Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-12-25

as she swept out of the room where
her cousin lay upon the bed bemoan-
ing the irony OF fate.
Allured By the appealing eyes ard
ooaxing 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" replied Maitland. some-
what absently. Indeed, times have
changed considerably since we last
met"
This was a diseordant note, and YER
onica did not feel quite at her ease.
''I'm so glad you came tonight, Dud-
ley" she said, as though inpolunarily
breathing her thoughts aloud.
Maitland raised his eyebrows slight
", but she failed to notice the danger
signal.
"Why?' he asked. somewhat
brusquely.
"How strangely you speak" she
returned, nervously, but do you real
" 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,
10 speak 10 you. to tell you how bitter
" sorry I am for my cruel words! l
think must have been madl" she said,
softly. Il came back to the drawing
room" she went on IN the same tone,
while her eyes remained still down.
cast. "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 AZ her side. with those wonderful
liquid orbs Of hers. it is possible that
the fascination Of her gaze might have
blinded him TO the false ring Of her
words. but. as Il was, he felt neither
pleased nor fattered.
II am sorry II you have been un-
happy" he returned. lightly, but in
these rapid times il does not do 70
grieve over the dark and empty past
"Not dark. nor empty" she said,
with mock tenderness and well afieet-
ed concern: "but tell me. Dudley, have
you forgotten all the paste"
"Alli" he repeated, suayely. 4 sup
pose you mean the days when the
smiles were for others and the frowns
for me. Bah! What a mad-headed
fool must have beenl But you taught
me lesson, Veronica, and 1t was well
laid to heart"
do not speak Of it." she exclaimed
brokenlv; u have told you. Can you
still be so unforgiving|
'sThere is nothing to forgive" he
replied; "you certainly seemed to
prefer any society to mine in the ola
DAYS of which you speak, and / could
never bear YOU malice on that scorel'
"But, Dudley" she said, so softy
that her words were scarcely percep-
tible. ~ have suffered so, truly ! have
seen the error Of my ways, the magni-
tude Of my cruelty to you! Come say
YOU forgive me. and let US be friends
again"
"No." he returned, firmly, even
6ercely. "that can never be, Veronica
You must not forget that even the
most beautiful and accomplished
woman has no right to play with
mans heart as If it we're worthless
toy. TO be taken up or cast down at
Measure. And may / ask you to ex-
cuse me now? have animportant en-
gagement to attend to. Allow me-"
And pale and trembling in every limb
Veronica once more entered the ball
room.
Violet had watched the several We
hicles drive away with eager and tear
full ewes. How she longed to be among
the merry throngl Finally she re-
solved TO drown her heartaehe in the
papes of a novel.