The national leader., 1889-02-23

through Standings brain.
To the average man Of the world,
spice Of abandon about woman he
knows to be good, is fascinating and
attractive. whatever the world may say
OF it. Standing was compelled to admit
to himself that he enjoyed the bright,
changing variety of Roselle's society
better than he did the unexplainable
sameness Of Lydia Hamilton's demea-
nor. And yet the world-the speech
of peoplel
One night he sat in the commercial
room of the inn, reading the paper. and
Hamilton sat at little distance, also
reading.
Two strangers, sDortsmen from Lon
don, were carrying on conversation.
Suddenly the attention of Standing was
called by their mentioning name.
Didn't l see that dashing Miss
Soners in the dining hall to-night2'
Yes was the reply; she is here
handsome. and faster than ever, I
should think. saw her smoking OIL
the balcony with a gentleman the other
night
There was dead silence after that.
Standing paled behind his newspa-
per, but did not stir. Then, with a
1.-the spring, like a young panther,
Hugh Hamilton stood before the last
speaker, saying in quiet voice:
"You have lied, and DETAINED a
friend of mine. Retract what you just
now said, or I will knock your teeth
down your throat
T-beg PARDON be said. Il didn't
suppose she was friend Of yours. I
only spoke in jest. on my honor.
Il would advise you not to make use
of lady's name in your jests here
after.' said Hamilton, as he turned
away.
The story of Hamllton's defence of
her name reached Roselle the next
day. 1t had spread over the inn, as
such news will, like wild-fre. The
next time she saw him alone she tried
to thank him, but the tears choked
her, and she covered her face with her
hands.
He took them both in his.
Il need no thanks he said, softly.
What man would not defend the
woman he lovedp 1 love you, Roselle.
Will you be my wifep"
And she wore his diamond solitaire
that very night.
Standing heard a chance reference
to the romantic ending Of the sensa-
tion the next day. A sudden sickness
seemed to seize him. He grew cold and
hot by turns, and was like a man be-
side himself. His heart and soul all
rallied and cried out against another
mans possessing this peerless creature,
who had been his, virtually, so long.
All, he would see her-he would talk
to her; he would tell her she must not
make this sacrifice. for sacrifice 1t
was.
'Roselle's romantic he said, 'and
thinks she must give herself to repay
this man for his defence of her. But it
must not be. have been blInd-mad
to let 1t go so far
1t was hours before he could see her
alone. Then he drew her into an al
cove.
'Roselle, he cried, a fire in his dark
eyes she had never seen there before
'Roselle. what do hearp Are you be-
trothed to Hamilton2-promised to be
his wifep"
YES, she said. softly.
He seized her hand.
why did you do itp' he cried. Did
you not know I loved you-had loved
you for a long timer You are sacri-
fcing yourself to a romantic idea,
Roselle. In marrying Hamilton. 1t
must not be, say
She drew her hands away and looked
him full in the eyes.
st must be- she said. Il am not
sacrificing myself to any idea. am
going to marry Hugh Hamilton be-
cause love him.
He heard herw ith a sharper pain In
his soul than he had ever supposed it
was possible for him to suffer.
| 81 had dreamed-I had fancied-"
he began, and paused.
Yes, / know she said. Il had
dreamed, too-dreamed that you could
make me into anything high, true and
noble that you desired; but you did not
try, and began to study you-after-
wards to compare you with Hugh
Hamilton, and found him so much
nobler, that all my heart had gone to
him. / have been a motherless girl,
Standing, all my life-gay, spirited,
passionate, but 1 always knew that a
loving hand could lead me to any alti.
tude. l have been praised, admired,
fattered, censured, slandered, and it
all has made me reckless. Now am
loved, and by that love mean to grow
to all womanly grace and worth
But loved you, Rosellel' he cried,
his selfish heart in q wild passion of