The record-union., 1895-07-13
calendar as they went by, and now

well, she would enjoy 1t all the same.
When they came down cloaked for the
carriages they occupied the spare time in
filling up the programmes. BERTHE found
it impossible to keep his eyes steadily
from one point of the room; was obliged
by common courtesy to dance with the
guests in the house, so he made his way
TO DOrOthy's side. who was laughing
over some joke with Captain Wemyss
(and now that he thought Of 1t. that gen
tleman had been slightly stiff in manner
all day, to ask for dance.
"CertainIy,D the girl replied in
friendly tone; will you have square or
round?"
Now why men should consider it an
insult to be offered a square is to me
mystery, but the fact remains that they
do; so Bertie's chin went few inches
higher in the air as he replied:
Round, if you have DO objection. and
may [ have twO?"
''Be careful Of your dances, Dolly,
please" said Lady Newton who was
passing at the moment. II am answera-
BILE for good many with you this even
ing"
That lady had a wise head on pair of
small shoulders and did not approve in
the very least of the way In which her
pretty 1avorite was being treated, and she
felt certain that with little help the girl
could hold her own.
" was pointing to 10:30 o'clock when
the party entered the ballroom, and were
soon enjoying themselves as much as
perfect floor, brilliant music and pleas
ant partners can make them.
Bertle's first dance with Dolly was
over. She had been very entertaining,
chatting merrily over the assembled com
pany, as if 1t were only an evenings ac
qualntance, seeming Oblivious of any
thing that might have been. He was de-
cdedly piqued, and determined to leave
early the next day. 80 his replies to her
sallles were stiff and laconic.
AS fresh dance struck up he remem-
bered that he was engaged for it to Mrs.
Trevor, and he was glad of il, for just
then he could talk better of years ago in
India than OF the present time.
will you sit it out?'' he asked, as he
claimed her; 'the room has become SO
warm"
Certainly" she acquiesced, "and am
little tired, too.''
SO he found her a nice nook where he
settled her comfortably, and then sank
Into seat by her side.
II was SO pleased to see you this even
ing" she said, Il had no idea [ was to
meet you; you little know what treat it
Is to me to meet people l knew as a girl,
for l am literally without any relatives,
as my dear old father died shortly after
my marriage. You must come and see
US on your return to town. l have three
babies, SO you will have to make their
acQ cQualntance?"
They talked Of many things and many
people, until at last Berthe touched on the
name of her lover of years gone by.
~ ou remember him?' he asked
~ es." she answered softly; 1--WE saw
by the papers that he fell at the storming
OF Candahar; you were his great friend, |
remember that"
Il was with him at the end" be said;
hesltated and then continued: His last
words were message, which 1 promised
to deliver should L ever have the chance,
and now, after years, the opportunity has
come"
"Hush!" she murmured, as she raised
her face and he saw her eyes were misty;
do not tell me- dc not wish TO hear it,"
"But-but, Mrs. Trevor" stammered
BERTHE, amazed, she is dead; he died six
years ago; 1t cannot matter now."
mo. no, of course not. know that"
she said, and. as she laid her hand upon
bis arm, little sob ran through her
laugh as she continued: You know, l
have old-fashoned notions; my friends
tell me it is one of my worst faults, but
you must forgive it. My husband is
very dear to me, so-so-I cannot let him
have rival, even in the thought of one
SO long passed away. But come, Captain
Martin" with change of tone, you will
be thinking me quite sentimental, and l
don't wish to get into the black books of
your partners" laughing. 'If l am not
mistaken l hear the opening bars of
waltz"
Without word he led her to the ball
room, and, with a very gentle smile and
look she never forgot he left her.
With Dolly was his next dance, with
Dolly were all his thoughts, and he felt
as II he were walking on the air. The
long-remembered distrust was dead for
ever; killed more powerfully by the old
fashioned words OF the woman he had
just quilted than by any means that even
Dolly could have devised.
And she? The night was fast wearing
away, the night that had now no back
ground, and her heart felt sick with pain
as she saw him cross the room to her
side. She was brave, but still she could
not summon smile as she dismissed her
partner; SO gently, without a word, took
his arm for her last dance.
"You do not want to dance this; will
you come out?" Bertie asked. But as she
raised her eyes to his and hesitated, he
said quite humbly: II want to ask you
something. Dolly. dear, do come."-The
Argosy.