The evening times., 1898-11-21
TWO NIGHTS IN JUNE.

mind, as, escaping by favor of French
easement from the crowded reception
room, he found himself in the pleasance-
Softly the thrill of the distant music rose
and fell upon the still air. Less tunefully
sounded the nearer hum of conversation
and laughter. CHANGING back toward the
lighted windows. the vague yearning for
sympathy that had lain like a cord round
his heart all day gripped him close. Then
an affected laugh stung his ear. and Brun-
ton turned afresh toward solitude. Under
his feet lay the smooth grass of the trim
lawn. Overhead was the blue-black sum-
mer sky, star-fecked and cloudless Low
er the fairy lights, red, green and gold,
twinkled like jewels among the dark foii-
age. About him hung the fragrance of
heliotrope.
Brunton was young; his soul, new-ftedg-
ed was immature, nebulous, and his emo
tions still of the crudest Yet as he look
ed skyward his spirit sunk at the thought
of leaving so much beauty and sweetness
for-he knew not what. Tomorrow he
would leave England to join his regiment,
and few seemed TO know or care. For the
iISl llIiiS ne ltIl NpHSti " AA'O'i -
the lack of near relatives to fuss and
weep over his departure His coming
TO Mrs. Derrick's lat home had been
mistake, too. Having a few hours to NIL
in, he had come with the idea that 1t
would pass the time pleasantly. Now he
felt annoyed at his folly in so doing.s
Taking out a cigar he lit match,
which a sportive zephyr playfully ex-
| tinguished Among the shadows hid
| ty..-f fTs tHn hal
ter of its doorway he struck a fresh
gleam Flaring up brightly it revealed,
| huddled up close TO the back wall of the
arbor, shrinking girlish form.
For one startled moment his keen,
gray eyes looked amaZement into fright
ened blue ones.
why, by Joye, Oh. say" he ejacu-
| lated inconsequently.
The childish face set in an aureole OF
golden hair. raised appealingly to his.
! oh please please don't tell anybody
| / only came out here to get away from
| the people"
Did you? Well. / say, that should be
| bond of union between us for so did l.
| The dying flicker of the wax match
saw an expression of relief cross the
/ girls face. And you won't tell anybody
about my coming out here. 1t would seem
so rude to Mrs. Derrick, you know"
Not a soul. honor bright. But surely
you didn't leave the house TO crouch up
| here in the dark?"
"Oh, no! 1t was lovely among the
stars and flowers and things then 1
| heard some one coming. and ran in here
| till he should go past and so you caught
| me-"
He could tell that she was smiling a
| little now, though there was still little
| hesitating catch in her voice.
Wont you come out and walk again?"
He was longing to see her The dark
ness of the summerhouse was tantalizing,
and chivalry rebelled at the rudeness of
striking another light.
And you will smoke" she asked. ris-
ing. in reply 10 his query. and walking
| 10 the door
NO thanks. I don't care to now. Sup
pose We stroll round
The starlight that revealed 10 Sylvia a
soldierly form. with short-cropped dark
| hair. and quite percepubIe moustache.
showed Brunton petite figure, whose
robe of shimmering white satin draped
its s---ir-cut bodice. a string of pearls
around the slender neck the only orna-
ment
For 2 moment convention triumphed
and they were bashful together. There
after the influence of the June night pre-
vailed, and they inclined 10 confidence.
Before they had completely encircled the
lawn Sylvia knew that Brunton was a
| soldier; that tomorrow he would sail for
India 10 join his regiment "P and o..
| China, awfully jolly deck cabin TO my
| self And ere they emerged from the
| long archway of roses Brunton knew that
| this was Sylyia's first party: that she
Was an orphan and lived with her grand
| mamma. That a that moment her grand
4 amy, 81.
| rick awing-room: that Sylvia
herself passed endless evenings pIavinc
whist with grandmamma, Mrs Dawson
| ,the compaionl and a dummy Also that
a look in grandmamma's eye which seem
ed 10 Sylvia TO hold a suggestion thar
IN the event of no better partner being
forthcoming Sylvia might be called upon
to make up a set had led to Sylvia's tax
ing refuge in the garden: thus showing
that out of her narrower life the woman
had the more to tell
And you have never been anywhere,'
This pityingly, from the height of his
experiences which were yet to come.
No. never We always go to Toruuay
in winter, but that's nearly Just the same
: as being at home. Do you know. Fve
; never, never once been out of doors al
night before?'
Not even to theater?"
No"
Poor little girl! I say Cstruck by {
sudden idea) your guardian will be som,
time over whist, won't she?''
f. Why. yes; the game has just begun
| and they won't finish under a rubber -
: Well. suppose | take you somewher,
Tor haif an hour or soto a theater o
2 music hall? My cab is waiting"
r OH gasp of delight. followed b,
the inevitable. But would it not b,
wrong? and II can't go dressed lik,
, this"
r Manlike. Brunton rode rough-shed owe
both scruples.
''Oh, nobody will know. Wait here ;
moment while run to the house and for
age for wraps"
Leaving Sylvia in the safe sec-usion o
the arbor, he vanished, returning speediI
clad in light topcoat and crush hat an,
, bearing a heavy cloak of velvet and furs
That preached Sylvia. in a horrifie
whisper when he showed his spoil '.Why
, you've brought grandmamma' sab
mantle,''
''oh, that's all right. so long as it's bi
enough" replied her fellows, nner. wit
= a mans easy indifference to aueht bu
: utility.
!, And to the encomrassing capacit
of the matter there could be no d. ubt
Swallowed up therein, all that was visibl
of Sylvia was 4 pair of wonderful b u
eyes and a fluff of golden hair at one en-
and two tiny white satin slippers at tn
other
To Sylvia the hanson was a chariC
: sent direct from fairyland for her cor
: veyance TO some enchanted world Th
e gayety and glitter of the London nig1
: delighted and amazed her. At Piccadill
|. Circus Sylvia was entranced. in Leicest
| | Ia uyba