The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1909-04-02
CHAPTER II.
Continued.

Sophy, though far from a hypo-
critic, possessed in a high degree that
gift of her sex which enables them
to affect an interest in matters that
they do not care one halfpenny about,
and which no man could listen to
under the same circumstances with
out exhibiting some sign of boredom.
He spoke of his prospects in the COM
ing tripos, and her pretty face seemed
J, to glow with excitAment; he dis
coursed Of his college experiences,
and, from the rapt attention with
which she listened to him, one would
have thought he was speaking of her
last partner or her first ball. She
was, in truth, far from being
charmed. and thought him very
sgotistic young man; but his talk was
not altogether disagreeable to her,
since she saw through it the admira-
tion she had excited in him, thing
always agreeable to her, and to
which, in the present case, there was
added a sense of triumph; she lad
manufactured a friend out of an en-
emy.
He was in Paradise, and Sophy,
who guessed the fact, did not choose
to let him know that it was a fools
Paradise.
'You need never fear, dear Miss
Gilbert" he whispered, significantly.
''that I will ever reveal what l acci-
dentally witnessed yonder."
%
Sophy. She might have said, and
with truth, You saw nothing of
which I have any reason to be
ashamed, no matter what ideas you
may entertain to the contrary, or
however well-founded they may ap-
pear to you" But this course would
have necessitated an explanation it
she had given would (she felt) have
once more made an enemy of her
companion. The other course was to
have accepted with thanks his prom
fse of silence, and this again she
dared not take. To admit a conf
dence of this kind between them was
only less dangerous than the other
alternative; it would be an encour-
agement to him of which she feared
he would take advantage. She had
already come to the conclusion not
only that Mr.. John Adair was not a
gentleman to be trusted in any deli
cate matter, but that he was not a
gentleman at all. His calling her
dear Miss Gilbert" upon so short an
acquaintance struck her Gas indeed
it was) as an audacious imperti-
nence; yet she was. so much in his
power that she dared not show the
least trace of indignation. An un-
pleasant position for even a man to
be in, but for young lady a deplor-
able one indeed:
She answered nothing
81 suppose you are going to the
ball tonight" he continued.
90 The question was very simple
one, but she connected it at once
incident to which he had already al
luded The blood rushed to her very
temples, but the tone of her reply
was studiously Indifferent.
Did you not hear my guardian
say so?"
NO; 1 heard nothing of what he
or any one else was saying. I was
only thinking of you"
''It is pity that you had not some
thing better to think about" said
Sophy pettishly.
She regretted it the next moment,
not because =: was such a reply as
a maid servant might have given to
her military cousin, but from the op-
rortunity which she felt it would af-
ford him Of paying compliment.
1T would be difficult" he said,
with a smile, 'to tt In of anybody
be5ter than yourself. Miss Gilbert
Both the smile and the words made
he- blood run cold; the one because
there were reasons why to have
aroused the affections of this man
was more dangerous even than to
have become his emmy; the other
because, though uttered without any
meaning in particular, they seemed
ID her to convey the bitterest sar-
cGsm.
Nay I hope that you will give
re dance or two at the ball this
evening? I do not ask for the first
Cna," he addc-, hastily, perceiving
the look of amazement and even
alarm that came into her face; ''it
j. only too probable that the first
one may be bespoken by another. I
know too we'll how eagerly you are
fought after as a partner; you are
not annoyed at the request, l hope.
One dance really does not seem much
to as..l.'
'I am not annoyed" said Sophy,
Eus>sTinS smile, "but l am certain
~ astonished at such request from
-sIcl~a quarter. My guardian said
YOU were the very last man, MI.
Adair, likely to be seen at a ball"
81 know: I heard him returned
the Young man, quietly. Still I may
mean to go to this ball"
1t was on Sophy's lips to say, u
CO not dance round dances. But
t.le consequences of her rash and
reckless conduct in another and
more serious matter were fortunately
too p. esent with her to admit of that.
II my aunt's headache, to which
she IS 4 martyr" said Sophy, with a
crop il he2 voice, permits Of her
c&apeYoning me to the ball at all,
s5ail be very happy to dauce with
YOU. Nj. Adair."
CHAPTER III.
Aunt Maria's Headache.
IT ic trra that Miss Maria was No