The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1896-11-05

ND hC hsblolcu ucT 10 Might.
"De you see that?" said Miss Du-
chesne.
Cora burst into tears and hurried
from the room, just AS Miss Bucking-
ham entered from an opposite portal,
all smiles, followed by Mr. Chester
| ton.
"Where is Cora?" said the brunette,
| airily. II hope her headache is bet
ter. We have had such = delightful
morning at the picture gallery, Duke
| and ii And We have brought home
some exquisite cut-howers to arrange
for dinner. Where are they, Duke?
Bring them in hero. ! am sure Cora
will excuse us for invading her bou-
doir."
But Miss Duchesne did not return
fair Ariadne's smiles. She gathered
up her knitting, made some curt re-
ply about desiring to be alone and
stalked out of the room.
"Cross old thing !, "pouted Ariadne.
'One would almost imagine, Duke,
that you were her lover, and that she
was jealous"
She laughed shrill, sweet tinkle of
sound. Marmaduke Chesterton
laughed also. All that Ariadne Buck
ingham did or said wns perfect in his
eyes.
Miss Buckingham's father had lost
his all in unfortunate ventures, and
Ariadne had been brought up on an
income of nothing per annum.
Everyone pitied poor Ariadne. who,
nevertheless, was always exquisitely
dressed, went everywhere, and lived,
metaphorically speaking, on the fat OF
the land.
She had written to Cora Leslie, her
mothers cousin, that she would like
to spend winter in Philadelphia, and
Cora, full of sweet, womanly compass
sion, had promptly sent money for
her to come.
II never had sister," wrote Cora,
"And am sure that shall love you
dearly"
And it was thus that Ariadne had
rewarded her. The old story over
again of the serpent who stings its
benefactor.
But, although Cora had been blind,
the rest of the world, like Miss Ouch
esne, we're more clear-sighted.
Colonel Vavason, Mr.. Chesterton's
uncle, took him sternly to task for his
detection from the line of equity.
DUKE" said the colonel, II may
be little old-fashioned, but all this
looks to me like piece of first-class
villainyl Miss Leslie has neither
father nor brother to interfere in her
behalf She is jewel among wom-
en-, and that Buckingham girl is a
heartless firt! u
Duke laughed.
"My dear uncle" said he, lyon
take things too seriously. Cannot all
engaged man So much as look at other
women"
But one day, in blossomy May,
Colonel vavason's card was brought
up to Miss Leslie.
Cora was preparing to go out with
Miss Duchesne for a drive. She was
full of bright happiness that morning.
and even Miss Duchesne breathed
more freely, for Ariadne Buckingham
had left them the night before, in re-
sponse-so at least she gave them to
understand-to a telegram from her
father, who was ill. The nightmare
dream is over at last-all the world
was Mayl
Cora ran down into the drawing
room, where Colonel Vavason leaned
against the mantel, tall, pale and
handsome.
"Ob, colonel" she said brightly,
II am SO glad to see you! Duke is
coming at two o'clock to-"
But she paused as her eyes fell on
his pale features, the look of mute
horror in his eyes.
Duke will never come here again,
said he, in low tone. "Be heroine,
Cora. Bear your trouble braveiy.
Duke went away before daylight he
lett note. asking me to tell you. He
loves Ariadne Buckingham. and has
followed her so her rNhome!"
And SO Cora Leslie closed the chap
ter of her first love-or, rather, Mar
maduke Chesterton closed it for her.