Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-02-02
TWO NIGHTS IN JUNE

! The words echoed idly in Brunton's j
mind, as. escaping by favor of ii
French easement from the crowded re-
ception room. he found himself in the
/ pleasance. Softly the thrill of the dis
tant music rose and fell upon the still
air. Less tunefully sounded the nearer
hum of conversation ard laughter, tho
vague yearning for sympathy that had
lain like cord round his heart all day
grlpped him close. Then an affected
laugh stung in bis ear, and Brunton
turned afresh toward solitude.
Brunton was young; his sorl, new
fiedged, was immature, nebulous, and
his emotions still of the crudeSt. Yet
as he looked 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 first
time he felt constrained to mourn tho
lack of near relatives to fuss and weep
over his departure. His coming tn
| Mrs. Derrick's AT Home" had been
Il mistake, too. Having few hourS
| to fill in, he had come with the idea
that it would pass the time pleasantly.
Now he felt annoyed at his folly in so
doing.
Taking out cigar he lit a match.
which Il sportive zephyr playfully eA-
tinguished. Among the shadows hid o
rustic arbor. and stepping inside the
shelter of its doorway he struck Il
fresh CLEAN. Flaring up brightly it re
vealed, huddled up close to the back
wall of the arbor, Il shrinking girl
| ish form.
For one startled moment his keen
gray eyes looked amazement into
frightened blue ones.
"Why, by Jove! Oh! say" he ejac
ulated inconsequently.
The childish face, set in an aureole of
golden hair, raised appeaingly to his.
"Oh, please, please, don't tell any
body. | only came out here to get
away from the people"
Did you? Well, l say, that should
! he 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 any
body about my coming out here. It
would seem so rude to Mrs. Derrick,
you know"
Not soul honor bright. But sure
ly 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 /
heard some one coming. and ran in
here till he should 90 past, and yoh
caught me-"
Wont you come out and walk
again?" He was longing to see her.
The darkness of the summer-housa
was tantalzing, and chivalry rebelled
mt the rudeness of striking another
light
And you will smoker she asked,
rising, in reply to his query, and
walking to the door.
NO, thanks, l don't care to now.
Suppose we stroll roundt"
The starlight that revealed to Sylvia
a soldierly form with short-croppea
dark hair, and IA quite perceptible
mustache, showed Brunton petite
figure, whose robe of shimmeriny
white satin draped loosely from tina
old lace that outlined its square-cut
bodice a string of pearls round the
slender neck the only ornament.
For a moment convention triumph
ed and they We're bashful together.
thereafter the influence of the June
night prevailed. and they inclined to
confidence. Before ,ney had complete
ly encircled the lawn Sylvia knew that
Brunton WAS a soldier. that tomorrow
he would sail for India to join his
regiment. "P. find o., China, awfully
jolly deck cabin to myself" And ere
they emerged from the long archway
of roses Brunton knew that this was
Sylvia's first party, that she was an
orphan, and lived with her grand
mamma. That at that moment her
grandmamlna was playing whist in
Mrs. Derrick's ante-room; that Sylvia
herself passed endless evenings play
ing whist with grandn ANNA
And you have never been any
where" This pltyingly, from the
height of his experiences which were
yet to come.
NO. never. We always go to Tor
quay in winter. but that's nearly just
the same as being at home Do YOU
know. I've never, never once been out
of doors at night beforew
Not even TO n theatre!'
mo"
"Poor little girl. | say"-struck by
A sudden idea-''your guardian will be
some time over whist, won't she?"
why. yes. The game has lust be.
gun, and they Won't finish under a
rubber
well, suppose | take you some,
where for haI an hour or soto !.
theatre or music hail? My cab is wait
ing"
"Ohr' A gasp of delight followed by
the inevitable, But would it not b,
wrong?' and Il can't go dressed like
his"
Manlike, Brunton rode rough shod
! over both scrupios.
"Oh, nobody will * ,ow. Wait hera
a moment while | run to the house and
forage for wraps"
Leaving Sylvia in the safe seclusion
of the arbor, he vanished, returning
speedily clad in lght topcoat and crush
hat, and bearing hevy cloak of vel
vet and furs.
"That.' breathed Sylvia. in a horri.
led whisper, when he showed his spoil,
,.tIT hppttrbt p,.o ,I,,,, , ..