Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1888-12-06


indeed gone through two triumphant sea-
sons and had rejected numerous offers.
Deb was decidedly flirt; but she had al
ways told Jack Of her conquests, and, 50
long as she could speak openly of them,
he did not think there could be much
harm done. Felicia never flirted, but men
pleaded for her hand just the same, and in
vain, for she refused every one in her calm
sweet way
One afternoon, during their second sea-
son in town both the girls happened to be
at homes rare occurrence, owing to their
numerous engagements-and they We're
making the most of their leisure.
Felicia was leaning back idly in COM
Portable armchair by the open window
overlooking the park, opposite to which
Mrs Brooke's house was situated; her
hands were folded listlessiy in her lap,
while her thoughts were miles away from
London and its busy inhabitants.
Deb was lying on the sofa pretending to
read; but, as her book was upside-down,
she was evidently not very deeply utter
ested in IT, Presently she broke the sill
ence, which must have lasted for several
minutes
"Felicia, are You not glad that we re-
fused Lady Lawns garden-party this af-
ternoon? ! declare it is quite delightful
to get few hours to ourselfp'
ut Is indeed, assented Felicia, languid
", with hall-closed eyes.
mot that / have any right 10 be loung
ing here, for / owe at least half dozer
letters, continued the young sister.
Deb have you answered Jacks last
letter yeti"
''Non
"And you wrote only a few lines last
time"
Il could not help i'll had no time"
There was a rather uncomfortable sill
euce for a few minutes. and then Felicia
resumed the conversation by saying
''Do you know that Captain Wyatt has
been here every day this week, and that
he is coming with US TO the Opera to-
night"
"Well?" inquired Deb, holding her book
so that it concealed her face from Felicia's
view
"He does not come to see me OF aunt
Catherine"
81 suppose you mean that THAT l am
flirting with Captain WYATT" said Deb,
in strangely unnatural tone 81 might
make the same remark to you pr0p0S of
another person. Colonel Wolverton has
also been here nearly everyday this week
or we have met him out~-and he is coming
with us to the opera tonight. He certain
ly does not come to see me. If you tlirt
with Colonel Wolverton, why should not
flirt with Captain Wyatt?n
Deb never thought that you would
accuse me of flirting. / never flirted with
anyone in my life" Felicia paused for a
minute, and then went on, in IA low voice.
Last season Colonel WolYertOn proposed
to me, and refused him point blank. /
told himn--with an effort-"that had no
intention of marrying him or anyone else.
He would not take NO for an answer; he
said as long as | was free he should hope,
and it was of no use for me to tell him, as
l did over and over again, that his atten-
tons were wasted / should never have
mentioned this, only | did not want you
to think had behaved so badly. But, af.
ter all, Deb even If / had firted, you for.
get that am free"
ooh, tits well known that Captain Wyatt
is one of the greatest fiirts in LondonP'
said Deb, with mirthless laugh. He is
not likely to come to HARM
Captain Wyatt, l know" Felicia ac-
guessed, lis acknowledged to be n ire
mendous flirt; but the greatest flirts are
not invulnerable. Captain Wyatt has
never treated you as he treats other wo-
men. He loves you; and, when man OF
his nature loves"
81 really cannot see what you should
know about the state of Captain Wyatt's
heart broke in Deb, in rather an unsteady
voice.
Deb my dear, please do not think that
/ watch you or try to pry into your affairs,
for indeed do nothing Of the kind; but
one cannot help seeing what 70 going OF,
sometimes; and last night, when aunt
Catherine and | were waiting for you to
finish that waltz, you passed us, dancing
rather slowly because of the crush. You
said something TO him--I do not know
what; but it seemed to me that he looked
at you in way that l have never seen
him look at any other woman-as man
never does look at woman unless he
really cares for her. Deb dear-l hate
saying this TO you, but no one else viii say
it, do not think you are behaving honor
ably TO Jack or TO Captain Wyatt If you
only knew the misery you may be bring
ing upon both yourself and them"
Felicia stopped abruptly, for Deb's book
had fallen to the ground with crash, and
Deb herself, with her face hidden in the
sofa cushions, was sobhing as if her heart
would break The elder sister rushed to
the soft, surprised and distressed beyond
measure,
"My dear Deb, what Is the matter?" she
exclaimed. "Oh, don't cry like thatl |
never meant to make you so miserable,
Cheer up. my petit dare say it is all my
stupid Imagination
''No, it is not, " sobbed Deb; 'ald am
the most miserable girl in the world-for
love Dick W yatt with all my heart and
SOUL do, l worship the 6 ouud he walks
ON! Oh, it was cruel 10 let me engage my
self to Jack when | was SO young! | was
mere child what did know about love'
Jack ought never TO have LET me bind my
self to him.
Felicia stood still, bowilIcred, unable to
utter a word
II tried To tell Dick last night of my en-
cncemcut. continued Deb; "aud, when It
came to the point, the words seemed 10
stick in my throat--l could not utter
them. lie almost told mo that he cared