New-York tribune., 1901-02-24
MELINDA'S SMILE.
From The Pan Mall Magazine.

regrets and Na4n inlaginings Of what might have
been, tin voice from the footpath brought
back my wandering thoughts with a rush 1
raised my head TO find Melinda-a dazzling
vision in blue cloth and white fur-by my side
with the same irresistible smile, and her face
and voice fresh and sweet as spring itself.
.'Good morning" she said ,.ayly enough; but
somewhere behind her smile 4 caught a glimpse
& anxiety ano-coud il be?-appeal
'Good morning" / knew that, if i stopped
In my long, lonely ride would vanish like smoke
bur Bluebeil, from long habit. took the matter
upon herself and dropped her head TO Craze by
the roadside
Melinda drew a small. bare hand from her
white muff, and strOked the sleek skin
noticed how cunningly the bunch OF violets
nfsied IN the soft brown OF her hair. and wished
that was dead
rs il true?' 1 asked knowing well enough that
n
Melinaa's head was g;M bent. perhaps that
was why her voice muffied.
"Yes." she said. 'it is true"
'Do you care for him." 1 went on. and at this
Melinda raised her head Indignantly.
You have right to ask" she said with
naming checks. II ana very fond OF him in
deed"
night beyond the promise made easily, broken
SO lightly. j Will ask questions. IL
must be easy indeed TO be fond of such an
income as Leonard's-with good looks into the
bargain. GOodby. 1 wish you luck, Melinda"
She caught my rein. and Blue1ell stopped
again She knew me- and she knew Melinda. 4
had hired her many times before went away.
and We had always. somehow. met Melinda
you very unkind." Melinda said quickly.
1T isn't the mOney-at least not much You
know how hard il is al home with no money
Cor anything nice-Im sure we couldn't he
much worse off if We were beggars-and mother
grumbling and grumbiing because Lisette and
4 were both engaged TO poor people and Mar
things fast old Nurse makes them. and
father worried awfuliy with beastly hills
\ glanced AT Melinca's tailor-made costume
with a smile.
She flushed again. Her complexion is like
pink d-white apple blossom.
81 had TO have some decent things when L
vas engaged" she explained hurTiedly. "he-
cause or Leonards relations and things calling:
but they aren't paid for Vet. you needn't
smile in that horri6 unbelieyng way. And
then she went on, you %ent away ali that
time in South Africa about those wretched
railways and everybody said YOU would never
make any money. and they said 1 selfish
and horri6 and cruel. and Lisette would get
gagged to the curate, and Margaret was always
crying because she couldn't go 10 parties and
things and Leonard was always here. kind
and nice TO everybody. and always doing gener-
Gus things, tin at last got quite fond Of him
-. You know am very affectionate by nature"
q. And then you said you might be out for
years and years more.
1.-Two years what said
90. And everybody kept bOthering and both
ering, and Leonard kind and patient. TIL
j thought and thought. and made up my mind
did"
''Yes," said quietly. you did. found your
letter waiting for me directly i got back IL
was a pleasant welcome home. The
my rooms knew 1 was coming. so she did not
forward il. There is nothing more to be said
wait a minute" said Melinda. when you
were away, I--er-WrOte TO you."
"YOu did" said I-"once week for two years.
] have got all your letters. They began with
vows of eternal constancy and they ended
in-ths:"
IIer eyes filled with tears. They were almost
the color ~ the ViOletS in her hat. and l wished
she would finish what she had To say aild
let go.
81 didn't think you'd mind much" she said
wistfully.
81 don't want 10 he rude replied, hut that
Is a e-and you know iti VIII you say what
you have to say and get il done?"
81 want you to send back all my etters-that
Is an
"Yes 1 have sent back yours and your ring.
and TIE little turquoise bangle with the nugget
-and-cn, everything you gave me"
"Why should I send them back at all?" |
asked. 'They cart be pleasant reading TO YOU
now"
.It isn't that" she said: 'ft's because Of
Leonard. He doesn't know engaged,
and ne has such ridiculous ideas about broken
engaf. ments. He has sort Of theory that he
won't marry a Girl unless he is her first love"
You are very foolish. There is not likely 20
be much happiness for you in the future if you
begin deceive him already. How can ne help
knowing were engageGy
.'There is reason why he should said
Melinda quickly. n haven't told anybody out
side-nrother said there telling what
might happen. Mabel and Margaret too
~Isut" said L. while have the letters you
know they safe"
~I suppose So" she said doubifully; but i
abould never be quite sure. and Il should be so
0nexSy always. and you might die or something