Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1902-08-28


child I'm sorryi"
! The respective vehicles accordingly
arrived, and as Veronica kissed her
cousin goodnight she had never
| looked more radiantly lovely. Gems
of wonderful brilliancy glittered in her
hair, on her neck and arms. Her
dress was of some rich, soft, clinging
material, and she carried herself like
queen as she swept out of the room
| where her cousin lay upon the bed
bemoaning the irony OF fate.
Allured by the appealing eyes and
coaxing words of his fair partner,
Dudley Maitland became the victim
of the moment, and it was not long
ere he was escorting her away from
the throng of merry dancers into COM
parative solitude.
This is quite like old times" Yer
onica said as they entered the cool
conservatory and sat down.
Not quite, returned Maitland,
somewhat absently. Indeed, times
have changed considerably since we
last met"
This was a discordant note, and
Veronica did not feel at her ease.
I'm SO glad you came tonight,
Dudley" she said, as though involun-
tarily breathing her thoughts aloud.
Maitland raised his eyebrows slight
ly, but she failed to notice that danger
signal
Why" he asked, somewhat
brusquely.
How strangely you speak," she re-
turned, nervously, "but do you really
care to know"
Naturally, | am interested"
Veronica toyed with the petals of
rosebud, and her eyes were cast upon
the ground.
Because | have wanted to see you,
to speak to you, to tell you how bit
terly sorry / am for my cruel wordsl
| think / must have been mad!' she
said softly. "a came back to the
drawing ROOM" she went on in the
same tone, while her eyes remained
still downcast, but you had gone, and
| have never known happy moment
since"
Now, had Veronica's conscience per
mitted her to look into the eyes of
the man at her side, with those won.
derful liquid orbs of hers, it is posi-
BILE that the fascination of her gaze
might have blinded him to the false
ring of her words, but, as it was, he
felt neither pleased nor fiattered.
Il am sorry if you have been un-
happy he returned. lightly, "but in
these rapid times it does not do to
grieve over the dark and empty past.
mot dark, nor empty" she said.
with mock tenderness and well affect
ed concern; but tell me, Dudley
have you forgotten all the past?"
All" he repeated, suavely 81
suppose you mean the days when the
smiles were for others and the frowns
for me. Bah, What a mad headed
fool | must have been. But Won
taught me lesson, Veronica, and it
was well laid to heart"
DO not speak of it." she exclaimed
orokenly; Il have told you. Can you
sun ne 50 unIOrgiVlnP!'
There is nothing to forgive" he re-
piled; you certainly seemed to prefer
any society to mine in the old DAVIS
OF which you speak, and could never
bear you malice on that score!"
But, Dudley" she said. so softly
that her words were scarcely per.
ceptible, Il have suffered so. truly I
nave seen the error of my ways, the
magnitude OF my terrible cruelty to
you! Come, say you forgive me, and
let us be friends again."
No" he returned. firmly. even
Hereby, that can never be. Veronica,
You must not forget that even the
most beautiful and accomplished
woman has no right to play with a
mans heart as II it were a worthless
TOY to be taken up or cast down at
pleasure. And may | ask YOU to ex.
cuse me now? have an important
engagement to attend to. Allow me-"
And pale and trembling in every limb
veronica once more entered the bali.
room.
Violet had watched the several
vehicles drive away with eager and
fearful eyes. How she longed to be
among the merry throng, Finally
she resolved to drown her heart ache
in the pages of a novel.
But she could not fix her mind. try
as she would; so towards midnight
she again took up her stand by the
window and looked out into the dark
and Starless night. Presently she
turned. for she fancied she heard a
football
Why. Dudley" she almost
shrieked, you here! Whatever brings
you at this hour when you ought to be
doing duty to the people in general?'
I wanted you" he replied tenderly
"ant you are more to me than all III,
peopl, in the world"
But look at me-" she said. shyly,
do believe am disfigured for life,
Do you not think soe"
} And for an answer she was claspe,
In warm embrace. and kisses wer,
; showered upon her. And later. wher
Maitland left her there was a new
and even softer expression in he
eyes. a brighter and more winson