Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1892-01-16
luton on ms raee.

a.
He broke or sharply. smiled broad
~ p himself; Then, with a gliding. cat
IKE motion went down the corridor.
disappearing 10 moment round one
CT The many quaint turuings.
About fifteen minutes later. Colonel
ii rdwie&, lying in semi-somnolent
state on comfortable couch beneath
one of the stained windows. was reused
by the sound of womau's silken skirt
rustling close to him.
lie lay perfectly still, not cucious
enough to open his ewes; he heard the
steps approaching and faint perfume
OF heliotrCpe was waited to bis nos
trllS, then someone bent over him, aud
a soft quick ISIS was pressed on his
brow.
1t cost him an effort not to move:
that kiss seemed to send an electric
current through his veins and his neart
was strangely stirred. He waited, his
eyes tight shut, and his breath coming
regularly from his lips until he felt he
was safe; then, with great caution he
lifted his eye-lids sufficiently TO dis
Germ the slowly receding figure.
A girlish form. clad in "A trailing
dress of rich grey silk; The head
was partly concealed by white lace
scarf, bat Colonel Hardwick Just
caught a glimpse of pair OF bright
blue eyes, aud few thick short curls
of brown.
Little witch!' he thought, smiling;
then Il passionate light spraug to bis
eyes aud he added: Margery, nv
sweet darling!
He dressed for dinner that night
with unusual care, and before descend
ing TO the dining-room placed "a small
piece Of heIiotropr IN his bultou-hoe.
His face generally SO grave wore
very tender expression. a tenderness
which deepencd when he found him
self near Margery.
He noticed, with intense satisfaction.
that she was dressed in grey and
amongst the cluster of roses at her
breast was mingled little heliotrope.
Presently Bob. who had been sitting
rather quiet, nodded across the table at
the colonel, with one OF his most know
ing smiles.
BY the way, colonel, l caught you
mapping this afternoon. he said, loud
enough for all to hear. Its good
thing the girls were busy elsewhere, or
you might have had a dne lot of gloves
to buy
Colonel Hardwick laughed quietly.
Il think have one pair to buy," he
answered, and looked at Margery with
50 much meaning in his eyes that she
blushed hotly, and felt uncomfortably
confused without knowing why.
The next day as Violet sat alone in
her room, just before dinner, she was
surprised to see Margery enter. look
in. Curiously white, and bearing a
pretty, hand-paiuted box in her hand
Can you understand it?' she ex-
claimed, her tones low aud concen-
lrated and she flung the box on
Violets lap. Someone has been play
ing me a trick. | should think.
Violet glanced at the beautiful white
gloves and at the card slipped beneath
them, A few words were peucilled
upon it, that she read before answer
ing
My dear, Colonel Hardwcik sent
YOU THESE, and he seems to think YOU
won them Yesterday while he slept, :"
she said at last. Il cannot understand
it any more than you do-there must
be some mistake"
"A mistaken Margery answered
blazing out with sudden passion. 1t
is an iusut, and as long as live l will
never forgive him!'
Hush! be reasonable, Marg~y,
Violet went on, speaking very gently
II have known Colonel Hardwict near
Is all my life, and ! bHo10 him to be
both honorable and reverential toward
ladies. Someone evidently kissed him
yesterday aud being half-asleep he
did not quite recognize the cuIprit.
Then he had no right to presume
that it was r. Margery retorted her
anger deepening. II will never
never speak TO him again.
Yes YOU will. Ii you are wise, my
dear Margery, YOU will give him back
his gift aud tell him to discover the
rightful owner, am sure there is
one"
do you think it could have been
Efhe?~ Margery asked. cooling down
Il little.
ViGet shook her head.
No; she was with me until the
dressing bell rang, and when we pass
ed through the corridor he was not
there.
Margery remained silent, and the
pallor returned to her face.
Once or twice Violet stole look at
her friend, and felt grieved to see her
so sorrowfu
The girl was very quiet during din
ner. and avoided Colonel .Iardwick in
so marked manner, that he at last
began to understand something was
wrong: aud he was not the only one al
the table who felt uncomfortable.
viii YOU be ia the library 10 half
an-hour?' she whispered the first OPP
portuuity she had Of speaking u him
II have something to say to
you-alone."
He bowed, hiding well bis surprise;
in her voice and expression
had plainly shown him no tender mo-
tive had prompted her words
In growing disquiet he waited with
patience 10 the library untH the time
appointed for the meeting
1T last she walked softly into the