The Portland daily press., 1889-11-09


never mentioning your name. though, for you
are friend of mine, to-"
There is melting tenderness in Toddles'
Irish blue eyes as they meet hers.
~ hope shall always be that-and more"
A small smile is lurking around the corners
| of Mans mouth; she looks up at him darkly,
sweetly, then drops her eyelds as though to
veil her secret thoughts
Toddles' heart stands still and trembles.
Oil If they two had been alone in this hour
of their meeting, he might have summoned
courage to tell her of his love-cast the haz-
zard of bis die-and been rendered either
happy or miserable forever.
Dinner is long affair, and half the length
of the table separates Mr.. Chesney from
Nan. Toddles eats little, drinks little, and
is apparently lost in thought
''What was the matter with you during
dinner?" Nan asked Mr.. Chesney, when
they are seated side by side in the drawing
room later on.
Nothing"
"YOu looked S0-cr0Ss.'
"DidI What brute am, +" with sudden
conjunction. 81 was vexed because some
other fellow had the pleasure of taking you
in to dinner"
"Was that ALP" Didn't you like Miss
Robarts, then? Perhaps you had Better 60
and talk to her now, to make up for lost
time. Will you?"
"No, l won't " replies Toddles. in a flash
of obstinate humor "Unless you want to
get rid of me. Do you?"
Adevilsh spirit Of mischief enters the girl;
she turns her head away from him saying
in low voice: Even if l did ] should
hardly like to tell you So" Then, receiving
no answer to this speech, she looks around
to find the seat beside her vacated-and Tod
dies gone. He does not approach her again
during the evening. but stands aloof looking
the picture of dignfied misery. Nancy's
heart makes merry over this new conquest
of hers. Like many young women she is
cruel in the affairs of love. The suffering Of
an animal 10 pain would, at any time, wiring
tears from ner lovely eyes, while lovers
despair affords her only cruel pleasure.
For three days TOddles alternates between
hope and despair. Surely, if the girl loved
him she would be kinder; and, then, just as
he has made up his mind that his suit is
hopeless one, some little action or gesture of
Mans restores peace and confidence within
his breast.
This morning riding party had been ar
ranged, and Miss Hardness, Toddle and few
others are lingering in the great hall, await
ing the arrival of their ''goers." you will
permit me to be your escort this morning,
won't your" Toddles whispers hurriedly.
She looks up with mischievous smile.
"What! When there are two men to every
lddy?"
Toddles' face falls. Tomorrow is my
last day here. Please be kind to me-" he
urges; and in the after days Nancy often
recalls him, as he appeared that morning,
with terrible earnestness in his bright,
handsome face. pleading for her favor 81
will be kind to you Tomorrow" she says.
Toddles' smile is tinged with an almost
prophetic sadness. 'Why are you not kind
to-day? There is no time like the present,
Man," he declares.
''My motto is, There will be another day
tomorrow laughs Miss Hardness.
mot for all of us" is his rejoinder
Capt. R0barts!' calls the girl, 'come here,
want to look at some lively Mr.. Chesney
is in gloomy frame of mind"
Captain Robarts is not slow to respond to
this invitation; and, when the riding party
starts, he retains the advantage thus gained,
and his place is beside her.
Remember that you have promised to be
kind to me tomorrow" Toddles reminds
her, fighting resolutely with the despair her
conduct had inspired him with.
"Yes. 1 don't suppose l shall see much of
you tomorrow, for you will be riding in
three races
"Three-out of eight Not many" is his
reply.
"You are going to win them all. hope"
she cries sharply; 81 should never forgive
you if you did not"
"You-wa nt-me-to-win he exclaims
with a curious catch in his voice.
"Of course l do; you are riding Capt.
Robart's horses 7!
"Thank you for telling me your reason. l
might otherwise have been vain enough to
imagine that you were interested in my per-
sona success" Gilbert Chesney laughs
wildly. But he is deeply hurt, and the girl
knows it. Later Oh, when they were all bid
ding one another Good night" in the vesti-
bule, Nancy lays small hand on his coat
sleeve.
eff you win. Toddles, I'll give you yorr
pick of my programme at the dance in the
EVENING"
"If win-for Robarts. Thank you," he
says.
The heavens are kind today and shed
broad emile of sunshine over the Drayton
race course.
SIS steeplechasing very dangerous?" in
quired an ignorant fair one. ooh! 1 hope
nobody will be hurt today!"
Mr.. Chesney, with light covert-c0at
thrown over the gaudy colors he is wearing,
turns to speak to the girl. "Capt hobart
is not riding. do not be alarmed" he whispers
bending so close to her ear that the long fair
end of his mustache brushes her pale cheek.
"Toddles-oh, Toddles-I wish you were
not riding" she cries, ignoring the subject
of his remark.
His face softens. ''Dear little Nan. I'll
be very careful" AS the day wears on, Nan
is treasured. Toddles has won two races for
Capt. hobart and all goes merrilly as mar
rage bell.
81 say, old fellow, you must win this last
race for me. Pve backed Courtier for a
couple of thousand" exclaims Robarts.
'Tll do my best" Chesney promises him.
"Now l wish it was all overw cries Nan
waxing nervous again.
"Why, little woman, you are quite palev
Capt. Hardness declares.
'Good-by, Nan, must go now," says
Toddles.
She clings to his parting hand and glance
with an agony of apprehension. "Oh-good
Dy."
There is not a second to lose; he must leave
her. But in that second the girls secret, so
carefully, jealousy guarded, passes into
Toddle's safekeeping.
"Have they started?" inquiries Nan, pluck
ing at her cousins coat sleeve.
No, this is only preliminary canter"
What tall, strong horse he is riding"
Capt Hardness smiles at the revelation
contained in that poor little pronoun.
Blue and primrose are his colors; the girl.
cannot help thinking how we'll they become
MIN as he dashes past the spot where their
coach is drawn up
Toddles is ahead-he is winning easily,"
Capt. Hardness assures the anxious girl.
Yes, he is winning easily; and then of a
sudden, his horse swerving at the water
ha ic &aI a