Los Angeles herald., 1890-12-20

when vision of Berry in the doorway
checked her. She had returned unper-
ceived and stood half hesitating mo-
ment. Then she advanced slowly, the
soft white train of her dress rustling in
her wake, her face crimson, her eyes
flashing, and in spite of her anger sus-
picion of tears.
II wouldn't take thousand pounds
for the hair I'm wearing today, Mr.
Lewis!' she answered.
And she was scarcely coquette enough
to hide the pain in her voice.
Fred flushed hotly, and he would have
given almost anything to be able tore
call his words.
He rose to his feet and bowling said:
"Miss Berenice, humbly beg your par
don for my i'll natured remark. | only
made it to tease Nora, for of course l
had no idea"-
Apologize to Nora, then, not me-"
she answered quickly, and turning left
the room.
She crept away by herself and sat
down, feeling, in spite Of her efforts to
conquer the sensation. hurt and sore at
heart. 1t was noth' .. she told herself;
she surely didn't G. what Mr.. Lewis
thought about her, OF said, either. And
then came sigh as she thought he did
not care for her, or he could never have
ridiculed her in any way, even to his
sister.
And then, though she was not vain,
she had always looked upon her hair as
a sacred birthright bestowed by her
dead mother, and had ever associated
the beautiful constellation "Berenice"
with thoughts of her mother in heaven;
a childish fancy. but it had clung to her
as childish fancies will cling to us all.
That night, before retiring, she braided
her hair in two long braids, and in the
morning she combed it out and left 1t
flowing, only drawn away from her
forehead, and banded by blue ribbon.
The braiding had made it wavy, and
it fell in bright, heavy, golden ripples,
like mantel of "cloth Of gold," far be-
low her waist. Fred smiled, half tri-
umphantly, when he saw it.
81 didn't dream she cared so much for
me-" he thought.
Berry observed his peculiar smile, and
the wrath appeared on her cheeks.
Il wonder if I'm wearing my heart
upon my sleeve?" she asked herself. And
then she told herself, in little comfort
ing whisper-"Wait."
Not long afterward Fred sat down to
the table and began writing letters
Presently Berry came flying into the
room.
Moral" she called in the softest little
voice in the world, whirling around on
one foot, and carelessly tossing aside her
long hair with her hand. Out flew the
bright golden ripples, and Fred's pen
went spinning along the carpet.
"Oh, pardon me!' she cried. MY
new wig is little troublesome to man.
age, yet I've no doubt but that shall
become accustomed to it in time," and
away she sped, leaving Fred to pick up
his pen and resume his writing as best
he might.
This was more easily said than done,
for there was a zigzag mark over his let
ter, and as the pen had fallen on its
point it was bent nearly double. Vexed
as he was, he leaned back in his chair
and laughed heartily.
"That was gracefully done, I'll ac-
knowledge" he said.
The afternoon was fine, and Lady
Eaton, Berry's aunt, called them all out
upon the terrace to view adistant noun
tain, which showed very clearly, the air
being so pure Fred brought out his
telescope and gallantly held it while
Berry peered through with such look
of interested curiosity one would sup
pose she had no thought for anything
this side of the mountain.
''How prettyl" she exclaimed, giving
her head sudden toss.
Away flew lock of hair, straight as
an archer's arrow, into Fred's eyes. He
nearly dropped the glass, and uttered
an angry exclamation in sudden pain.
Excuse my carelessness," she said
quietly. 81 had forgotten for the mo
ment you were so near"
Fred went into the house and bathed
his eyes in rather reflective mood; but
when he again appeared Berry seemed SO
unconscious of having done anything
wrong and she was so pretty and engag-
ing in manner throughout the evening
he forgot his vexation and was as agree
able as possible.
The next day she appeared with her
hair in the same style, and Fred all the
morning was on the lookout for another
hostile attack. None came, however.
In the afternoon they went out to have
row upon the lake. After rowing
while Fred rested his arms and his oars
at the same time, under the pretense that
it was nicer to float slowly along. He
took out a cigar and lighted it, saying he
must make the most of it, for it was his
last. He asked for some music while he
puffed away, and the girls began vocal
duet.
In the midst of the song Berry took off
her hat, making an excuse to fan herself
with it. AS she drew the elastic cord
suddenly from beneath it out flew her
shining hair like glittering flag at the
head of the boat, and away went Fred's
"last cigar" into the water.
''That was too cruel!'' he exclaimed;
but Berry sang on, her soft voice floating
| u. Ill h.