Daily public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1892-191?, 1894-03-24

had become engaged In the spring To
Bryan Carteret. IL is many year
since his name has passed my lips, and
yet see him as plainly now as that
first time we metl 1t was at the regi-
mental ball at Plymouth. How bright
and brave he looked in his scarlet and
gold, with his sunny eyes and sweet
smile! My heart beats faster now when
think of that night We were 20 be
married in the autumn, and in June he
came to stay few weeks. We have no
summers now like that! The days
passed like a dream of joy and sunshine
by che sparkling sea that I loved so
well, and that was to bring my LIES
happiness to an end.
The night before Bryan left us we
were all going to ball at neighbour
ing country house. The next day he
was to join some friends who were on
yachting cruise round the south
coast, and who were to put into Ply
mouth to pick him up. / was in a
teasing, Eighty mood, delighted to try
and make Bryan jealous, and pretend
did not mind the prospect of losing
seems now, looking backl At this
ball we met a certain Mr.. Hargraves,
a man who had paid me n considerable
amount of attention, and who was
Bryan's special aversion. Some evil
spirit prompted me to flirt with him
and to dance with him oftener than
was necessary. So often, that Bryan,
who was the least exacting of lovers,
spoke to me about it towards the end
of the evening, and asked me not to
dance with him again, as | was maxi
ing myself little conspicuous. / re-
member his very words! We were in
the conservatory.
"'It is not that | mind for myself,
sweetheart, though would rather you
would give me more of yourself this
last evening we shall spend together,
but | don't like people to be able to
make any remarks about you. You
can quite well stay here with me n bit
and say you forgot his other dance.
Such things are allowed in your case. >
There was such a loving smile in
his blue eyes as he bent over me.
And |, fool that was, said no, that
| was not in the habit of pretending
to forget an engagement, that | really
could not allow him to be overbearing
already, and that | would be glad if he
would take me back to my place. Then
his dear face grew very grave and he
said: Are you serious, Joan? Don't
you think it is pushing your play u
little too far? Surely, you might be
90 4 Al IL al ii
that you can be quite happy with
others besides myself, without giving
me the pain of this refusal of my first
request-the first have ever made to
you! We shall have no other time to-
gether, either. Have you forgotten
that shall leave too early to see you
Tomorrow? That the next will be the
last dance? Give it TO me
For a moment wavered and near
ly gave in, as in my heart of hearts
longed to do, and then remembered
Mr.. Hargrave's words as he asked for
this last dance. May have the last?
That is if you are allowed" and my
own scornful answer: Il have no ones
leave to ask, and my consent carried
the day and l refused Bryan's prayer.
He said no more, for he was too proud,
but took me back to my seat, and no
more passed between us, but he did not
seek to detain Inc moment in the hall
when he reached home, for a last good
night, as he so often did, but bade me
farewell with the rest, saying: Good
night, and good-by, shall be gone to-
morrow before you are down.
This was more than had intended.
l thought he would have tried to make
friends before he went, but my pride
would not let me make any advances