The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-05-14
TWO ON A BALCONY.

tell you something" he replied, with dig
nifty "unly I've mover had a chance yet.
as it anything I've heard bcforeY'. she !
inquired susIiciously.
mo Something quite new. l dincd .
with my uncle Richard last night and he .
gave me some advice"
"How gcrcrousl Shall you take it,"
Needs must, you know" he quoted |
gloomily.
''Tho implied comparison is scarcely fiat
tering to your uncle Richard.
" Perhaps not, but you don't know the
provocation.
suppose you tell me thenY' she sug.
gestcd
"Hc says" complied John, with con.
tinucd gloom, chat have idled long
enough and that | had better get II yacht
or wife at once.
She curled her lip.
"How boorish of him not to put the wife
iirst!'
HE is yachtsman and unmarried"
said John
She closed her eyes, with an air of clos.
ing the subject too.
"If you may not have both, l should adj
wise the yacht"
John looked interested.
"Why? Don't you think married life
would suit lneg"
He caught CLEAN between her lashes.
81 was not thinking of you" she said,
and he rclapsed into n dignified silence
which lasted several seconds.
She resumed suddenly:
Did your uncle mention any names i1f
connection with your MARRIAGE
'He did, admitted John, with unabat-
cd dignity
Il
Eyes.
"Who?'
"Nliss Manners" The announcement
was made carelcssly.
Victoria Mannersn'
A wave of restored good humor swept
over the young mans face.
eyes, Victoria Manners. / told him
didn't like the color of her hair. But he
said it was Il frivolous objection and that
l might persuade her to alter it,
"What q good idea Just like painting
house. Which color shall you choosef''
81 hardly know" he replied doubtfully
81 thought perhaps YOU
She assumed less comfortable but more
obscrvant attitude.
John, you surely didn't say that
"No, no. Certainly notl" he interrupt
ed hastily. "Of course that was only chaff.
decided to travel instead. De Caz asked
mo last month to go to Africa with him
for some big game shooting We start at
the end of the week. So'-with great
assumption of cheerfulness-"un unless you
are likely to be at home tomorrow or
Thursday l must say goodby now"
Let me see. Tomorrow the Hcriots are
taking me to Richmond on their coach,
and the next day am going to Maiden
head Tor the week end
He stopped for his hat and stick.
well, then, l suppose
"Oh, nonscnse!' she said, waving II
slim, white hand. you needn't go yet
You have two whole days for your packing
Besides, / hear the rattle of teaspoons So
sit down again.
He dropped his hat and stick and re-
sumed his seat upon the camp stool, after
previously edging it an inch or two nearer
the wicker lounge Her eyes had a tinge
of sadness in them, he thought.
Are there any peacocks feathers in
African she asked presently, with the
| suspicion of sigh
"PeacocksI' he answered abstractedly
"No, l don't think SCAT least not in the
| part where we are going Any amount of
ostriches. Do you want feather for your
haiti"
! sHc sulu, WIFI tlllHlN
| yelled scorn. And don't want "A fcath.
er for my hat"
But aren't they unlucky? You're gen
orally pretty strong on that sort of thing. "
eyes, of course they're unlucky," she
said, with feeling of compassion for his
denscness. "That's just why l want them
to see if | can get all my bad luck over
at oncc''
bad luck?" he echoed wonderingly.
| II always considered you one of the very
luckiest girls in England!'
She looked tragic things ut the awning.
Because you don't know better. Do you
suppose l like to think that almost my
best friend is going away to be killed by
elephants and tigers, and eaten by mos.
Quitoes, and bitten by snakes, and-and
die of fevery"
Poor chap!" exclaimed John in awe
and sympathy, Then a light broke upon
him. "Oh, l say, do you mean me?"
She kept her eyes obstinatcly fixed upon
the red stripe in the awning.
/ "Of course l do, and you don't care a
bit You just sit and grin. Who is to take
me-oh, nywhere-whcn you are gomez
'Why," he said in amazement at this
sudden humility, "half London if you
want it-or Charlie Heriot."
A. pause ensued during which three
hanson cabs and milk cart drew up and
expressed to one another their sympathy
and interest. Her voice had II stifed sound
when next she spoke.
"Oh, John, do go back to the camp stool
l can hear the teaspoons just outside the
: door"
"Who caresi" he cried joyously.
81 do" she assured him, pointing to his
vacant seat. Besides what would your
uncle Richard sayg Is this following his
adyiceg'
Eyes" exclaimed John triumphantly
sit is. His last words to me yesterday
evening We're that you wouldn't refuse me
so often if wasn't fool; that he had nc
further use for ne, and that might mar
ry Victoria Manners and go to the'-
"Iea is served, if you please, miss, -
said the footman from the window. Mag
net Magazine.