The Louisiana populist., 1897-04-02

Through the temptation to be CO.
quettish with her lover they had part
ed, and it was q question which was
the most miserable, Mary Derwent-
water, who had trifled with his love, or
Henry Ashton, now wandering abroad
in search of forgetfulness.
Ashton went forth upon the world
an altered, almost misanthropic man.
His hopes were withered, his first
dream of love had vanished, he felt as
If there was nothing for him 20 live
for in this world. His mind became
almost diseased. He lolthed society.
then he veered to the other extreme
and craved after excitement. He
sought relief in travel. Like the IA
bled victim in the olden legend. he
spent years in the vain search after
that Lethe whose waters are reserved
for death alone. He found it not.
And Mary, too, was changed. She
rose from that bed Of sickness IN al
tered being. Never had she known the
full depth of her affection until the
moment when she found herself desert
ed. The shock almost killed her, and
though she recovered after long and
weary sickness, it was to discard all
her old habits and to assume q quieter,
yet, oh! how far more beautiful de-
meanOr than in her days of unmiti-
gated joy. She felt that Henry was
lost to her forever, yet she derived 4
melancholy pleasure in living as if the
eye of her absent lover was upon her.
She directed her whole conduct SO as
to meet his appreciation. Alas! he was
far away; she had not heard from him
for years; perhaps, too, he might be
no more; then why this constant refer
ence of all she did to his standard of
excellence? 1t was her deep abiding
love that did it all.
-Four years had passed when Ash
ton found himself again in America,
and, sitting, after dinner, with one of
his most intimate friends at the table
of the - hotel. For some time the
bottle passed in silence. At length mis-
companion spoke.
'You have not seen Mary Derwent.
water yet, have you, Harry?'
Ashton answered calmly, with fore
ed effort, in the negative.
"You must not positively delay it
, Do you know how beautiful she has
grown?-far more beautiful than when
you went away. although you thought
her surprisingly lovely" He paused
81 have not heard from the family
for years." said Ashton at length. feel
ing that his companion expected some
reply.
"Then you know nothing Of her
push us some of the almonds-why
dear fellow, she is irresistible But she
Is different from what she used to be
her beauty is softer, though not sc
snowy, and whereas she once would
flirt q little-mind, only a little, for she
Is a great favorite Of mine-she now
goes by the name of the cold beauty
A married man. like myself, can speal
q little warmly, you know, withou
fear Of having his heart called in a!
the bribe of bis head. And do yol
know that my wife suspects you O
having worked the reformation ?'-Ash
| ton started, and was almost thrown
off his guard--"for it began immediate
ly after long illness that happened I
few weeks after you sailed"
| Ashton was completely bewildered
Pe had now for the first time hear(
Of Mary's sickness. His eye wander
ed from that Of his companion, ant
he felt his cheek flushing in spite O
himself. He covered his embarrass
ment, however, by rising. His com
panion continued:
land now, Harry, let us stroll dowl
Broadway, for, to tell the truth, l prom
! ised my wife to bring you home witt
me. Besides, Mary is there, and I'v
no doubt" he continued, no doubt,
he continued, jocularly, "you are dyin;
to meet her.
Ashton could not answer, but he fol
lowed his friend into the street, con
scious that Mary and he must meet
and feeling that the sooner it was don
the better His companion, durin
! their walk, ran on his usual gay style
but Harry scarcely heard word tina
was said. His thoughts were full O
his cousin. Had she, indeed, becom
cold to all other men from love q
himself? Strange and yet deliciou
thoughts whirled through his mint
| and he woke only from his abstractio
on 1nding himself in the presence {
his cousin, In Seacaur1's drawing
room.
] Mary was on visit to Mrs. Sc;
court and did not know.Of Ashton's il