The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1898-01-06

The unexpected, however, always hap
pens, and in accordance with this trite
but true saying the gallant soldier fell
an easy victim.
The whole affair was absurd, he
knew. The mere idea that he, Dick
Tremayne, heir t. his brothers title
and IN acknowledged eligible in the
matrimonial market, should ever give
IA serious thought to his siSter-in-law's
pretty goyerneSS q in itself, ridicu-
lous. Nevertheless, it was a very pleas
ant pastime, in the dusky evenings out
o the moollit terrace, to Saunter along
with the prettiest girl he had eve met.
The few days Of his leave fled by swift
1y, and to Joyce Cardew they were
laden with sweet memories, while
Dick himself was really, unfeignedly
sorry as the time drew near for his de-
parture to join his regiment, which vas
going out to India.
One evening. when the scent of the
roses filled the cool air with fragrance
and the night breeze sighed in the pop
lars ON the lawn, he came very near to
destruction.
They were on the terrace, looking
down into the somber darkness Of the
plantation, where shafts of silver
moonlight pierced the black shadows
and threw fantastic shapes ON the lawn
beyond.
They were silent, and Dick looked
furtively at his companions sweet
face, spiritual:zed by the mystic
moonlight: her blue eyes shone darkly
in her pale face, and the hair, which
J was the envy Of many, dusky auburn
: in color and curling distra ctingly over
her shapely head, made a picturesque
framing to her delicate loveliness.
Presently, he spoke suddenly and
with vehemence Taking her hand in
his, intoxicated by her loneliness and
the strange influence of the stiffness,
he murmured words which brought a
bright flood of color to her cheeks and
a glad light into her eyes = then
x .
Joyce. Are you there"
Lady Tremayue'S voice broke the
magic spell, and he dropped her hand:
they turned to the house and Joyce
went in.
Can you write those few notes for
me?" said Lady Tremayne, not motto
ing the girls brilliant eyes and the un-
usual color iG her soft cheeks. and
Joyce, writing at the table in the Ii
brary. her heart beating fast and the
light still in her sweet eyes, lived over
again those few dangerously sweet
moments.
Presently voices on the terrace caus-
ed her to start; it was his voice and
the other? Roger Temple, her lady
ships cousin.
The two men were sauntering up and
down in the dusky GOODNESS.
Pretty! L Should think so, indeedw
said Temples voice. Are you cutting
in at the last moment. old fellow?"
mot l." said Dicks voice, with a
laugh; though ! nearly did for myself
just now; she looked so confoundedly
pretty, don't you know, and goodness
only knows what was saying-what 1
might have said-if Grace hadn't come
out just in the rick Of time. Uncommon
name. Joyce, isn't it? After all, one
must amuse ones self in a place like
this, and la petite does charmingly
pour passer lie temps. Let us go in"
The voices died away into silence as
the men Joined Lady Tremayne in the
drawing-room. Joyce sat sat on still
and cold; the pile Of finished notes be-
fore her. The candle burnt down, and
INVENT out with 8 splutter, and still she
fAsat In the dark. where later on Lady