The morning call., 1893-12-03
A CAREER FOR A KISS.


her again into her seat. For moment she
resented his tyranny. An angry flush
rose to her face. However, an appealing
look from Kay seemed to settle the mat
ter. and, with a little sigh, she subsidized
again into the cushions. He took few
steps toward a window and stood there,
wondering what should be his next move.
so far, so good; but now, what was to
come next? And time was flying. Turn
Ing suddenly he met her eye resting OH him
with a quaint, troubled expression. and
MS conscience smote him. For half sec
ond the mans chivalry struggled with his
lower nature. The latter triumphed. for
he was hard pressed for money. He
must either have money or must cut the
service. His career depended on the next
hour.
II can't understand" be continued.
truthfully, "what feel about you. You
have fascinated me completely" He seized
her hand violently You little witch,
how have you done it?'
What nonsense are you talking? This
is OF my first ball.
For ali that she was slipping the honey of
his words. He saw her weakness and
profited therefrom.
You are wrong. you simple little
woman; this is no nonsense. l have read
OF such things as love at first sight-sud-
den and fervent."
She looked doubtful.
sing of it. novellsts are full OF it,"
'Novelists never draw from llfe."
NOW, don't laugh at me. You hurt me.
l am no man of the world who can talk
platitudes with my heart so full. Your
frown can't stop me; you see how it is
with me-"
A tall, thin young man here interrupted
their conversation. and carried Betty off
she rose slowly much disinclined to ac-
knowledge his claim. As she walked
leisnrely along the passage on her part
ner's arm. she glanced back with a little
regretful grimace that bewitched Kay, who
followed them, and low Course that fel-
low" escaped him.
he went into the deserted refreshment
room and tossed down a brandy and soda,
and another, and another. 1t sckened
him that there was only three-quarters of
an hour left him, and here was she vast
ing precious moments dancing with an
other. What had he achieved? Nothing
She had charmed him, but that was mere
feeble sentiment. His work was cut out
Tor him, and he was determined to 90
through with it. Idiots called her cold,
soulless. Dear little thing, with her win
ming manner and lovely eyes and cleaning
white teeth, and, to crown all, with such a
smile! He swore to himself that he was a
funny sort OF chap, and therefore didn't
like the job; but what, after all, was kiss
TO her?-and $500 would save him from
ruin-a kiss and a career-the balance
was distinctly uneven. Ii only the bran
dies and soda would drown his very small
remnant of conscience! All! at last here
she was
why have you been so long with that
idiot? l do believe you are going to pro-
long my agony aud were going in to supper
with him."
She nodded assent.
'DoD't be fretful." she said smiling, "you
shall have your reward"
Willingly he mistOok her meaning.
Then come with me-" Leaving the
crowd 10 struggle down to supper thew
went through the hall and boudoir to the
glass-c0vered terrace that ran along the
front OF the house, where the many Chinese
lanterns fiickered only dimIy, making the
white statues peep ghostlike from among
the palms and flowers. Here Captain Kay
seated her on marble seat and watched
her try by raadopting her original indiffer-
enee to hide her timidty.
And. now, Miss Dormer, for my re-
ward
Her changed manner annoyed him for he
calculated at this rate that IL would take
more than fifteen minutes to reach the
climax. and by that time Leigh would be
triumphant behind the curtain.
I'VE could have chatted quite as well up-
stairs; It is cold and uncanny here. hate
statues"
reward" he urged.
You are having il. and it's quite your
own fault if it's not in a cozier place. l
don't like it. Take me back"
ise." 'N' -
What? 1 have made no promise"
moment ago you spoke of my reward.
You are hckle, like the rest. One moment
you are human. the next moment you re-
pent. Why do you torture me? What have
Idone to you that you should treat me so?"
She rose quickly. but following her he
seized both her hands in his fiercely. II
want kiss" he murmured.
you are mad" Her voice trembled
with the struggle to free herself from his
grasp.
'Why did you allow me to talk to You
so If my sudden love for you hadn't
awakened some feeling in you?"
Ihe minutes were scampering toward
the decisive hour. His pleadings were use
less. Alive to the futileness of his efforts
to break through her conventional manner,
he grew more and more excited and
CROPPED around wildly in his mind for
some strategy, some lie to coax her with.
The girl troubled him. He felt
her worth and cursed his fate that
she was not made Of the ordinary ballroom
stuff.
"LoveP she scoffed. 1.-TWO hours ago
we had never met. And now-and now"
the words choked her-'it is an in
suit"
A groan escaped him. and a long weary
sigh.
Have we soldiers time for long WOO
ing? Here to-day and gone tomorrow P"
This sentimentality. expressed In hoarse
trembling tones. callei forth a glsam of
pity in her lovely eyes. He recognized the
effect of his words. and footsteD in the
empty room adjoining reused him
into action. At last he collected
his wits and had his plausible lie.
Chilly, in low, gasping sentences. he spoke
to her:
Il am under sailing orders. I leave to-
morrow for Burmah." She muttered some
thing inaudible. II may be ordered to the
front, and if 1 were not, the climate is as
bad an enemy as the Dacoits. l love you.
l tell you love you. / am a poor man.
A soldiers pttance is all l have, but love
you, and the thought Of you will help me
to live as man should live to be worthy
of such woman as you are. Betty. listen
to me. i ask so little-a kiss-a token that
l may come back when ] have my major
ity and ask you to take pity on me. Have
no chance of winning your love? Say
yes; give me a glimmer of hope-be char
liable; yes. | know you are proud. re-
served. perfect mind and perfect soul