The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-07-29


Wendell. one of the very few who
knew Leigh's history, entered.
'You look as conscious, Reggy, as
Leigh did just now. 1t would be
pretty romance IL your boyish attach
ment for Leigh should end in your
carrying her to your ancestral hallsi"
"Oh, Mrs. Wendell. you know that
as lovable as Leigh is. fellow in my
position couldn't overlook the days
she was nothing less than a street sim
ger. 1t wouldn't do in England, you
knowi"
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.
! "Oh, Reginald, I've something awful
to tell you, Leigh overheard what you
said about her having been a street
singer. She just told me she heard
you!"
| Elc gave q Cig VI ulShdf.
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
the long room at the side of her
adopted father Philip Hathcourt did
not remove his eyes from her.
Z Leigh" he murmured. as they stood
apart for a moment, may have the
first dancer"
I She turned slightly pale. hearing the
intensity of his voice. but quietly gave
him the promise of the dance. Then
Reginald came hurryihg toward them.
Leigh, you were so late in comingi"
he cried. May / tell you how glor-
iously beautiful you are tonight"
She glanced at him carelessly with
a cold, little ghost Of a smile.
81 want the first dance" he con-
tinued.
"You are too late! have promised
1t to Philip"
The first dance ended Reginald has
tened to siaim her for the next one.
1t had semed to him that his code Of
honor demanded by way of apology
nothing short of a proposal. But to-
night her heightened beauty and the
intoxicating delight he felt when
dancing with her made him forget any
motive but love. His wooing was
audacious, passionate and importu-
nate. Her refusal, calm. undaunted
and unalterable.
. Surprised, yet not baffied, he contin-
ued to plead beseechingly.
'T don't understand such inconsis-
tency, Reginald" she replied. To-day
you were proclaiming that you could
not marry a street singeri"
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 tantalizingly.
81 don't love you, Reginald! And
never will"
"You did, or were on the verge Of 1t"
he protested.
"when?"
"This afternoon before you left the
music room so suddenly. saw 1t 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"
/ ss0fA.tu oh nax,,pnanAad -
swer is final Take me back to the
ball room"
She was experiencing slight exulta
, ton in the realization Of the power q
woman can WELD over man. This feel
ing made her eyes more luminous ant
: her face more radiant. They passed
! Philip in the doorway of the pavilion
He drew back out OF view, all thu
wounds In his heart beginning to ach'
: ut the sight Of the proud. happy bear
r ing of the girl, whose countenanc
e was glowing and flashing with excite
: ment. He came up to her quickly.
: "win you dance this with met"
d Certainly" she replied.
!. 81 don't want to dance now" he said
= when Reginald had withdrawn. lie
{ US go to the house. but not to the bal
d room"
Z They went into a deserted room
d dimly lighted by candles. to a dee,
y window embrasure which looked ou
r on the garden at the back OF the house
o The moon flying swiftly through great
e floating masses of clouds sent a silver
n beam upon the gold of her shinin
!, hair. Her eyes were full Of depth an
y color
e A little French clock chimed out 1
strokes.
n This is the noon OF night" sal
u Leigh. trying to speak lightly.
Leigh, ! have no right to ask-bui
o did Reginald propose to you tonight?
II have no right to tell. perhaps, bu
a I will. He did"
y And you accepted him." he asket
= tensely.
n mo, I refused him"
II His arms were about her "Ther
10 Leigh, let me tell you, /"
s. "waitI" she cried.
Z Her voice was sharp and strained
q She drew away from him.
d 81 want to tell you something
e. something about my early life. Yo
IS do not know that when I was a nttl
girl"
u You sang on the boats and in dane
n halls" he interrupted. ito support you
sick mother. / heard it before m,
ID you. / think IL was that which fir,
3 made me love you!"
-e She turned soft, wet eyes to his