The record-union., 1892-08-27
MEPHLSTO.
CHAPTER 1,

es; queer thing, wasn't il, his dis
appearing like that? Thought that mar,
riage didn't suit his book Family and
every one cut up rough, you know,
Couldn't stand her. Pretty girl, too, but
bad style-awfully bad style. Just sec
ond-rate actress, with good voice; nc
great genius or anything. But he simply
went wild about her. Remember when
he used TO go every night to the Folly to
see her. only some trumpery little busi-
ness she had, too"
He hadn't the best reputation in the
world" said Jack Standish thoughtfully.
But yet at bottom he was an aWfully
good fellow. We used to see lot of him
at one time, and Cora looks upon him to
this day as a sort of Admirable Crich-
ton"
Your cousin knows him ?''
ION, yes; but they haven't met for
years. She was only child when he
went away
And now she's the beauty of the sea-
son ?'
who owns that enviable nomenclat-
ure?" asked pleasant voice near the
| young men.
Jack started.
An, Maulrever, is it you? We were
Cora, suppose?"
Yes" he said briefly. "Has fashion
enthroned her as its presiding goddess ?'
1T seems SO. All, the dance is oVeI.
You can judge whether the dictum is de-
served. Shall | introduce your"
Certainly not. l will trust to her
memory. l suppose [ have not grown
! out OF recognition, though, upon my soul,
she has -
lie looked at the beautiful young girl.
who looked like q queen among her
courtiers at the end OF the room. His
| eyes, dark as night, but with softened
cieam IN their Somber depths, rested half
tenderly, half-regretfully on her face.
His thoughts wandered from the brilliant
| scene around him to a child running
wild about the sunny Devon lanes, with
heart as light and a soul as clear as her
eyes.
'phe beauty OF the season." The title
haunted him like a refrain that one hears
long after the song has ceased. He moved
along and in and out of the maze Of silks
and lace and black coats and trailing
satins that filled the ballroom. Many eyes
followed the stately figure with it's easy
grace of movement and Soldierly bearing,
Jack Standish turned abruptly to his
companion.
''Wha was the origin of that sobri-
quet?" he asked with some curiosity.
ndIOlV
know. He was supposed to be very bad.
and he had the devils own luck at every
thing"
But was there nothing special-noth-
ing more than just an ordinary reputa-
ton for badness and luck ?''
''Not that ever heard of. 1 was only a
younster at the time, you see. He looks
a regular fire-eater, doesn't hep"
by Jove-yes! But splendid fellow
all the same. How they must have gone
on about his marriage!''
''They did?"
81 wonder what Cora will think of
him?" muttered Jack. "But he's quite
an old fogy to her. Reminds one of the
fellow in that thing Of the laureate's, 4
played with her when a child"
(which didn't prevent his falling in
love with her as woman.'
Failing in love-" said Jack, uneasily.
"Oh, no fear of that! Cora's not senti-
mental, and Maulrever's married-at least
we never heard of his wife's DEATH"
Besides, somebody else played with
her as child" laughed his companion.
'Eh, Jack?''
"Oh, Pm very fond of Cora, and our
I.people want us to hit it Off; and L sup
pose we Shall-some day. But there's
plenty of time to think of that
They passed on to seek respective part
ners, and at the same moment Cora Ire
sillian turned from the group surround
ing her and found herself face to face with
Colonel Maulrever.
No need to ask if she remembered-no
need for formal question or reply. Fan.
| flowers, programme, all fiuttered up-
needed to the ground-her eager hands
went out in eager greeting, and into her
eyes came such light OF gladneSS and of
welcome as might have fattered man
far less vain than Stuart Maulrever.
looked ln6 4 =
the girl. 1t was not SO much her beauty
that struck him as the bright, happy,
sunny look that told of the innocent girl
ish soul, unspoiled and unsoiled by the
world that had crowned her queen. A
fair young queen, indeed, and one whose
life was only rose path, its thorns still
hidden under leaves and blossoms
Looking at Cora Tresillian's face it was
impossible to associate it with anv
thought that was not fair and pure and
hopeful as herself.
Now it was perfectly radiant.
us it lly-really-you?" she cried,
ITO think we should meet like this-in a
London ballroom-and after all these
years.
1T is really me-" Maulrever said
laughing. "How well you remember
me-"
Have you seen Jack? How long have
you been home? Why didn't you come
to see us?" she went on rapidly.
What string Of fquestionsi Am I to
answer them all at once-here?''
His glance seemed to recall her TO the
exigencies Of the occasion. People were
looking at her, and at him; her flowers
lay a. her feet unheeded. He STOPPED
and picked them up, and gave them to
her. MAY L have dance?'' he said
quietly.
with pleasure she said. s,Hhe next
hplnn0s N h,1f Il
count"
Jack appeared to think they did, as he
saw her walk off on the arm of Stuart
Maulrever. This is our waltz, Cora. y
he said reproachfully.
81 can't dance it," she said coaxingly.
Don't be cross, Jack. You shall have
two tomorrow night instead. l want to
talk to Colonel Maulrever. Think of the
ages since l have seen him"
Jack could only succumb, but he felt
piqued at being thrown over so coollv.
He felt still more annoyed presently
when he passed group of men. and
heard one say to the other: "Mephisto at
mis- old games again! It's to be hoped he
won't go in for the beauty. She's no end
too good for him !"
''If he does go in for herr laughed an
other, I'VE may as well throw up the
sponge"
Meanwhile Maulrever and his compan-
ion skirted the crowd of dancers and took
their way to small room leading out of
the ballroom.
1t was quite deserted nova cool, dim
ly-lit little chamber with seats scattered
here ard there, and tall plants and ferns
everywhere about.
Cora took the chair he offered her, and
| looked closely at him as he seated himself
beside her. How changed you are %
she said abruptly.
Changed! In what way?"
His eyes did not reach the frank, girlish
gaze.
.sIn many MAYS ,, she said snttlr- ssI4 i