iiSt SNchiiiS Il CNNl biibNBiiI
of what there was really to care
about in life. You seemed, with all
the cynicism you prlded yourself
upon, to understand what was really
vitally worth anything. That was
Just week before papa hired the
villa at Richmond"
"And two years before saw you
again"
"Ah, but, my friend" exclaimed
Portia, lowering her voice slightly,
as large, elderly woman, who
seemed to have lost her party,
drifted near them, "what days those
were Will you ever forget the
mornings on the river, or the old
inn, where we took tea when the
thunder-shower came up?"
"And the landlady mistook us for
bride and groom" he said, joy
ously.
II remember it all !" she went on,
"and | am glad to talk to you. about
it, because you remind me of the
man l ,am thinking of--accepting
and want you to tell me whether
everything you used to qsayrand do
in those days was. sincere"
Hale did not exactly relish being
compared to the man Miss Day was
contemplating marrying, but he said,
promptly enough. Whatever seemed
to be to you, you may be sure | was.
always felt happy enough with you
TO be natural and true TO the bet that
was in me. AS well as | remember,
, said everything to you that crossed
my mind. No woman ever had q
better opportunity of Judging of a
man"
She nodded her head brightly $50
supposed" !" she said, softly; "and |
judged youto be more in love than
You were aware OF"
81 believe" he said decidedly
"that | never really cared for Marion
Van Buren, at all. 1t she had not
Tilted Inc and married old SHELTON, /
would no doubt have married her and
been profoundly miserable"
Portia was thoughtful for q moment,
and then said: ~ am sure that you
were in love, but You did not under.
stand yourself. This man whom ]
am, as | told you, considering, has
been really in love with me q long
time, but he is clinging to an absurd
fancy of loyalty to another woman,
and, therefore, has never had exactly
the courage to speak. Aow have
thought great deal about him lately
and made up my mind to put him to
the test. Give me your advice
Would you consider it unwomanly on
my part if | were to take some means
of showing him--that l care fol
him ?"
"You are making things very diff
cult for me" said Hale, almost an
grily. "IIow am | to advise you tc
show another man that you love
him ?"
There was dead silence for an in
slant between the two. Miss Day
averted her face, and the objects il
the Red Room-the artistic furniture
the ferns and roses, the window with
its view beyond-all seemed to define
themselves with sudden clearness t,
her gaze, and long time afterwarC
it came over her just how, in tina
moment, Hale's face, full of ihtens'
repressed feeling, had appealed u
her, as every line Of his face, the fine
brow, dark eyes and strongly curveC
lips, were as well-known to her a
though she had been seeing then
daily for the past six months; but sh,
| viewed them at this moment by-th,
light of something different than sh'
had known before.
"We have Just ten minutes more q
remain,,I believe" !" the girl said, in
low voice, and laying one of he
hands gently on Hale's arm. Gre
member, you must find Marion. Sh
promised me ODE here by quarter o
one"
81 shall not look for her." sale
Hale.
Remember said Portia, quickly
"what You told me onee-that, il sh
were a widow, you could trust your
self to meet her, Wait; let us go int
| the Blue Room. and. if she is there