The Saint Paul globe., 1899-03-12

Take way her surroundings clothe her In
print gown, and his passionate love would
melt into WEAKNESS and ennui.
Now, under Lilian'S laces and flowers there
peat very soft and tender heart-a heart
that longed for very different love than
that of Sir Philip Fairfax.
AT an age when most girls are still in the
schoolroom she had engaged herself to her
cousin Hugh Vaughan chiefly because she
ptied him.
An uncle had left her money that ought to
nave been his, and in her generosity, she took
the only means of giving him what might
nave been his own.
He died suddenly, almost on the eve of his
wedding-day, killed by fall from his horse;
and now, after three years of seclusion, she
was beginning to enjoy life with all the light
heartedness Of two-and-twenty.
But, as she sat among the flowers, pluck
ing and pulling rose to pieces she whispered
to herself
mo; his is not love! All! is there nothing
else? Nothing but a few kisses given and
returned, a little pride in being beautiful, and
in being called my lady?' Better, far better
would be stern reality of sorrow and tears;
of fears and hopes. At least, one would feel
Then, suddenly, in the midst of her musing
came memOry-a memory slight that she
was almost surprised at remembering
One morning, week before, she had been
riding, and was about to turn into the park.
AS she reached the crossing at Hayde Park
corner, the traffic was stopped rather sud-
denly, and, taken by surprise, she let her
whip fall.
Someone from the pavement at her side
stepped forward and picked it up before her
groom could reach her; and as Lillian raised
her eyes, with wcrd of thanks, she met
those of a tall, aristocratic-looking man, in
deep mourning and she had blushed she
moved on under his admiring gaze.
She began now to retrace the features of the
stranger with singular exactitude, and to
think to herself there, at least a man
whose instincts were not all brutal. If looks
were to be believed, this stranger would never
= q nf h1SU
tongues.
Then her partner for waltz ten came to
claim her, and she put her arm in his with a
smile, whilst feeling of vague pleasure made
her lovely face brighten and look even more
beautiful than before.
When Sir Philip Fairfax left Miss Vaughan's
side, he went straight to his hostess.
The two were intimate friends; Rumor
even said that more than once the popular
lady had taken Sir Philip to task, and
threatened to close her doors against him,
when she heard of some more than usually
fast freak.
Now, he was, or fancied himself to be- really
in love, and he meant to enlist her sympa-
thies on his behalf, and he looked little
thoughtful as he threw himself on a couch
at her side, and gnawed his heavy moustache,
hardly knowing how to begin on the subject
nearest his heart.
whats the matter Philip" she said,
tanning herself, slowly; you not amused,
or enjoying yourself tonight, am afraid, and
a success.
il Yes; thereSis everything to make it so, but
the one thing l want"
why, what more can you want? Most of
my guests have youth, beauty, or money, and
some all ahree combined-but there, you men
difficult to please
You have forgotten the one other thing
want-love-Lilian Vaughan's love!"
And you told me you still had chance of
that"
~T had-I have-but it is a very remote
one-she won't answer me definitely, and to-
night she taunted Without there 1
needn't worry you with that
You mean with Nelly Temple. I warned
you, Philip, it would come to her ears; but
you are so reckless, so careless till you want
the unattainable, and then you think that
your head, nothing can be known about you.
1 declare 1 must wash my hands of your
Don't do that-you know you are my best
friend, and I want you to help me-"
Eyes; and then get thrown into the back
ground for my pains. All! Philip, how little
you really listen to your best friends
And Lady Carruthers shivered little as
she withdrew her hand, upon which his had
rested lightly when he asked her help
Perhaps what the world said was true and
the friendship was rather warmer on her side
than on his, but there was no trace Of this as
she rose saying, gravely-
"Of course, you know l will do all in my
power; so come to me when you want help.
Now take me back to the ballroom
CHAPTER II.
you didn't absolutely refuse Sir Philip.
did you, Lilia.n?' asked Lady Carruthers
about week later. when they had gone TO
her pretty riverside house, The Refuge" for
a months sojourn, enlivened by the presence
of several friends.
'He has confided in you, has hep Lady
Carruthers nodded, and Lillian added: You