The National tribune., 1893-12-21


ever, appealing look frem Kay seemed to
| settle the matter, aud with little sigh she sub
| sided again into the cushions. He took a few
| steps towards window and stood there, won
derng what should DO his next move. So far.
| so good; but now what was TO come next? And
time was flying. Turning suddenly he met
her eyes resting on him with quaint. troubled
| expression, and his conscience sniote him. For
| half second the mans ehivalry struggled
| with his lower nature. The latter triumpbed.
| for he was hard pressed for money-he must
! either have money or must cut the service--hls
| career depended on the next hour.
AZ can't understand" he continued truth
| fully, what / feel about you. You have fas-
| cinated me completely" He seized her hand
| violently. "You little witch, how have you
done it?"
"Wbat nonsense are you talkingf This is
| not my first ball."
| For all that she was slipping the honey Of his
| words. He saw her weakness, aud profted
| therefrOm.
You are wrong, you simple littlo woman !;
! this is no nonsense. have road of such things
| as love at fist sight-sudden and fervent."
| She looked doubtful.
Little skepfic! Yes, have; poets sing of
| it, Dovelists are full of it."
"Novelists never draw from life"
Now don't laugh at me. you hurt me. / am
no man Of the world who can talk plattudes
with my heart SO full. Your frown can't stop
me; you see how ii is with me-"
tall, thin young man here interrupted
| their conversation. and carried Betty off; she
rose slowly, much disinclined to acknowledge
his claim. AS she walked leisurely along the
passage on her partners arm, she glanced back
with little regretiul grimace that bewitclied
Kay, who followed them. aud low Curse
| the fellow!" escaped him.
He went into the deserted refreshment-room
and tossed down brandy and soda, and an.
ut thar har 4 sipEap ned hitf,t hiatt her
was only three-qusrters of an hour left him.
and here was she wasting precious moments
dancing with another What had he achieved
Nothing. She had charmed him, hut that was
mere feeble sentiment. His work was cut out
for him, and he was determined to go through
with il. Idiots called her cold, soulless. Dear
little thing, with her winning manner and
lovely eyes and cleaning white teeth, and, to
crown all, with such a smile! He swore to
himself that he was q funny sort of chap and,
therefore, didn't like the job: hut what, after
all. was kiss TO er?-and f300 would save him
from ruin-a kiss and career-the balance
was distinctly uneven. If only the brandies-
and-s0das would drown his very small remnant
of conscence All! at last here she was.
"Why nave you been so long with that idiot?
/ do believe you were going TO prOong my
agony and were going into supper with him."
She nodded assent.
"Don't be fretfu," she said, smiling. "yon
shall have your reward"
Willingly he mistook her meaning.
Then come with me-" Leaving the crowd
to struggle down to supper, they went through
the hall and the boudoir to the glass-covered
terrace that ran along the front of the house,
where the many Chinese lanterns fickered
only dimiy. king the white statues peep
ghost-like from among the palms and flowers.
Here Capt. Kay seated her a marble seat
aud watched her try. by readopting her orig
inal Indifference to hide her timidity.
And now. Miss Dormer, for my reward"
Her changed manner annoyed him, for he
calculated that at this rate it wonld take more
than 10 minutes to reach the climax, aud by
that time Leigh would be triumphant behind
the curtain.
I'VE could have chatted quite as we'll up
stairs; it is cold and uncsnny here. hate
statues"
who wants to chat, Betty? 1 want my re-
ward" he urged.
You are having it. and it's quite your own
fault if il is not in cosier place. / don't like
it. Take me back"
mot until you have fulfilled your prom
ise"
"Whatf / have made nc promise"
- moment ago you spoke OF my reward.
You are 6ckle, like the rest; one moment you
are human, the next moment you repent.
Why do you torture me? What have ] done
TO you that you should treat me so?"
seizrd both her hands in his fercely. 81
want kiss," he murmured.
" You are mad.' Her voice trembed with
the struggle TO free herself from his grasp.
why did you allow me to talk to you
il my sudden love for you hadn't awakened
some feeling in your"
The minutes were scampering towards the
decisive hour. His pleading was useless alive
10 the futiieness of his Efforts to break through
her conventional manner, he grew more and
more excited. and groped 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 ball. room stuff
'Love!" she scotfed Two hours ago we
had never met; and now-and-mOw THE
words choked her" it is An insult"
A groan escaped him, and long. weary sigh.
Have soldiers time for long wooing?
Here to-day and gone tomorrow" This senti-
mentality. expressed in hoarse, trembling
tones called forth CLEAN of pity in her lovely
eyes. He recognized the effect of his words
aud footstep in the empty room adjoining
reused him into action. At last he collected
hs wits and had his plausible lie GlihIy, ia
low, gaspIng sentences, he spoke to her:
" / am under sailing orders. / leave to-
morrow for BuriRah." She muttered some.
thing inaudbe. Il may he ordered to the
front, and if / were not the climate is as bad
an enemy as the Dacoits. / love you. tell
you love you. am poor man. soldiers
pIttance is all / have. hut 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.