The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-11-03

rccnc meaningly. with his eyes fixed
steadily upon his opponent.
son. bnt duel under such conditions
that cannot be out Of fashion, MS ~
has never vet come in. why no, SET ~
BE leader of ~ And tete tc,e WIN WIN
Miss GREY. even under -uef e1ri,ooal III
cumstance-, might not be ni'osc'"e'
| without its charm.
lie throws out this last taunt qui'c
airily-making even slight movement OF
the hand that somehow adds 10 the az
gressiyc impertinence Of IT,
Massarecnc throws up his head. ~
though scenting battle, and his lace
palcs. Millicent, marking these signs OF
coming storm, enters the breach hastily.
81 dothink, Grant, she says. glanting
insolcntly NJ her cousin from beneath
hals closed lids, "thnt when You try 10
be amusing you are the most unpardon-
ably stupid person | ever met Nonr
Jokes always make me feel inclined TO
weep
uin this instances' demands he
quickly. his face darkening and on evil
light coming into his eyes.
"And in every other. One yawns
enough in all conscience as one goes
through life without being compelled TO
do il by those who would fain believe
they stir our laughter. Give IL up, my
dear Grant: comedy IL beyond you--thc
heavy business suits you better.
A glance mt her cousin cOnvinces her
that she has amply revenged herself. His
brow is as black rs midnight, and his
mouth has taken the old expression that
means mischief Massareenc. too, has
added 10 his discontinue by breaking
irto gay laugh, that rouscs Mrs Brand
from her perusal Of a review, as scurril-
Gus as IL is Just, OF n book written by n
friend Of hers. that she finds OF engrOss-
ing interest-the review, that il, not the
| book.
What is it, asks she, looking up ia
high good humor. Really, the review
has quite exceeded her expectations. "lf
il is anything amusing pray let me hear
il. ] have been so put out by very
harsh criticism on dear Fanny EllwoOd's
novel that | require something 10 cheer
me. Some little Jest Of yours, Granity
Come, tell it to me, though must say,
my dear, You look more like an OthellO
this moment than one born in n merry
hour Al. here comes tea at last, Just
move my chair little, will YOU Thanks,
dear Grant | am fast becoming an old
woman, chY'
Grant is in just such pleasant mood
az urges him TO tell her she is already
amongst the frOsts and SHOWS Of life: but
prudcncc-a feeling more powerful with
him 'han most Othcrs-restrains him.
He is obliged, however, 10 move her
chair into the exact position pointed out,
and TO perform divers other small ser
vices for her with smiling face and ap-
parently willing air, while grinding
under the thought that he is leaving the
other two free to carry ON low CONVEX
.sation uninterrupted.
GLOW angry you were about Grants
innuendo Just now whispers she.
drawing her skirtsasidc that he may drop
upon the low lounge beside her. "YOu
need not have been. Did You think |
never heard Of that one little fasco Of
yours, chY'
She leans toward him and smiles lit
tie. The young man starts and colors
holly. Yet her smile Is so sweet. so Kind
never has her manner been so repletc
with gertleness as now.
You knew-you heardN-stammers
he
why. yes. Was it such a mighty Sc
crct such a1 awful crime' Did you
think could not condsae-forgives'
She IS still smiling on him, her beaHti
fnl eyes rivetcd upon his. Massarccne' S
heart is beating passionately He feels as
if he can scarcely brcathe-and yet he IS
breathing more freely than he has done
for long time. now that he knows she
knows. and that after all she can tolerate
him. Nay, it is surely more than tolera-
ton
"You are nm angel, - murmurs he in
turn. OH the rapture of this whispered
conversation The knowledge that they
arc-if not in body, at least in spirit
alone, "But il was my one oiIense.
pray YOU To believe that! Aftcrward
met YOU. And then-thcn IL would have
been impossible
Her color pales slightly as she looks
into the loving ewes bent on hers. lie
has put out his hand in his earnestness
and laid il upon hers-a strong hand,
slightly Drowned as man : should De
and very handsome. Somehow the
..:ength of it appeals to her. l'lts owner
ike it-frm, resolute; lie has at oil
events. been almost Obstinatcly persist
4 ent in his cOurtship, clingiag TO hope
when there was none TO be seen any
where. and stcadfastly adhcring TO the be
lief that "all things come 10 him VINO
knows how to wait 80 lie is waiting SUI
though small chance Of reward seems
to be his.
There she says, rallying with al
effort. and compelling herself to meet M
gaze, "you are pardoncd, If pardon
what you want
IL want more than that" says Mr.
Massareene. who, having gained wha
he had not dared to hope for half an hou
ago. now desires more. II want '--
"Of that another day" interrupts sh'
playfully when viii You learn TO ID
wise. Gerald"
"When | marry you, my sweet Min
crva.n
"That will be never, then, gTeatl
doubt me. "
"Still. there is doubt, you see"
"To talk like this TO me is waste
time
"To talk to you could never be vast
Of time"
"Not if you talk sensibly.
And sure what can he more sensibl
than 10 tell You that | love youf' say
the lrishman: unless il would be you
saying that you will take me for you
husbands'
THAT would mean throwing up friend
and fortune
e"Just So Then do il, says he.
What is to be done with man lik
thisy Millicent signs. He is nearer vic
tory at this moment than be knows him
self to he Miss Grey. glancing involun
tarily at Grant, and then back again
him. mentally comes to the conolusio
that any hope Of happiness for her lies j
an immediate surrender of all ties ina
bind her to the former. But auntie, an
Uncle Timothy, and the world in gen
craly
Dear Gerald ! wish You would no
speak 10 me like this, - she says softly
"You must know how useless II Is.
IL never knew had nice name unit
heard you say il, g" says thelrrepressibl
Gerald, taking no notice of The substanc
Of her speech. 1t sounds like music
I'm awfully glad my mother christene