Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1903-1917, 1904-07-28

&S AOVdDAS % 4ACtSn 1S3 d I0l1OW ia 1ny
position couldn't overlook the days
she was nothing less than street sin
ger. 1t wouldn't do in England, you
know
Leigh, returning to the music room,
heard the speech. Her, eyes, usually
so bright and tender, flashed with
spirit as she quietly and unobserved
left the room.
| There was a grand ball at Roselawn
that night and Reginald was one OF
the first to enter the ball room. Mrs.
Wendell hurried to him.
ooh, Reginald, I've something awful
to tell you! Leigh overheard what you
said about her having been street
singer. She just told me she heard
your
He gave a. cry of disnay.
mo, not really, Mrs. Wendell! That
| is awful! Believe me, shall make
amends. shall ask her to marry me-"
Just then a beautiful vision swept
past him. Could this figure so slender
and stately In trailing gown be that
OF little Leigh? AS she passed through
tho long room at the side OF her
adopted father Philip Hathcourt did
not remove his eyes from her.
Leigh" he murmured, as they stood
apart for q moment, may have the
first dancer
She turned slightly pale, hearing the
intensity OF his voice, but quietly gave
him the promise of the dance. Then
Reginald came hurrying toward them.
Leigh, you were SO late in coming!"
L. sNw.I = &~IJ H. ~~-Jn~
iously beautiful you are to-night?'
She glanced at him carelessly with
a cold, little ghost of smile.
81 want the first dance" he con-
! tinued.
"You are too late! have promised
| it to Philip"
The first dance ended Reginald has
| tened to claim her for the next one.
| 1t had seemed to him that his code Of
honor demanded by way of apology
nothing short of proposal. But to-
| night her. heightened beauty and the
Intoxicating delight he felt when
dancing with her made him forget any
| motive but love. Ills wooing was
audacious, passionate and importu-
nate. Her refusal, calm, undaunted
| and unalterabl6.
Surprised, yet not bafied, he contin-
| ued to plead beseechingly.
81 don't understand such inconsis-
tency, Reginald" she replied. To-day
you were proclaiming that you could
not marry q street singer"
| Spare me, Leigh" he pleaded II
| didn't love you then. You are preju-
diced now by reason OF that unfortu-
nate and careless remark. Take time,
/ and let your heart soften towards me. :
| She laughed santalizingly.
II don't love you, Reginald And I
never will"
''You did. or were ON the verge Of it."
he protested.
| "When?"
"This afternoon before you left the
music room so suddenly. ! saw it in
| your eyes"
"You may have seen love there" she
said. slowly, "but not for you. !"
"A quick passion seized him.
"I know for whom! Someone whose
feeling for you isn't equal to mine
someone who will not
Stop" she commanded. My an
swer is final Take me back to the
ball room"
| She was experiencing slight exulta-
| ton in the realization Of the power a
woman can WELD over man. This feel
/ ing made her eyes more luminous and
her face more radiant. They passed
| Philip in the doorway of the pavilion.
/ He drew back out OF view, all the
| wounds in his heart beginning to ache
| at the sight Of the proud, happy bear
Ing OF the girl, whose countenance
was glowing and flashing with excite
ment. He came up to her quickly.
.'Will you dance this with Me?"
Certainly she replied.
II don't want to dance now he said.
when Reginald had withdrawn. LET
us go TO the house. but not to the ball
\ room
! Thsy went into a deserted room,
dimly lighted by candles, to deep
window embrasure which looked out
! on the garden at the back Of the house.
The moon flying swiftly through great,
/ floating masses of clouds sent a silvery
beam. upon the gold of her shining
hair. Her eyes were full Of depth and
color,
A little French clock chimed out IL
strokeG-
This is the noon OF night" said
Leigh, trying to speak lightly.
Leigh, have no right to ask-but.
did Reginald propose TO you to-night?''
II have no right to tell, perhaps, but
/ will He did
"And you accepted him?" he asked.
tensely.
"No, refused him."
His arms were about her. "Then,
Leigh, let me tell you, T."
''Wait!" she cried.
Her voice was sharp and strained.
She drew away from him.
/ 81 want TO tell you something
something about my early life. You
do not know that when / was little
girl"
| You sang on the boats and in dance
halls" he interrupted. Ito support your