The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1894-12-22
DE0UEL TO A FL1RTATION.

lit with rose colored lamps. The air was
heavy with the scent of hot house flowers,
and, through velvet curtains, the dreamy
theme of the last new valse and faint
hum Of laughter and conversation rose
and fell. unbeaded by at least one of the
two figures settling out" the dance.
He was gazing refectively at her deli
cate profile and the soft fair curls resting
on her white neck, and wondering how
he ever came to make such q fool Of him.
sclf Is to let so rare prize slip from the
grasp that once held it 40 firmly, and,
In 8 silence that had fallen between them,
there rose before his elastic memory .
retrospect Of the past five years--yfpe
year, could 1t really be so long since he
"a friend Of her brother's--had stayed
1t her home, and bent only on amusing
himself, made such ardent love to the
pretty little girl Of seventeen who, full
Of bread and butter sentiment and school
g,rl romance, had given her whole heart
to BIN, implicitly believing his airy
promises of undying affection and ever.
lasting fidelityf lie remembered that,
when after q time news came thst his
regiment was suddenly ordered abroad,
he had been secretly pleased that the
hirtAtion, which was becoming just a
thought too serious, was put an end to
through no action Of his--and after =
touching farewell and Oft repeated assur-
ancs of unalterable devotion, he had gone
away to new lands, w,ping the little
episode from his mind ~ completely as
Nsponge passes over . slate.
Five years ago.
And to. night be had by chance met her
at ball. But half an hour since he
laughinoly acqaiesced when freud Of
Tered 10 present him to the belle Of the
evening, and few moments later was go
ing through the stereotyped Introduction
Miss Fsrrers--Captain Fordycc.
Stammer!ng out the usual society
phrases, he sought to ind in her charming
face little Of the embarrassment which
he himself was feeling; but, with brigh
glance Of perfectly easy recognition, sh'
looked up and said
"How strange to meet you here! Why
1t must be yearY since saw YOU"
He remained uncomfortably silent, and
longing, yet fearing, FOR the explanation
which he felt Was bound to follow, let
the way into the quiet unoccupied con
servatory, and waited for her to speak
But the past seemed to have faded com
pletely from her memory, and she chat
tered Qsily on every subject save ths
dreaded one. whilst he, more and mor'
charmed by her fascination and lowell
mesa, listened, content, for the first time
in his life, to hear and not to speak.
She told him how they had left thu
country and come to live in London; how
one brother had entered the Army
another the Church; how this sister wa
married, and that one abroad; what ,
gay season they we're having, and how
Rrieved she had been when Cambridg
lost the boat race; but of herself, even b.
tho most srtfully worded questions, h
could CLEAN nothing, and was no wise
on that subject when her partner came t,
claim her for the next dance than he ha'
been at tie commencement Of their con
versation. As she turned away, Laughing
slyly ut the savage gsare with which b
favored the unoffending young man q
her side, she said, carelessly, yet wit
dcep intent he thought
"Comc in and see US to morrow.
shall I've =. home about four aud then "
can talk over old times"
With q grateful glance, he hastil
scribbled down her address on his Gu
and moved off 10 the ball room; but tt
reves had no charm for him when b
jealous eye watched her graceful fgu
being whirled round the room by success
i've partners, or bcheld her the centre
little crowd OF admirers who clamor
for place in her programme,
He made his way to the smoking roo
and sought TO calm his bewildered ner,
with q cigarette.
When he re entered the ball room af
prouacted reverie, he was disappoin,
10 find that she had gone, and he b
missed the chance of folding her clio
about her slim form and seeing her
the carriage. So, wrapt in thought,
walked slowly homewarjs, hat in ha
that the soft night Jreezes might cool
burning forehead.
lie had within the last few hours co
70 the conclusion that henceforth
world beld for him but one WON
How sweet she vas Could he b
dreamt that the little school girl of
mer days would develop into reign
bcuu,yf And her eycsl the mocking
tiection in their sunny depths haun
BIN.
Ainu suc ioikpttrH Hi t.sS awe Paosh
OF the bygone yearsl Well, if IT wer.
il would Ire no difficult task to rec
mcnce them; her very uncoDscious0..
the past seemed to prove her reudiDei
reinstate him, and. then, bad she
asked him to call II, four to morrow
TO -dayf He pulled out his witch
ia
it was three O'Clock thirteen long 1
before he saw hef again. He wout
how the time would pass, then pouc