The national leader., 1889-02-23
AN INTERESTING EPISODE.

ou0 OCooOA-J JuSG OOAOAo Gu0 AdoA1uu .
votaries said good-by to the fascina-
tions OF the opera and ball, and fed to
country haunts and ocean beaches.
Two genteel loungers who had
strolled in to look at the costumes now
sat in one Of the little alcoves that
opened upon the balcony, smoking
lnd chatting over their cigars.
where do you go2" said Henry.
To Brighton. And your"
Switzerland. think. Party of US
going; all the club; all save Standing" :"
And hep
Henry laughed.
He will not be induced to leave Eng
land. or the vicinity of London, this
summer he said. He's done for.
evidently
'Whatlyou don't mean he is in earn
est with the dashing RoselleP fancied
he was not SO far gone as that
i think he cares more for Roselle
than he is willing to confess, even to
himself. But he is off on new scent
now. There is lovely-wild rose of a
girl been visiting friends of his. She
is from Beechville. fifty miles away.
Her father has a superb country resi-
dence, and she is an only daughter. He
is invited up there for shooting and
fishing by her brother: It he goes,
farewell. Standing. The wlldrose Is
very fresh and very fair, and her par
ents know it. They know, too, that
Standing is as rich as a young Cr@sus,
and wonderfully susceptible for one of
his years and experience. feel sorry
for Roselle.'
BAIL sneered the other. you waste
your pity. Women Of her style do not
need it.n
You do RoseIle wrong said Henry.
'She is grossly misiudged by most peo-
pie. She is imrrudent, rash, even in
her conduct at times. but she is fine
girl. with heart which 1 bel ieved is
deeply touched just now. l believe
she loves Standing passionately.
You are very lenieRt in your judg-
ment for q man of as wider experience
as yours
Yes, perhaps so. My experience
makes me lenienT- Roselle excltes my
interest and pity. She always has. An
orphan-w1th money. beauty, dash,
spirits, wits. no caution, no adviser
she Hbecame social code to herself.
Yet nobody can lay finger upon one
wrong act in the girls life, and if
Standing would marry her, society
would accept her and make the best of
1t. I wish Standing would marry her,
but he hasn't the moral courage. I
taink he is going of to Beechville to
wean himself from her destinations.
Let US move on.
They moved on. and did not see the
figure Of a woman who had sat just
outside on the balcony. She had gone
out of the heated bali room to rest and
breathe the pure night air for a mo-
ment with her mask off.
She was of fine figure, which was
we'll displayed by her elegant costume.
Her rich. bronze hair fell In luxurious
freedom over her handsome shoulders,
her large, brown eyes were full of
unshed tears; her beautiful mouth
dropped at the corners, her white
hands had dropped the mask on her
lap. and were clasped convulsively upon
her bosom.
1t was Roselle.
She had neard all the conversation.
$50 he Is going to Beechville," she
said; land to her. We will see.'
Two weeks later tall young fellow,
In thin coat and straw hat, left his lug
gage to follow him, and, with a care
less glance at the group of loungers
loaGng about the little station, started
for the inn half mile distant on the
Great Northern, at Beechville.
He was perhaps twenty eight or
twenty-nine years old, beardless, brown
haired, dark-eyed, with handsome.
weak mouth, and an irresistible smile
and perfect teeth. 1t was Standing.
AS he walked leisurely along he
heard the clatter of horses hoofs.
Looking up, he saw handsome, high
spirited black horse, on whi h was
seated lady. in perfect-6tting rid
ing habit-a lady who reined in her
horse when she saw him, and leaned
forward with a bright smile and bow.
'Roselle, by iingop he cried, surprise.
pleasure, CONSERVATION, ali mingled in
his face and voice. Then he bounded
over the pasture fence and was at her
side in moment.
Are you not glad to see me?' she
asked, with one Of her bright smiles.
as she playfully touched his shoulder
with her riding whip.
'Gladp why. yes, of course! Always
glad to see you. you know, only its so
very sudden and unexpected"
''Oh. 1t was very suddenl" smiled