Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1892-07-16

tables he was obliged TO remain st the
jack table, because in watching he had
blundered stupidity. Beseie and the au.
thor won the game, and though they
were not partners in the next the merri-
ment between them continued, and he
saw her dart perfect coquette's smile
at him as at the next he went down 10
the king.
Tom Plotton was her next partner,
but her sparkle was gone. She scarcely
spoke.
"Humph," muttered Cecil, quite q
descent from literature to flour. Plotton
and will surely agree, for he Is un.
doubtedly getting the cold shoulder"
Yet, despite himsslf, doubts would
break into the adverse decision. Per
haps she Is true. sitter ell; her spirits may
be her way Of entertainment. may be
making fearful mistake"
FINALLY good luck advanced him and
he became her partner Tor game. sne
was all life again, exactly ~ she had
been TO the author. AZ believed he de-
tected her wish TO draw him on 10 Low.
ing her, and. though hattered, the old
doubt grew stronger. The duties Of
hostess did not necessitate such action
she had tried 10 draw the author on; she
was trying him now. The only result
would be that she would reject them
both i'm ridicule.
Music and promenading through the
spacious house followed cards. Cecil
fastened to engage Bessie as Q com
panion. The author foreetalled him.
He walked sngrily into the conservatory
and stopped before a palm, ostensibly
examining il, but In reality analyzing
his state Of mind. Was he jealous2 II
so, he really loved Bessie, but could he
ask her 10 be his when all he had seen
confirmed her coquetryf
Bessie and Hughes came near and
stopped before a large plant, but with
their backs toward Cecil, who was well
screened from them.
miss Fallington," said the author in
the unmistakable voice of devotion, "do
you like literature?"
81 love H." she replied. Let me tell
you little secret that you must never
reveal. Ihave lately had quite num-
Der Of poems published--anonymously
Of course"
Adorable, he cried, enthusiast cally
"You must show them TO me-"
"By no means. You would criticise
the poor little attempts"
mot for worlds They could not
help being full Of FIRE and genius. But
would you not like to devote your life,
yourself, to literaturef"
"Oh! Mr.. Hughes, my humble talents
wouldn't last fortnight"
81 don't mean In that way; though
your talent would. ] mean would You
not like to live always in literary at
mosphere-in fact, Miss Fallington, a.
the wife Of an author"
Pardon me, Mr.. Hughes" she OK
claimed, "but I do believe this rare plant
is dying. Unjust tell father at once"
Don't turn me aside" pleaded the
author, trying to catch her hand. 81
love you to- -
Hush, hush, Mr.. Hughes" she whis-
pered. "Here comes some one."
The some one was Tom Plotton, and
he was coming direct for them. -
"Mr. Hughes" he said, "tbey are ask
ing for you in the psrlor. They're dis
cussing the authorship Of late anony-
nous poem. They want you to help
them out"
Very WELL" replied Hughes gallant
ly, "and ] think can make good de-
cision on the latest and directest infor.
nation"
Don't you dare" exclaimed Bessie,
with light laugh, the meaning Of
which came in words as soon as the au-
thor was out Of hearing.
"Oh! I'm so glad you came, for, don't
you think. he was just declaring his love
for me-"
Both broke into hearty laugh. Con-
viction struck Cecil. II this wasn't an
evidence Of heartless coquetry what
could be' He sincerely thanked his
good fortune that his doubts had kept
him from declaring his own love sew.
eral months before in similar place.
"And / have no doubt" he heard
Plotton say, chat IL were now TO
say that love you you'd thank some
one for interrupting, and laugh a.
heartily over my Stiffness. wouldn't
your
perhaps ! should"
Though you have given me some en-
couragement, Bessie"
Have /? Come, I want TO tell father
this plant is dying"
They moved away and Cecil returned
to the parlor, thrilling with pleasure st
his narrow escape He rejoiced grestly
that Bessie Fallington had never had 3
chance to laugh al him. He shortly
withdrew elated, but In the night doubt
OF his decision troubled him. The heart
and head would not agree. The strong
er became the latter, the fuller was the
former Of regret that he could not have
Bessie Fallington.
Next morning he hastened to Plottons
establishment and found that gentleman
In his glass oflce looking quite happy.
Happy commission strokes" asked
Cecil.
"Yes, an unusual one. Well, I sup.
pose You have come TO compare notes
about Bessie Fsllington."
"Yes."
"Well, what's your decisiony'
That che is a heartless Airt, and
think I'll give up all thoughts of her."
you think So"
"Yes, only think, for still can't de-
eide and I ca,nA s~ss. A. -