Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1899-03-16
TWO NIGHTS IN JUNE

The words echoed idly in Brunton'a mlnd, as, escaping by favor of q 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 a 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. 1edged, 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 to Mrs. Derrick's At Home" had been a 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 so doing.
 Taking out a cigar he lit a nfat>h. which a sportive zephyr playfully eX. tinguished. Among the shadows hid rustic arbor, and stepping inside the shelter of it's doorway he struck q fresh gleam. Flaring up brightly it re. vealed, huddIed up close to the back wall of the arbor, shrinking girl lsh form.
 For one startled moment his keen gray eyes looked amazement into frightened blue ones.
 Why, by love! Oh! I say" he ejac- ulated ineonsequently
 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, l say, that should be a bond of union between us. for sc did I.''
 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 a 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 I heard some one coming, and ran in here till he should go past, and yod caught me-
 Wont you come out and walk again?" He was longing to see her. The darkness of the summer-house was tantalizing, and chivalry rebelIed at the rudeness of striking another light.
 And you will smoke?" she asked, rising, in reply to his query, and walking to the door.
 "No, thanks, don't care to now. Suppose we stroll roundY
 The starlight that revealed to Sylvia a soldierly form with short cropped dark hair, and a quite perceptible mustache, showed Brunton a petite figure, whose robe of shimmering white satin draped loosely from thu old lace that outlined it's square-cut bodice, a string of pearls round the slender neck the only ornament.
 For a 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 his 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 Sylyias first party, that she was an orphan, and lived with her grand mamma. That at that moment her 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 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 doc $ at night beforep'
 Not even to a theatre?'
 "No.''
 Poor little girl! I say!"-struck by l sudden tdea-'your guardian will be some time over whist won't sheY
 "Why, yes. The game has just be gun. and they won't finish under 3 rubber"
 well, suppose I take you some, where for halt an hour or so-to a theatre or music hall? My cab is watt.