The Courier. (Genoa, Nev.) 1899-1904, 1900-09-07

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too proud to own that she loved him. It
was quite true that she had horror of
jealous men, but the ridiculous test that
she had set him was but a pretext to
gain time, and she acknowledged as
much to herself as she trailed her peach
colored draperies into the softly-light-
ed drawing-room. Damaris glanced
lazily round, and then dropped into a
seat beside a tall. fair man.
II am going to bore you with my
company" she said, with glance from
her soft eyes.
IF didn't know you better, should
say you were fishing for compliments"
he rejoined, with the eager look that
came into most mems faces when Miss
Vane spoke to them. She glided off into
some small talk. occasionally casting
glance at Hunt to see what he was do
ing. He looked little disconsolately
round him for a second or two, and
then drifted into a chair beside Mollie
Bentinck, pretty-faced little girl of
IS, whose masses of light hair and inno-
cent, brown eyes were voted as charm
ing by some people, though the ma
jority of women complained that she
had no style.
Miss Vane smiled sweetly. cyril is
actually taking me at my word" she
said to herself "How amusing. l am
glad he has selected such safe person,
though"
What are you smiling at ?" said Capt
Howard. beside her.
"Some men are SO simple-minded
and they amuse me-"
"Is that intended tor be personal?"
mo, don't think your worst enemy
would accuse you of being simple
minded"
81 hope not" he returned, fervently
At bedtime Howard remarked with
an amused look as he bade Miss Vane
good night:
Hunt seems quite gone in that quar-
Ter, doesn't hep"
"Yes. How touching it is" she re-
piled, with a smile.
II am so glad he's going to amuse
himself" she said, when she got into her
room, putting down her candlestick
with bang on the table.
No doubt it was her delight at Hunts
finding some amusement to while away
the days that made Damaris lean her
chin on her hands, and stare fixedly al
nothing till very late hour.
Matters were much the same the next
day, when there was large riding par
ty to some distant ruin. Hunt rode
Dc ch n
wild desire to cling to her horses name.
and whose hair promptly came down,
owing to her incessant humping. 1t
must have been kindness and nothing
else on Miss vane's part that made her
stop as she was cantering past, manag-
ing her lively mount TO perfection, to
Because if so, you had better go
home" she said. 81 am sure Mr.. Hunt
will be pleased to take you back"
Delighted, am sure" said that gen.
tleman. "In fact, to put it selfishly, l
should prefer going home, it's awfully
hot for riding"
Thus pressed, the couple rode OF to-
gether. 1t was rather aggrayating when
they all came in hot and tired after
their ride to find Cyril and Mollie stroll
ing about the garden, looking provok-
| ingly cool and fresh.
1t was with curious feeling that
Damaris found herself waiting under
the trees at the end of the week, hay-
ing dismissed Howard in search of a
shawl she never had.
HE is sure to come" she kept on re-
peating to herself. II must give him
long enough; he is sure to come"
Which showed how very little chance
she really thought there was of Cyril
turning up. At last, just as she was
giving up hope, mans figure came
across the lawn. and she saw, with q
feeling of thankfulness, that it was the
one she was waiting for.
81 thought you were never coming
she said starting forward.
81 hardly thought you would expect
me to go through the form of coming,
he answered, gravely. "You have
shown me clearly enough that all is
over between u.s."
mo, indeed" she replied, hastily
at is mistake. L
"Stop!" he said. Il must tell you
that it is all quite over between us
Mollie Bentinck has accepted me few
hours ago. You know we were both OF
us to be quite free"
"All is indeed over" Damaris replied
quietly. Il hope you will be happy!"
Thank you; and you, l suppose, will
marry Howard ?"
q suppose So" she said, as she moved
into the shadow, leaving Hunt to cross
the moonlit lawn alone.
Left alone in the darkness DamariS
stood motionless.
GLOW false men are" she said, tear.
ing a rose she was wearing to pieces
"And I did care for him; it is no good
pretending | didn't. l cared for hin
more than l ever have or shall for q
man, and this is my rewaidl How
strange men are! Fancy his being
taken by little pink and white igno
ramus like that. It's like the end Of G
play. Model young lady marries mode
young man, and for me there is only
! Capt Howard. | don't love him, and