The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-02-17
THE KISS.


ows.
Brantain sat in one of these shadows
it had overtaken him and he did not mind.
The obscurity lent him courage to keep
his eyes fastened as ardently as he liked
upon the girl who sat in the freight.
She was very handsome. with certain
fine, rich coloring that belongs to the
healthy bruno tpye. She was quite COM
posed. as she idly stroked the satiny coat
Of the cat that lay curled in her lap, and
she occasionally sent a slow glance into
the shadow where her companion sat
They were talking low. of Indifferent
things which plainly were not the things
that occupied their thoughts. She knew
that he loved her-a frank, clustering
fellow without guile enough to conceal his
feelings, and no desire to do so. For two
weeks past he had sought her society
eagerly and persistently. She was con-
fdently waiting for him TO declare himself
and she meant to accept him. The rather
Insignificant and unattractive Brantain
was enormously rich. and she liked and re-
quired the encourage which wealth could
give her.
During one of the pause between their
talk of the last tea and the next reception
the door opened and young man entered
whom Brantain knew quite we'll The
girl turned her face toward him. stride
or two brought him to her side, and bend
ing over her chair-before she could sus-
pect his intention, for she did not realize
that ne had not seen her visitor-he press
ed an ardent, lingering kiss upon her lips.
Brantain slowly arose; so did the girl
arise, but quickly, and the newcomer stood
between them, little amusement and
some defiance struggling with the confu-
sion in his face.
Il believe" stammered Brantain, Il
see that I have stayed too long. IL had
no idea-that is, ] must wish you coed
by" lie was clutching his hat with both
hands. and probably did not perceive
that she was extending her hand TO him;
her presence of mind had not completely
deserted her. but she could not have
trusted herself to speak.
"Hang me If / saw him sitting there,
Mattel [ know it's deuced awkward for
you. But l hope you'll forgive me this
once-this very first break. Why, what's
the natter"
Don't touch me; don't come near me-"
she returned angrily. what do you
mean by entering the house without
ringing
u came in with your brother, as I
often do he answered, coldly, in self
Justification I'VE came in the side way.
! He went up stairs, and / came in here
hoping 10 find you. The explanation is
simple enough and ought to satisfy you
that the misadventure was unavoidable.
But do say that you forgive me- Natha-
lio'' he cntreated, sOttening.
"Forgive YOU! You don't know what
Won are talking about. Let me pass. 1t
depends upOn-a great deal whether / ever
forgive you
Al the next reception which she and
. HI saF,f nfs
approached the young man with De
/ licious frankness of manner when she
saw him there
'Win YOU let me speak to you a mo-
4 ment or two, Mr. Brantain|' she asked,
/ with an engaging but perturbed smile
! He seemed extremely unhappy, but when
she took his arm and walked away with
! him. seeking a retired corner, ray Of
/ hone mingled with the almost comich
misery of his expression. She was ap-
parently very outspoken.
''Perhaps l should not have sought this
interview, Mr.. Brantain; but-but, oh, I
have been very uncomfortable almost
miserable since that little encounter the
other afternoon. When / thought how
you might have misinterpreted 1t, and be-
lieved things-hOpe was plainly gaining
the ascendency over misery in Brantain's
round guileless face-"of course, l know
II is nothing to you, but for my own
sake l do want you to understand that
Mr. Harvey is an intimate friend of long
standing. Why, we have always been like
cousins-like brother and sister, 1 may
say. He is my brothers most intimate as
sociate and often fanties that he is enti-
tied to the same privileges the family
Oh I know it is absurd, uncalled for, to
tell you this; undignified even" she was
almost weeping, but it makes so much
difference to me what you think of-of
me-" Her voice had grown very low and
agitated. The misery had all disappear
ed from Brantains face.
Then you do really care what 1 think,
Miss Nathalie? May l call you Miss
Nathalie?" They turned into a long dim
corridor that was lined on either side with
tall graceful plants. They walked slowly
to the very end of it. When they turned
to retrace their steps Brantain's face
was radiant and hers was triumphant.
Harry was among the guests at the
wedding, and he sought her out in rare
moment when she stood alone
Your husband" he said, has sent me
over to kiss you"
A quick blush suffused her face and
round polished throat. Il suppose it's
natural for man to feel and act gener-
ously on an occasion of this kind. He tells
me he doesn't want his marriage to in
terrupt wholly that pleasant intimacy
which has existed between you and me.
don know what you've Deen telling him,
with an insOlent smile, but he has sent
me here to kiss you'
She felt like "a chess player, who, by
clever handling Of his pieces, sees the
game taking the course intended Her
eyes were bright and tender with a smile
as they glanced up into his, and her lips
looked hungry for the kiss which they
invited.
But, you know" he went on quietly, "I
didn't tell him 50, it would have seemed
ungrateful, but / can tell you. I've stop
ped kissing women; it's dangerous
Well, she had Brantain and his million
left. A person can't have everything in
this world; and it was little unreasona-
BILE of her to expect it.
Was CaIhOun's Sweetheart.