Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1899-02-01
TWO NIGHTS IN JUNE

TWO NIGHTS IN JUNE
 The words echoed idly In Brunton'a mind, as, escaping by favor of French easement from the crowded re- ception room, he found himself in the pleasanee. Softly the thrill of the dis tant music rose and fell upon the still air Less tunefully sounded the nearer hum of conversation and laughter, the vague yearning for sympathy that had lain like q cord round his heart all day gripped him close. Then an affected laugh stung in his ear, and Brunton turned afresh toward solitude.
 Brunton was young; his soul, 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 the lack of near relatives to fuss and weep over his departure. His coming ta Mrs. Derrick's "At Home had beGH mistake, too. Having a few houva to fill in, he had come with tke Idea that it would pass the time pleasantly. Now he felt annoyed at his folly in so doing.
 Taking out cigar he lit a mSteh which a sportive zephyr playfully ex tinguished. Among the shadows hid rustic arbor, and stepping inside tue shelter of it's doorway he struck fresh gleam. Flaring up brightly 1t res vealed, huddled up close 50 the back wall of the arbor, a shrinking girl ish form
 For one startled moment his keeH gray eyes looked amazement inta frightened blue ones.
 "Why, by love! Oh! say" he ejac- ulated inconsequeRtly.
 The childish face, set in an aureole Of golden hair, raised appealingly to his.
 "Oh, please, please, don't tell any body. I only came out here to get away from the people"
 Did you? Well, I 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 any body about my coming out here. 1t would seem so rude to Mrs. Derrick, you know"
 Not a soul, honor bright. But sure Iy you didn't leave the house to crouch up here in the dark?"
 "Oh, no! It was lovely among the stars and flowers and things; then l heard some one coming, and ran in here till he should go past, and yoa caught me-
 Wont you come out and walk againY He was longing to see her. The darkness of the suinmer-house was tantaliZing, and chivalry rebelled ht the rudeness of striking anotheR light
 And you will smoker" she asketE rising, in reply to his query, and walking to the door.
 No, thanks, I don't care te ROW. Suppose we stroll roundT' The starlight that revealed to Sylvia a soldierly form with short-cropped dark hair, and a quite perceptible' mustache, showed Brunton petite white satin draped loosely from the old lace that outlined its square-cut bodice, string of pearls round the slender neck the only ornament.
 For moment convention triumph. ed and they were bashful together. Thereafter the influence of the June night prevailed. and they inclined to confidence. Before they had complete ly encircled the lawn Sylvia knew that Brunton was a soldier, that tomorrow he would sail for India to join bis regiment. "P. and O., China, awfully jolly deck cabin to myself" And ere they emerged from the long archway of roses Brunton knew that this was Sylvias first party, that she was an orphan, and lived with her grand mamma. That at that moment hex grandmamma was playing whist in Mrs. Derrick's ante-room; that Sylvia herself passed endless evenings play ing whist with grandnamma,
 And you have never been any wherep' This pftyingly, from the height of his experiences which were Iyet to come.
 No, never. We always go to For lquay 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 beforeH
 Not even to q theatref
 "No'
 Poor little girl! I sayr-struck by ! sudden idea-''your guardian will bal some time ever whist, won't she?"
 "Why, yes. The game has just be< gun, and they von't finish under a rubber"
 Well, suppose I take you somex where fer half an hour CT soto q Theatre CT music hall? My cab is watt- ling"
 "Ohw A gasp of delight followed by the inevitable, But would 1t not be wrongY and .'I can't go dressed like ltAis"
 Manlike, Brunton rode rough-shed over both scruples.
 "Oh, nobody will k4ow. Wait here moment while I run to the house and forage for wraps
 Leaving Sylvia in the safe seclusien of the arbor, he vanished, returning speedily clad in light topeoat and crush hat. and bearing hevy cloak of yel- vet and furs.
 sHrbatw breathed Sylvia in a horri-