The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1903-04-17

more radiantly lovely. Gems OF won
derful brilliancy glittered In her hair
on her neck and arms Her dress
was Of some rich soft, clinging ma
terlal and she carried herself like q
queen as she swept out Of the room
where her cousin lay upon the bed be
moaning 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 II 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" Veron-
lea said as they entered the cool con
servatory and sat down.
mot quite" returned Maitland,
somewhat absently. Indeed. times
have changed considerably since we
last met" a
| This was discordant note, and
Veronica did not feel quite mt her ease.
| I'm so glad you came tonight, Dud-
ley" she said, as though involutarily
breathing her thoughts alond.
Maitland raised his eyebrows slight
| ly, but she failed to notice that dan
ger signal
| t"Why" he asked, somewhat
brusGuely. ........ .t.,.
How strangely you speak she re-
turned, nervously, "but do you really
care 20 knowg"
Naturally l am interested"
q Veronica toyed with the petals OF n
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 nm for my cruel words!
! think ! must have been madr' she
said softly. 81 came back to the draw.
ingroom." she went on in the same
tone, while her eyes remained still
downcast. "but you had gone. and !
have never known a happy moment
sincew
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, 1t is pos
sible that the fascination OF her gaze
might have blinded him to the false
ring OF her words, but. as 1t was. he
felt neither pleasure nor flattered.
IL am sorry IL you have been un.
happy he returned, lightly, but In
these rapid times 1t 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 pastE'
"All!' he repeated, suavely, IT sup
pose you mean the days when the
smiles We're for others and the frowns
for me- Bah! What mad headed
fool must have been! But you taught
me a lesson, Veronica, and 1t was well
mld to heart" H
do not speak OF It," she exclaimed
brokenly; II have told you. Can
you still be so unforgiving?"
There is nothing to forgive" he re-
piled; "you certainly seemed TO pre-
fer any society TO mine In the old
days Of which you speak, and /
could never bear you malice on that
score"
But, Dudley" she said, so softly
that her words were scarcely percept-
ible. II have suffered so. truly, l have
seen the error OF my ways, the magni-
tude of my terrible cruelty 10 you
Come, say you forgive me. and let us
be friends again" .. w.. u
"No," he returned firmly. even fierce
ly, 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 ms II IL We're worthless toy
to lie taken up or cast down at pleas.
ure. And may ask you to excuse
me nowp l have an important en-.
gagement 10 attend TO. Allow me-"
aud pale and trembling in every limb,
Veronica once more entered the ball
room. a
Violet had watched the several We
hicles drive away with eager and tear
full eyes. How she onged To be among
the merry throng! Finally she re-
solved TO drown her heartache in the
pages of q novel. ''..H
But she could not fix her mind. try
as she would; so toward midnight she
again took mp her stand by the win
dow and looked out into the dark aud
star'ess night. Presently she turned.
for she fancied she heard n 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?"
II wanted you" he replied tender
ly. "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
10 Won not think so?" 51aHs. f..
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 expires.
sion about her mouth. Her heart was
happy. and she went up the old oaken
staircase humming the air OF an old
love song. r..IfF .ua..I
Have you enjoyed yourself. veron.
lea, dearT' exclaimed voice. aud n
curly head appeared above the bed
Veronica was silent FOR a time. her
heart beat too fast.
There was no one IN particular that