The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-06-15

you were rather over hasty just now.
You have, l fear. sent that young fellow
away under mistaken Impression"
II, Colonelp' she faltered, flushing
painfully. II only"
My dear, / overheard few words
unintentionaliy of cOurse-which made
me think it is time we came TO an under
standing, you and /. He paused q mo-
ment as though to give her time to re-
cover herself, and then added abruptly:
Your mother made you promise that
you would marry as wishedn'
Yes, l promised"
= Very slowly the words came, and she
spoke with her eyes bent on the ground.
The Colonel. meantime, watched her in
tently.
And you thought foolish child, that
your wishes were not to be considered in
the matter? That was hardly fair to me,
Minnie"
MY mother said-that it was your
wish and hers; that she had wronged you
ana must atone. She made me prom.
iSe-0
"a great many foolish things, as was
her customw he said impatiently. why,
she made me promise that would ask
you to marry me. Will you?'
IF you wish" she began, but he in
terrupted her with quick laugh.
but | don't, my dear; not now.
must keep my promise, that's all. II
would be no atonement. child, to spoil
two lives instead of one. What can your
mother have been thinking of? But you
advice is-call back young Myerson and
tell him there's been little misunder-
standing somewhere; or wait-he's out
here. I'll do it myself"
And, without allowing her time to say
anything against this proposal, Colonel
Leigh stepped out to the terrace. He
paused moment and looked up and
down. Jack was standing at some little
distance leaning moodily against the bal
ustrade that parted the terrace from the
grassy slope beyond.
The peaceful moonlight shone all
around him. the merry dance-music
sounded in his ears; but in Jacks heart
there was neither peace nor mirth, only
perplexity and grief, and disappoint-
ment. The blow had been so unlocked
for, so totally unexpected! In a few mo-
ments he would pull himself together and
return to the noise and the crowd of the
garish drawing-room; but just for min
ute
The Colonel walked up to him hastily
and laid his hand on his shoulder
Il want your attention one moment
Mr.. Myerson, if you please" he said
gravely.
Jack looked up with a very visible
effort to pull himself together. His
face was white and haggard in themoon-
light.
Colonel Leigh" he CALCULATED. Pm
at your service"
You have. understand, been making
an offer of marriage to my ward, Miss
Brender?"
Il have; though how you come to know
it,
81 was in the library and fortunately
overheard few words"
fortunately" Jack echoed bitterly.
Eyes, fortunately" the Colonel re-
peated emphatically; "for it enables me to
put things straight; to explain certain
heard my ward refuse you, and l heard
the reason that she gave"
"She told me she was already en-
gagged"
$40 you? She did not say so, but I
suspected it," The younger man looked
at him for moment in silence. you
have not explained much to my satisfac-
ton yetv' he added bitterly.
mo. There has been a great deal of
misrepresentation. and it is time we I'M
derstood each other. Minnie. despite her
assertion to the contrary. is not engaged
to me. and never has been, though she
promised her mother to marry me if 1
wished it. Well, don't wish i'll" and he
drew long breath. 1.-THE girl is free,
free as air-or would be but for one small
consideration"
And that is-''
waiting In the library there, TO tell you
so. There he goes, off like shot; and so
ends-what never had beginning, save
il one old FOOLS fancy. All, weil,o
and the Colonel passed his hand over his
brow with weary gesture. hes good
fellow, and gentleman and all one
hears OF him is to his credit. A good
sort, not like the sister. l couldn't wish
q better fate for little Minnie!'
Yes, the Colonel was satisfied, and if
life seemed to him drearier than he had
thought to find it of late years, he was not
the man to complain. Then suddenly he
saw q stately figure crossing the terrace
towards him, and recognized Constance.
What was she after now? he wondered.
And Constance herself Immediately an
swered his question.
II was just looking for YOU" she said.
as she paused beside him. "Oh. Colonel.
l can't tell you how sorry am!"
''What, don't those engravings? Never
mind. pll see them another time"
''Oh, didn't mean them. I meant
But you ought to see for yourself, though,
perhaps Why did you not wait for me
in the library" she asked abruptly.
because other people seemed to have
more need OF it than l had, he replied
slowly.
"Other people? You mean-'
"My ward and your brother, yes"
"Oh, it is shameful of her to treat Won
soi a haartless little firth,
miss Myerson," he said sternly. "you
must not say such things OF my ward.
Your brother is there with my knowl-
edge and consent. 1 sent him to herr
''But-you are making too much of a
foolish f1irtation!" Constance CRIED in dis
may. ~She didn't mean any harm, l am
sure. She knew it was only jack"
Eyes; and she finds him quite enough
to satisfy her; SO we need not distress
ourselves on their account"
'.Or our OWN" she asked spitefullv.
cor our own" and he smiled. "You
have done your best, and-and I thank
you."
With which enigmatical words he left
her and strOlled off down the terrace
All the Year Round.
For the RECoRD-UNIoN.l
THE GRAVE OF A LOST HOPE.