The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-11-02
a WOMAN'S TREAC CHERRY.

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blue eyes, grown serious now, ard clus-
tering waves Of nut-brown hair and at
her feet wealth Of wild flowers, that
had fallen from her slim, white hands
at her lovers approach.
Her lever! Yes, you woald have
known him to be that by the light in
his eyes, even before he caught her to
his heart, called her his darling and
kissed her smiling lips
II have come to ask favor, sweet
heart" he said. Il am going to plead
with you to let me tell your guardian
our love story and make public our en-
gagemtnt before you 60 to this new
life that lies smiling before you"
Mazda Gray looked up with laughing
eyes, but made no answer.
II do not believe in secrecy, Mazda"
Roy Carlisle continued. mo good ever
comes Of it. VIII you let me speak,
my darling?" .,
mo. oh, Roy, do not wish to 80
there as an engaged girl and hear their
comments upon it I know my aunt
Helene does not believe in youthful
engagements. Is it not sufficient that I
love you and will be true to
you? I could trust you, Roy'-the
last a little reproachfully.
He drew her to him and looked into
the lovely violet eyes.
Can trust you, sweetheart?
The laughing eyes grew grave.
Eyes, Roy, you can trust me, for I
love YOU" she said; then resun:ng her
usual manner:
.'Perhaps it is I who should not trust
you, when I am gone and time hangs
heavy on your hands. l have q sus-
picion at any rate, that you were once
In love with Leah, or she with you.
Which was 1t, Roy?"
THAT is not very generous remark,
Mazda. I never gave Leah reason to
dream I loved her; and She Well,
she is too sweet and womanly to show
favor unsought."
They had left the trysting- place, and
were wandering down beneath the
shadow of the trees, toward the beach,
where the waves Tapped the stretch Of
yellow sand that lay golden in the
sunlight.
Then out from the shadow Of the
trees they had left came a girl-a girl
who at first glance seemed little more
than a child-a slim little beauty, with
hair as yellow as ripe corn, and eyes
like the edelweiss, with dainty, curry
ing baby mouth, and skin ike lilies and
wild blush roses.
Now, however, the blue eyes held
the green light Of the beryl, and the
pretty face was contorted with passion.
80 she can mock at me-laugh at
my folly, while she triumphs in the love
I would have given my very life for.
And he-he never gave me cause to
dream he loved me! Too sweet and
womanly! Ha, ha! Then if he did
not, why did he smile in my eyes and
linger by my side, before she came
here?"
Suddenly Maida's laugh came to her
ears, carried back by the light sea
breeze, and the pretty face grew more
bitter, the green light in the blue eyes
more intense.
II would risk my souls salvation
Ito part them!' she cried. II would stop
at nothing to take the laugh from her
lips, the light from her eyes. Fate
has always been kind to me, and my
time may come: Their secret engage
ment is one card played into my hand,
Or at least, the knowledge Of it,
A few days later Mazda Gray went
i
her, with her lovers passionate kisses
on her lips, his tender voice ringing in
her ears
"Oh! my darling, it is like death to
part with you," he had said "a year!
Think what changes it may make.
Mazda, let my claim be known before
you go and will try to be satisfied u
She had laughed lightly. At seven.
teen nothing seems very serious, and
then it would spoil this year OF bright
ness her Aunt Helene had promised her
the wear in which she was to see the
world and it's ways.
Looking into her lovers pale, hand
some face, she had been almost tempt
ed to forego the promised pleasure, but
then ~ Well, surely Roy would not be
selfish enough to wish her to forego it.
II he loved her he could trust her
Poor, pretty child she little dreamed OF
the bitter pain her willfulness would
bring to the heart Of him she really
loved with all the depth Of her heart.
When Mazda was gone, Roy and Leah
were thrown more than ever together
and then Leah was always ready to
speak Of his darling, and that was some
consolation to Roy. To hear her very
name was something.
OAC Ndy AC AlAC APOAA ACA plAiAIAAe0 q
panel Of water lilies, faint smile curv
ing her red lips.
'Don't you think my task is a pleas
ant one?" she said, glancing at him
from under her heavy 1ashes, the green
ish light that BODIED danger nickering ii
her eyes.
"Why so pleasant in this instance?
he asked, with smile.
Again her eyes swept his face, under
the shade Of their lashes
ut is wedding present for Mazda,
she said. isn't it pretty?'
He turned pale beneath his bronze.
MAZDA? Do you mean your cousin
Mazda GrayY'
"Why, certainly. Who else? Their
are the wedding cards. They came Il
a letter to-day"
"Dla-did she speak-did she mention
me in any way, Leah-in her letter,
mean?'
Leah looked at him In apparent SUI
prise.
why, what is the matter, Roy
What a funny nueNtiODi