The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1890-06-01

with glass of champagne before he ventured
on another dance. So he made his way down
stairs to the room where refreshments were be-
ing served. When he entered it he found it oc-
cupied by only two other men, Sir Rupert Ham
ilton and his bosom ally, Jack Morris, who, as
ill.luck would have it, sat drinking champagne
with their backs to the door, and did not see
him come in.
~ say, Rupert" Jack Morris was remarlslng
in his mellow, jovial voice, "if you mean to
make up to either of your cousins why not
choose the younger one? She is a pretty girl,
at any rate"
"My dear Jack" the baronet replied ''you
know nothing about it. Lottie is a pretty girl,
but when you've said that for her you've said
all. Whereas Alice is devilsh fascinating, not
beautiful, admit but with plenty in her-wit,
sentiment, and all that Besides, what is
beauty worth? Damn it, my dear fellow, you
can get plenty of it in opera-dancers and ballet
girls''
Talking of opera-dancers," answered Jack,
with laugh "have you heard how that fellow
Waters has been boasting of the manner in
which he cut you out with little vi Sainsbury,
of the Jollity?'
''Has he ?' the other said, carelessly. "Well,
l can afford to despise his boasting. The fact
is, that l was devilish tired of hanging about
after the woman, and was only too glad Of the
opportunity ofsplittng with her, which Waters's
appearance on the scene gave me-"
"He doesn't regard it in that Light Jack re-
turned. "He brags like anything of having
worsted in an dtaire du cosur one Of the smart
And, say" with sly wink,) "take care he
doesn't cut you out with Alice Fisher also. l
saw him making play with her tonight, and l
believe that, even if he didn't care for her iot,
| he'd marry her for the mere glory of oustng
! you"
Sir Rupert laughed scornfully. 81 am not
much afraid" he said, "of being cut out by that
over-drcssed monkey. Cad if thought Alice
| preferred the creature to me, | should be in
clined to go and hang myself ~
"Ee is somewhat of cad, certainly" as
sented Jack Morris, emphatically 'and to be
defeated in love affair by such fellow would
be an ndelble disgrace !"
'It is disgrace which do not mean to in
cur" the baronet said, lightly. 'But come,
Jack, we've done enough in the light refresh
ment line Let us now turn to the scene Of
action ~
They rose from their seats, and, turning
round, found themselves face to face with Leon
ard Waters, who had heard every word Of the
above dialogue An angry flush suffused his
face, and he was biting his lip to keep back the
wrathful words which his rage prompted him
! to utter.
Morris, who was good-natured man in his
way, started, and betrayed some confusion, as
drew himself up to his full height and walked
by the insulted one with stony stare of con-
tempt, which was infinitely CALLING to the young
fellows lacerated feelings. A hundred wild
plans of revenge darted through his excited
brain. He was even half-mnded to follow Sir
Rupert at once to the ballroom, and there pub
licly demand an apology. But as he grew
calmer he reflected that such conduct on his
part would probably result in his expulsion
from polite society," in which his status was still
unsecured; and also that to take notice of re-
marks accidentally overheard would not be a
course of action likely to bring him in much
credit.
Yet he was burning for revenge, and he qcould
have it, too! But how? There was nothing
for it but to await such opportunity as
chance might afford.
Having thus resolved, and recovered to a GER
tain extent his outward composure, he went
back to the ballroom.
Few fashionable balls and parties occurred
during the ensuing weeks from which young
Waters was absent, and at most Of them, as was
likely, he met Sir Rupert Hamilton. But he
avoided all exhibition of open hostility to the
baronet, who, for his part, treated the tailors
son with dignifed contempt
However, it soon became apparent that there
was every prospect of collision between the
two men in the near future arising out of the
fact that Leonard Waters began to show Alice
Fisher rather marked attentions, and that the
young lady, in spite of her mothers displeasure
and her cousins sulky frowns, did not altogether
repel them.
When things are in this state, and a girl be-
gins to play off one suitor against another, it
needs very little to bring matters to a climax.
In the present instance the climax came
about in the following manner: 1t was at Mrs.
Stanley Hunts most successful ball, in Gros-
venor Place, and toward the end of the evening,
InaU Leonard w alers came up, anu klOr Ine
fourth time that night) asked Miss Fisher to
give him a dance. Sir Rupert Hamilton,
whether by chance or design, chose the same
moment to make the same request, and, as
neither of the gentlemen showed the least dispo-
siton to retire in favor Of the other, Alice was
left the somewhat nvdous task of choosing
between them.
Now had her mother been by, the young lady
would only have ventured to make one choice
but she took advantage of Lady Fishers absence
at supper to exercise q little cOQuetry.
~ feel highly tiattered,' she said, ''to think
that / am so much in demand. But | cannot
dance with two gentlemen at once-can
Now, Rupert, feel sure that you have only
asked me because am your cousin and you
wish to do your duty by me. Besides, we sec
so Uery much of one another-don't we? So
think" with quick little glance at the
tailors SOM 'that must decide in yOltr favor
. Mr.. Waters ~
The baronet said nothing-as, indeed, how
could he? But he drew back with angry
scowl on his face, and turned on his heel
muttering something about ID puppy" in {
: very audible aside.
When the dance was over, Waters, noticing
that his partner appeared rather pale and ia
tigued, offered to procure her some refresh
: ment.
) She declined, but suggested that they should
seek some cool refuge, as the ballroom was $50
, dreadfully hot ~
"Where shall it be, then ?" he asked.
'That looks nice and cool, she answered
pointing to conservatory, which opened ou
of the ballroom. "Let us try that ~
Accordingly they made their way to the re
treat in question, and found two empty seat
behind the shelter of huge cactus. Alice wa
, strangely preoccupied, and, as Leonard Water
| was poor hand at conversation, unless his at
tempts were we'll responded to by his compan
| ion, they sat for some time in silence.