The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1898-02-17

say you were fishing for compliments"
he rejoined. with the eager look that
came into most mems faces when Miss
Vane spoke to them. She glided off into
some small talk occasionally casting
a glance at Hunt to see what he was do
ing. He looked little disconsolately
round him for second or two. and
then drifted into a chair beside Mollie
Bentinck. pretty faced little girl of
IS, whose masses of light hair and inno-
cent, brown eyes were voted as charm
ing by some people, though the ma
jority of women complained that she
had no style.
Miss Vane smiled sweetly. "Cyril is
actually taking me at my word" she
said to herself. "How amusing. I am
glad he has selected such safe person,
though"
"What are you smiling at ?" said Capt.
Howard, beside her.
"Some men are so supplemented.
and they amuse me-"
"Is that intended to be personal?"
"No. don't think your worst enemy
would accuse you of being simple
minded"
"T hope not" he returned. fervently.
At bedtime Howard remarked with
an amused look as he bade Miss Vane
good night:
"Hunt seems quite gone in that quar-
ter. doesn't hep"
"Yes. How touching it is" she re-
piled, with smile.
81 am so glad he's going to amuse
himself" she said. when she got into her
room. putting down her candlestick
with bang on the table.
No doubt it was her delight at Hunts
finding some amusement to while away
the days that made Damaris lean her
chin on her hands, and stare fxedly at
nothing till very late hour.
Matters were much the same the next
day, when there was large riding par
ty to some distant ruin. Hunt rode
with Mollie Bentinck. who showed
wild desire to cling to her horses name.
and whose hair promptly came down,
owing to her incessant humping. 1t
must have been kindness and nothing
else on Miss Vane's part that made her
stop as she was cantering past. manag-
ing her lively mount to perfection. to
Because if so, you had better go
home," she said. 81 am sure Mr.. Hunt
will be Pleased to take you back"
Delighted, am sure" said that gen.
tleman. I'm fact, to put it selfishly.
should prefer going home. it's awfully
hot for riding"
Thus pressed, the couple rode off to-
gether. 1t was rather aggravating when
they all came in hot and tired after
their ride to find Cyril and Mollie stroll
ing about the garden. looking provok-
ingly cool and fresh.
1t was with a curious feeling that
Damaris found herself waiting under
the trees at the end of the week, hav-
ing dismissed Howard in search of
shawl she never had.
HE is sure to come" she kept on re-
peating to herself. II must give him
lCng enough; he is sure to come"
Which showed how very little chance
she really thought there was of Cyril
turning up. At last, just as she was
giving up hope, mans figure came
across the lawn, and she saw, with a
feeling of thankfulness, that it was the
one she was waiting for.
Il thought you We're never coming"
she said, starting forward.
Il hardly thought you would expect |
me to go through the form of coming"
he answered, gravely. "You have
shown me clearly enough that all is
over between u.s."
NO, indeed" she replied, hastily. |
1T is mistake. /"
'Stop!" he said. II must tell you
that it is all quite over between US. |
Mollie Bentinck has accepted me few
hours ago. You know we were both of |
US to be quite free"
"All IS indeed over Damaris replied,
quietly. 81 hope you will be happy!"
Thank you; and you, suppose. will |
marry Howard?"
Il suppose So" she said, as she moved
into the shadow, leaving Hunt to cross
the moonlit lawn alone.
Left alone in the darkness Damaris
stood motionless.
How false men are" she said. tear
ing rose she was wearing to pieces.
And | did care for him; it is no good
l didn't. | cared for him
more than l ever have or shall for
man, and this is my, reward! How
strange men are! Fancy his being
taken by little pink and white igno-
ramus like that. It's like the end of q
play. Model young lady marries model
young man, and for me there is only |
Capt. Howard. l don't love him, and l
did love Cyril; but, after all, don't
think anything matters much"
Footsteps came across the lawn, and
her hostess appeared.
"My dear Damaris, aren't you coming
IN? No one knew where you were.
Such excitement! Capt. Howard has
to leave tomorrow morning, and we
are all bewailing his departure. Come
ind bewail it, too. He has to go home
to join his fiancee."
His fancee! But didn't know he