The Press., 1891-08-20

and golden clasps, her eyes had wistful look that was unusual to them.
 ''How lovely you look in that white dress with not a single ornament! she said to Eugenie. Ut would neva do for me. Imust have bwightness. But taste is great compensation for beauty. Taste I have. Don't you like my bon net?'
 'It is just the color of d wild rosc," said Eugenie, and Maisie, quite content. seized Roy's arm and skipped away; but while she had been prinking at the glass this same Roy had looked into Euyelics eyes and said in voice too low to be heard across the room, May 1 come again, Miss AshtonY' and she had an- swered, "Whenever Miss Maisie likes to bring you." in a tone that was scarcely civil
 As Maisie walked homeward. Roy stalking silently beside her, she herself for once was silent. For the first time since MT. Bunny had brought this sweet heart home to her she was unhappy. He had looked at Eugenie as he had never looked at her. What he had said to her as they stood apart she did not know, but there was glow on his cheek and a flash in his eye that she had never seen there before, She clasped her hands over his arm, hoping he would place his upon them. He did nothing of the sort, though Maisie had lovely little hands, in very pretty gloves. Maisie would have for l given him had he stolen a kiss i'll the 1 shadow of the church they were passing, or walked with his arm about her waist, as did the lovers of the housemaids in white aprons whom they met. Her whole soul cravcd q morsel of tenderness, but he did not offer ono. At the door, though MT. Bunny called over the balcony, nCame hup, Clifford, we're not abcd yet, '' Roy replied, "Thanks, not tonight" and took his leave. Maisiesighcd as he spoke. In his place how gladly wo,,l she have availed herself of the opportunity to Auger:
 For the first time in her life Maisie laid awake and wet the pillow with her tears. She was filled with sad present. ments; suddenly awakened to the fact that she was deformed and no longer even young. Hitherto, despite all her chatter, she had believed that she had a charm oi manner and 9 taste in costume that com pepsated for everything else. Oh, the bitter, bitter hours, The Maisie that awoke after a troubled mornings sleeI was scarcely the same Maisie whose in' nocent vanity made her see everything about her through rosy glasses, and though she tried to believe that all wa: we'll she could not. Her misery grew greater as days passed and Clifford die not come to the house: She roamed abou restlessly, listening to MT: Bnnnys word iptentlF, hoping to hear him speak O Roy. He never mentioned his name, bu there had been talk Maisie did not knov of: One night after they had retired Mrs . Bunny prodded MT, B, with her elbow 3 "Asleep, love% she said.
 } "No, and not likely to be so long a s you keep poking at me, missus." sait Bunny.
 X "That's the crossest word never yol
 said to me, Richard Bunny" said tn
 lady.
 :Aye, missus, I'm vexed, said Bunny
 ttAnd I believe 1t is the same thin
 I'm vexed over," said Mrs. Bunny
 "What spoke for was to ask you abou
 this Roy Clifford, Why does he sto
 away like this? Maisie is upset by it,
 can see that"
 Perhaps they've had tiff,' sai
 Bunny.
 Indeed mo-" replied Mrs, Bum.
 "Now you know that our poor lit
 Maisie is plain and will get no prettie If anything is to come of this sweet'ar
 ing it ought to come soon. You shou.
 settle it, Bunny, for the girls sake, ell
 we've done 'er 'arm and no good. Sl
 was content enough in the days whe she earned 'er bread"
 "Ah, I doubt we've been two fools n
 to stop with giving Ter what we cou
 take from our pockets. Lovers are bs
 goods to 'andle," said Bunny. CT
 going to speak to Roy Clifford; al ra though there was a time when is fathe n g boy like myself then, gave me Il l. passage to America and ten pound .v boot, and so started me in life, and in looked up to i'm as if ed been the Prin ,d of Wales, no less, why I could buy al " sell the old family today, and when y speak I'll speak plain, mind you. On q. if tits tiff, why it's you can see to
 best, and it's not likely 'e'll get mo " money with another girl than we'll gi ,,t I'm with Maisie." he "I wish it was like that" said MI ar Bunny, 'sbut I doubt your young m' to Is looking for more beauty than we C: ~. 'o give him with our Maisie, old gent A0 man."
 y COnt.pucd npvt week.