The Saint Paul globe., 1899-03-12
lord Veau1oir'S Mistake.
CHAPTER I.


| She had the best band, the prettiest women,
the costliest flowers to be had for love and
money.
At IL o'clock the ball was in full swing;
even enjoyable, there were two young people
in the ballroom who seemed hardly to par
ticiEate in the general gaiety.
Lillian Vaughan stood leaning against the
window that opened into the balcony, and
though her eyes were fixed on the fan she
opened and shut nervously, she quite
conscious of a pair of eyes watching her from
no great distance pair of eager, anxious
eyes
They belonged to Sir Philip Fairfax who
was standing outside under the awning, with
his arms folded across his chest, and moody,
dissatisfied look on his otherwise handsome
face.
AS the opening bars of a new waltz rang
out, an interchange Of partners took place;
but no one came to claim Miss Vaughan, and
neither she nor Sir Philip stirred till the
dancers were again Whirling round then he
moved.
WELL Lilian," he whispered; what answer
are you going to give me? Stay-don't speak,
come out here
a chair forward as she followed him out; she
threw herself into it With a sigh of impa-
tience.
'You promised, Lillian, that you would give
me an answer tonight
"Oh, yes! know did; and now am not
ready. You must give me longer-I-you
don know what you ask.
Don't II" He laughed a short dry laugh
Il think dol ask you to be my wife"
Lillian blushed little at the subdued pas
sion in his voice.
You speak plainly, at all events. Fancy if
anyone heard US! Are you quite sure you love
me?'
Lillian, can you doupt it?'@
Il never thought you really serious, and, to
tell you the truth she said, laughing little,
Il cannot quite imagine you married. Could
you really be faithful to one?"
Faithful as a dog to his master!'
That's hardly an answer Dogs have no
power of reasoning, and you-well, you might
very soon reason away my charms"
I love, it is"
And what will you do about Nelly
Temple?" she broke in, quickly as she looked
at him with a smile.
over which he had been leaning, and gazed
out into the square
Il don't think you ought to say such things;
it's not worthy Of you"
MY dear Sir Philip 1 am no longer seven
teen, but twenty-five. Many women would be
very proud of your alteration, and 1 am not
sure that should not be proud of being called
Lady Fairfax. But-but-are YOU not rather
Eastern in your ideas? In England, at least
you should be off with the old love-you know
the rest"
You imply that you are woman of the
world Nelly Temple has nothing to complain
lIeS-duO
at an end"
Quite so; but then don't talk to me of
love, wheh SO many others have heard the
same story from your lips"
Lillian, you know, you must know, there is
love and love. 1 swear to you that my
feeling for you is sacred. have broken with
my old life; don't drive me back to it, Do you
not believe love you?"
"You think you do, am sure of that. Why.
do not know. Perhaps because it is a new
Oaf hrcr 1ilxn oo
spring water after neat brandy like smelling
at violet after a gardenia; but, dear. Sir
Philip, believe me, you prefer the fine cham
payne and the exotic and I should soon be
thrown aside like hu1rbler friends"
mo; not if you wished
MY will is not sufficient"
There was a silence after these words
Philip Fairfax felt himself more poWerless
than he would have liked to confess
Miss Vaughan reasoned so clearly and sim
ply there could be little, if any, love on her
side and her arguments made him even won
der if indeed, his feelings We're more than OF
that much abused senti:nent-passion
MY dear Lilian," he said, stibing a sigh.
''you want that most impossible thing now
adays-perfect1on-it IS not bought easily
Will you think over my proposal again? No.
don't answer at once, say you will think it
over"
Certainly, if you wish it. Perhaps-who
knows?-you may be right. In which case
shall never marry"
"And that would be cruel. Take counsel.
Ask Lady Carruthers; she knows the world
better than you do. Will you do this?'
He held out his hand, and she put hers into
it with frank smile.
perhaps 1 WILL she said.
And Sir Philip. hoping that his cause was
not quite lost. left his companion to her own
thoughts.
The dancing-room was empty now, and no
one came to disturb Lillian Vaughan, and she
leant back amongst the flowers and palms
around her.
She was not in love with Sir Philip Fairfax,