Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-10-02
NOT A SUCCESS.

LET me tell you, us a friend, that you're
| all wrong in the matter we've been talking
about-wrong from beginning to end.
may be mistaken, but was certainly un
der the impression that discerned some
thing Of the Othella type OF character last
night, when all the innocent enjoyment OF
Miss Nina's evening was overloaded by
the grave annuncatiOn from Mr.. Mort hall
that he considered IL a very improper thing
for an engaged young lady TO waltz"
"Well, | don't waltz myself, and who
wants To see his fiancee whirling around q
ballroom with the deuce only knows wbof'
Mr.. Gray's conservatory was a pretty
place. The afternoon sun was showering
its golden drops of light among the pol
ished japonica leaves and clingiDg passion
vines in this little section Of the tropics
when, had Mr. Clarence Northall been able
TO takea peep among its buds and blossoms,
he might very easily have discovered what
Nina was doing"
For she stood powered In geraniums
and Cloth OF Clli roses, her apron full OF
flowers, engag 4 in the important business
of selecting "A fitting bouquet for the even.
ing soiree, while her cousin, Warner Gay,
was standing half way up little rosewood
stepladder, armed with "A pair Of garden
scissors, clipping OF blossom after blossom
as she pointed them out.
And Charles Browning stood beside her
playfully commenting on her selections.
NOW cut me that sprig of heliotrope,
Warner" said Nina gayly. Pm particu-
larly interested in that, for you know hello
trope is Clarence's fayorite flower"
'Heliotrope, ell" said Warner, and deftly
insinuating his scissors amid a thicket OF
dropping stars he lightly tossed the purple
plume of fragrance through the Towering
shrubs that interposed between him and
Nina.
what n splendid chance for me TO dis
play what little chiyalry possess' said
Browning. stopping for the sprig ere Nina
could recover il, and sinking melodramat
ically on one knee 10 present 1t.
Fair damsel, deign to accept the floral
Offering from the hand Of one Of the hum
blest of your adorers."
"What nonsensel" said Warner Gay,
laughing. II could have done better my
self"
1t was nonsense--then why did Nina turn
so suddenly pa e and gaze with such mute,
startled earnes ness toward the doort
Browning spFang To his feet in an instant,
and turning just in tin. 10 catch a glimpse
of Clarence Northalls lowering brow and
flashing eyes.
"Come in, Northallr he exclaimed. I'VE
are having tableau comiqUe."
"Clarencew appealed the soft, tremulous
voice Of Nina. He is oh, do 30 after
him and bring him back, Mr.. Browningp
But ere Browning could reach the door
Northall walked out Of the house In a tu-
multi Of contending emotions, first and fore
most among which stood out the green
eyed monster"
Don't mind it, Miss Nina Just let him
alone until he is ready TO apologize for his
very absurd conduct, and then matters will
be all right again"
So Nina sat down To her desk and wrote
q little tear stained note that would have
melted the heart Of Gibraltar itself and
dispatched il by Warner Gay.
Northall opened il, glanced over the con-
tents and quietly laid it aside.
"Come now, Northall," said Gay good
humoredly, don't keep up the farce any
longer. Put ON your hat aud come round
TO our house. Nina's in the slough Of de-
spond."
II am very sorry" said Clarence stiffly,
'that it will be impossible"
When Pierce Melton lounged into North
alls room as usual toward twilight to
smoke cigar, Clarence handed him asmall
folded note
"What is itf"
"Only q few words to dissolve my en-
yagement."
Melton started from his chair. dropping
both note and cigar in dismay.
"Clarence Northall! you're not going to
give up the sweetest girl in New York
through mere phantasyp
"Give her upi No." said Northall, with
/ cold. sneering smile. But am goingto
each her lesson that she will not soon
orget."
"If you do not give her up, what Ii the
neaniIg G Of this notei"
"Simply that it will do her good to fancy
he engagement definitely Cancelled for
while. When think she has come to her
enses, the matter is easily replaced ON its
I'D footing"
Northall calmly reached over and pulled
he silken tassel of the bell. A servant
the summons after moment or
wo Of delay.
"Vance, take this note to Mrs. Gay'a
There Is no answer"
Two weeks crept slowly by-three, and
It length the month came around with its
crescent moon.
II think it's get ing to be high time to
call around at NIna's," said Northall to
himself. she viii he penitent and sub
missive enough by this time, | don't
doubt"
Nina came forward To greet him, looking
lovely, but her manner was
self possessed. Instead of burst
ing into a self convicted shower Of tears,
and pleading humbly for his gracious par
don as he had fully expected she would do,
she quietly sat down and awaited his
lead"
'It is a long time since we have met,
Nina"
Yes" she answered simply, with the
black brown eyes fixed on bis face.
Nina" he said huskily, IL have come
here prepared To forget the past and to
overlook all minor indiscretions Ny dar-
ling, you are forgiven"
Forgiven ask no such boon at your
hands, sir. Your forgiveness is no longer
matter OF moment to me-"
"Ah, that belongs to the past, ," said Clar.
ence magnanimously. We will allude to
1t no more"
Nina frigidly withdrew the hand he had
ventured TO take.
You are too late, Mr.. Northall," she
said. Your own act has long ago DESTROYED
whatever faint vestige Of liking may have
felt, or fancied felt, toward you"
She opened the door of an AL joining room
Charles, will you tell this gentleman
That we are Ell saged"