The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1904-03-15

on her neck and arms. Her dress was
Of some rich, soft, cling.ng material,
and she carried herself like a queen
as she swept out OF the room where
her cousin lay upon the bed bemoan-
ing 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 it was not long ere
he was escorting her away from tie
throng of merry dancers into com
parative solitude.
This is quite like old times" YER
onica said, as they entered the cool
conservatory and sat down.
'Not quite" replied Maitland, some
what absently. Indeed, times have
changed considerably since we last
met"
This was a discordant note, and Yer
onica did not feel quite at her ease.
"I'm so glad you came tonight, Dud-
ley" she said, as though involunarily
breathing her thoughts 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
~ care to know?"
Naturally, ] am interested"
Veronica toyed with the petals Of a
rosebud, and her eyes were cast upon
the ground.
Because I have wanted to see you,
to speak to you. to tell you how bitter
| ly sorry am for my cruel words!
| think l 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 Ct the
man at her side, with those wonderful
| 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 battered.
81 am sorry if you have been I'M
happy" he returned, lightly, but in
these rapid times it does not do t.
! grieve over the dark and empty past
Not dark. nor empty" she said
! Il nd 1a-nll y IF
ed concern; "but tell me. Dudley, have
you forgotten all the paste"
'All!" he repeated, suavely. 81 sup
pose you mean the days when III
smiles were for others and the frown'
for me. Bah! Whataa mad-headet
fool must have been! But you laugh
me lesson. Veronica, and it was wei
laid to heart"
do not speak of it" she exclaimed
brokenly; Il have told you. Can yo1
still be so unforgiving?"
There is nothing to forgive" h
replied; ''you certainly seemed t.
prefer any society to mine in the oil
days of which you speak. and I eoul
never bear you malice on that score.
But. Dudley" she said, so softl.
that her words were scarcel.- percep
tible. Il have suffered so. truly hav
seen the error of my ways, the magni
tude of my cruelty to you! Come, sa,
you forgive me, and let us be friend
again"
No. he returned, firmly, eve
fiercely, that can never be. Veronica
You must not forget that even tn
most beautiful and accomplish
woman has no right to play with
mans heart as if it were a WORTHLESS
toy. to be taken up or cast down
pleasure. And may l ask you to e.
cuse me now? have an important Ell
gagement to attend to. Allow me.
And pale and trembling in every liml
Veronica once more entered the bal
room.