The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-11-30

sorry. You won't be lonely, win you? TN
stay with you II you WISH"
demanding the most tender and constant
consideration. So the pleasure Of the even-
ing was spoiled for hin while he remem-
bered the hurt and disappointed look In
Hopes face, and when Miss Langham asked
him why he was so preoccupied he told her
bluntly that he thought she had been very
unkind TO hope and that her objections were
absurd.
Miss Langham held herself q little more
stif1y. Perhaps you do not quite UNDER
stand. Mr.. Clay" she said. Some Of US
have to conform to certain rules that the
people with whom we best like to associate
have laid down for themselves. II we choose
to be conventional it is probably because We
find it makes life easier for the greater
number. You cannot think It was . pleas
ant task for me. But I have given up things
of much more Importance than . dance Tor
the sake Of appearances. and Hope herself
will see tomorrow that / acted for the
best"
Clay said he trusted SO. but doubted II.
and by way Of re-establishing himself In
Miss Langham's good favor asked her II she
could give him the next dance. But Ml9o
Langham was not to be propitiated.
I'm sorry" she said. "but. / believe I am
engaged until supper time. Come n ask me
then, and IN have one saved for you. bue
there is something you can do" she added.
II left my fan in the carriage-do you think
you could manage to get 1t for me without
much trouble?''
1.-The carriage did not walt. I believe It
was sent back" said Clay, 'but I can bor-
row a horse from one Of Stuarts men and
ride back and get It for you. IL you like"
How absurdT' laughed Miss Langhams
but she looked pleased, Notwithstanding.
oh. not at ALL" Clay answered. He was
smiling down at her in some amusement
and was apparently much entertained ae
hiS fdaa sspTjI x,Otr Conoidor ff an arS nj
devotion?' he asked.
There was SO little Of devotion and -
much more Of mischief in his eyes that
Miss Langham guessed he was only laugh
ing at her. and shook her head.
You don't CO." she said. turning away.
She followed him with her eyes, however,
as he crossed the room, his head and Shout
ders towering above the native men and
women. She had never seen him SO re-
splendent, and she no.ed, with an eye that
considered trides. the orders. and his we'll
fitting white gloves. and his manner Of
bowling in the Continental fashion. holding
his opera hat on his thigh, as though his
hand rested on a sword. She noticed hat
the little Oianchoans stopped and looked
after him, as he pushed his way among
them. and she could see that the men were
telling the women who he was. Sir Julian
Pindar. the old British Minister. stopped
hin and she watched them as they laughed
together over the English war medals on
the Americans breast. which Sir Julian
touched with his finger. He called the
French Minister and his pretty wife to lcok.
too. and they all laughed and talked to-
gether in great spirits. and Miss LanshAm
wondered If Clay was speaking in French
to them.
Miss Langham did not enjoy the ball: she
felt injured and aggrieyed and she assured
herself that she had been hardly used. che
had only done her duty. and yet all the
sympathy had gone to her sister. who Ina
placed her in a trying position. She thoYehf
1t was most inconsiderate.
Hope walked slowly across the verande
when the Others had gone. and watched
the carriage as long as it remained in sirht.
Ihen she threw herself into a big arms
chair. and looked down upon her nretfv
frock and her new dancing slippers, ~
too. felt badly used.
Go be C~ontinued.)
copyright E0& BY Charles scrtbuers -