Birmingham age-herald., 1895-03-21
THE HUMOR OF TT.

 aginings; then she would set her teeth and dress frenziedly for spell Clearly it was not easy to rehearse scene of reproach and scorn and to put in judicious hairpins si- multaneously. But she realized that per feet confidence in her own appearance might materially influence her courage when the moment for the scene came, and that the moment should come tonight and at the Havertons dance she was fully and desperately determined.
 Surely if ever man deserved punishment at the hands of woman that man was Ashby Eldon. He had behaved unforgivably.
 She had met him for tho first time at Nice in the early part of this winter She was there with an enervated aunt He was there on mere pleasure and had given her to understand that he had fled from hot house atmosphere of tiresome adulation in London to bathe his soul in pure sunshine. He had talked culture and personalities in perfect proportion. He had been charming, had worn striped linen, pointed beard and a smile of fascinating fatigue; he had del uged her with expensive flowers. At first these flowers had come with a mere card. A little later the card was often inclosed in a sealed envelope and covered with some suggestive little quotation from the French or German poets
 Still later the flowers had come without a word, bearing their own message, and when he noted spray or two in her dress he would perhaps steady his eyes on hers for a moment. hold her hand the fraction of a second too long for mere convention or tell her in a thousand wordless ways that she was a charming woman in his eyes, and that he knew she knew it. And never hint or sign of his engagement to that Miss TrevorsI It was incomprehensi- ble-unspeakable
 If he had not mentioned by chance that Lady Haverton was his aunt, if on her re- turn from Nice she had not taken enormous lead her talk on to Ashby Eldon, she might have dwaddled in her fools paradise to the day of his wedding announcement.
 Well, the days of woman's 'silent suffer. ings' were over now, thank heaveni She had been reading a striking article on this theme in some magazine only last week. A woman was no longer a mans prey-she was his equal, his rival, and tonight she would prove it. She would speak her mind honestly, grandly, without flinching. She foresaw every detail of the interview. He would be standing in the doorway of the ballroom when she arrived. She would pass him by He would speak to her. and she would raise her eyebrows in calm surprise, answering in icy terms But he should write his name on her programme. and when his dance came around she would ask to sit it out. Silently she would lead the way to an empty room-the little boudoir at the back of the conservatory. And then
 How she would tear him with her weap ~fr ox1A af o1ro him feel like a cur.
 The hottest words seemed insufficient punishment when she thought what suffer ing he might have caused her! It was the merest chance that she had not lost her heart to him-the merest chance. Why did the face in the glass twitch as she said thati She would say 1t again and say it out loud. It was the purest piece of luck that she had not fallen in love with Ashby Eldon. He had done his best He was a brute. Yes, he was. She didn't care. He was.
 How bideous red eyelids could make one look! They took all the poetry out of white cheeks. Why had she been the fool to choose her pink silk for tonight? And what would it matter if she wore green baize' Hateful worldi
 It was packed at the Havertons' Eleven o'clock and he was not there.
 She danced great deal.
 Half past Il and he was not there.
 She sat out a great deal.
 Half past 12 and he was not there.
 She was getting too tired to smile.
 She must go home now.
 Good night. Lady Haverton-a delight ful evening" Yes, she was feeling little tired. Good night once more and out on to the staircase.
 Merciful powersi There he came-slowly, possessedly-in the old way. Quick What was she going to say at the very first-oh. whata
 Miss Feardonl an unexpected pleasurel'
 A wave seemed to wash over her brain She took his proffered hand, and her eyes fell for one second. Then she looked up with brilliant society smile Her old resolutions lay about her in ruins. A com pletely different set of emotions had taken possession of her-unconsciously, unques, tioningly.
 ''Ah, you are back in the vortex. Mir Eldon-the dear old vortexr'
 "Yesr' A faint suspicion of awkward ness spoiled his usually perfect manner. "Yes, am just de retour. How kind oi people to give these little soirees at this time of the year-when there is positively no other way of getting warmp
 And I am ungrateful enough to be run. ming away now. There is so much going on deces jours-isn't there?"
 But you will give me few words be fore you goS Come down stairs and let us drink to the memory of dear old Nicel And-and have news"
 Your engagement and was forgetting my congratulations. He took breath. "How unpardonable of me, but really SC many of my friends have taken the fatal step just lately Pm getting quite confused. Is your fiancee here?''
 No, unfortunately"
 "Ah, my misfortune. am sure. Well, it leaves me something to look forward to. Good night, MT. Eldon, and bien des choses