The Western news., 1903-08-19

the moment, and 1t 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" ver-
onica said, as they entered the cool
conservatory and sat down.
"Not quite" replied Maitland, some
what absently. 'lndeed. times have
changed considerably since we last
met"
This was discordant note, and Ver-
onica did not feel quite at her ease.
''1'm so glad you came tonight. Dud-
ley" she said. as though involunarily
breathing her thoug ghts aloud.
Maitland raised his eyebrows slight
ly. but she failed to notice the danger
signal.
"Why?" he asked, somewhat
brusquely.
"How strangely you speak" she
returned. nervously, "but do you real
ly care to know?"
Naturally, am interested"
Veronica toyed with the petals of a
rosebud, and her eyes were cast upon
the ground.
Because ] have wanted to see you
to speak to you. to tell you how bitter
ly sorry am for my cruel words!
think | must have been mad!" she said
softly. 81 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 Neronica's conscience per-
mitted her to look into the eyes of fhe
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 it was. he felt neither
pleased nor flattered.
II am sorry if you have been un-
happy" he returned, lightly, "but in
these rapid times it does not DO to
greve over the dark and empty past
"Not 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. II sup
pose you mean the days when the
smiles were for others and the frowns
for me. Bah! What mad-headed
fool must have been! But you taught
me a lesson, Veronica, and it was we'll
laid to heart"
"Do not speak of it," she exclaimed,
brokenly; 81 have told you. Can you
still be so unforgiving?"
There is nothing to forgive" he
replied; "you certainly seemed to
prefer any society to mine in the old
days of which you speak. and I could
never bear you malice on that score
"But, Dudley" she said, so softly
that her words were scarcely percep-
tible. 81 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"
mo" he returned, firmly, even
fiercely, "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 were worthless
toy, to be taken up or cast down at
pleasure. And may I ask you to ex.
cuse me now? have an important EN-
pagement 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 eyes. How she longed to be amorg
the merry throng! Finally she re-
solved to drown her heartache in the
pages of novel.
But she could not fix her mind, try
as she would; SO towards midnight she
again took up her stand by the win
dow and looked eut into tie dark and
starless night Presently she turned,
for she fancied she heard 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?"
81 wanted you," he replied, tenderly.
"and YOU are more to me than all the
people in the world!'
"But look at me-" she said. shyly; II
do believe am disfgured for life! Do
YOU not think so?"
And for an answer she was clasped
in warm embrace, and kisses were
showered upon her. And later, when
Maitland left her. there was new
and even softer expression in her eyes.
brighter and more winsome express
sion about her mouth. Her heart was
happy, and she went up the old oaken
staircase humming the air of an old
love song.
"Have you enjoyed yourself. Veron-
lea, dsar?" exclaimed q voice. and a
curly head appeared above the bed
clothes.
Veronica was silent for q time. her
heart beat too fast.
.'There was no one In particular that
I wished to see," she replied, finally.
.Dudley Maitland was there. but he
was infinitely disagreeable. and event
1 \ - u u T.