Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-07-11

fancied Marjorie would Ike 10 tnlnK ne< 90.
 "I know" Miss Castillain answered, a look of strange weariness crossing her face just for an instant "h he sad; what he has said before tonight, that he de- sn,ses a hirt: he never even uses the less-despicable French word. Lima, do you hate fiirt?"
 "A real one? Yes," replied Lima, hesitating over the truthful word.
 "A real one 2! echoed Marjorie, with her bright, low laugh. "Oh doesn't that show the narrowness of the English language? A fiirt is a hirt, Lima; de- fined, a contemptible specimen of highty womanhood. Oh ! isn't English small language?"
 1T dislike the French word much more," said Lima, gravely.
 ''So do l." was the quick reply. "I hate all words that express it, if there are more than than those two, which l hope there is rot"
 "And yet"
 "Yes-and get" interrupted Mar jorie, with a quick, gentle touch on Lina's arm, "that's all. Don't finish the sentence, my little, grave and dear rebuker."
 Just then Col. Stuart returned to claim Marjorie for the approaching dance. She turned to meet his eyes, her own very demure.
 "I have changed my mind" she said.' naively. "You have been fiirting," and, by the slight stress she laid upon been rebuking her "and it's not at all right, Col. Stuart, because you know you are engaged to Lady Helen Bur- ton"
 Col. Stuart laughed out frankly, but her eyes never lost their look of serious reproach.
 "That is said on good authority" she went on, in cool explanation. "Indeed, I believe that good authority itself told it to Mir. Jeffrey, who told it to me. And so, being engaged, Col. Stuart" she concluded, her merry lips set sol- emnly, Git is not honorable in you to behave as you do-especially to the dow agers.
 :" You have given me the right tospeak to you now, Miss Marjorie" said the Colonel, with c gentle gravity, which had no veStige of sternness in iG. :fl may ask if 1t Is right for you, being engaged, to behave as you do-except to the dowagers ?"
 The bot blood darted across the girls face, and rash, proud words passed her lips, words which were no sooner ut- terered than they were repented of bit terly. But they were uttered, and what availed the repentance
 "If-if could only take his words as l take those of other people p she thought, her heart heating fast ip her self-anger and her pain. "H only could, and did not rise up with every power possess to vex and thwart him It is always to do me good that he speaks. But, then-but, then, that's the very reason it's so hard to bear. What business has Le tQ try to do mo good? What difference will it make in his life whether I'm good or bad? And what right has he always to be the one to remind me of my duty toward Neil I know shall tell him some day that it is he who has made me hate Neil---by his very mention of him."
 "Miss Marjorie'--Col. Stuart's was the voice that broke in upon that passionate thought-"f from such a speech I judge that the fulfillment of your promise to dance with me would be a drawback to your pleasure; so I will leave you free"
 She bowed wi!h a smile upon her lips, and he left her. Then Lima saw how hurt and pained she was. ''It is always the same," she said, im- | petuously, as Lima laid her gentle little hand on the restless fingers upon which Marjorie leaned at the end of the couch. "Dop't look at me, dear; feel little idiotic-iust as if some one had put me into dark room to unravel tangled skein of cobwebs. Don't laugh. What l does it mean-vou know-about seeing only a straight staff bent in pool?'"
 "That out of the pool, Miss Castillain, | if we look---N
 But Lima broke off here, for Eustace Jeffrey had joined them, and was earn estly begging Marjorie to dance with | him.
 "I was engaged for this dance," she answered, absently, "but am not now, may as well dance it with you as with any one."
 Her assent, almost unconscious though it was, astonished Lima, but it astonished MT. Jeffrey still more. His eyes flashed exuitingly as she took his arm; and Li- ma, watching his face as he proudly led her off, actually trembled to see how her smile could change him.
 Col. Stuart looked after them as they passed to their places, but he sought no partner himself for this dance, which had been Marjorie's promised one.
 Sir Neil Athelston had been watching for his opportunity, and as soon as Lima was left he sauntered to her; sauntered with as deliberate step as if his heart beats had been deliberate, too.
 "Jtis only those slow old Lancers next, Miss Chester" he said; "I will take nc | 6aDio1 for that dance g
 "I cannot, Sir Neil," she answered.. her eyes almost piteous as she tried tc make her refusal easy and natural. "Other ladies will sit, and so.I I would rather not dance"
 "Confound it l" he cried, in his hot impetience, "why must other ladies' sit ting a dance prevent your joining in it Are you to be left out all the evening Some ladies must sit out now and then, ns there are fewer gentlemen than ladies here. Marjorie says there always are, he added, with his gay laugh, "and that nature ought to thin the ladies, as gar dener does his stocks. But think ma