St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1910-06-29


NE John Steele walked slowly on
the broad stone balcony to-
ward the ballroom. There he
had stopped; then, stepping to the bal
ustrade. he stood looking off. The
night was warm. In the sky stars
seemed trying to maintain their places
between dark. floating clouds. The
sound of music was waited from with
in. John Steele listened. They were
beginning once more to dance. He
stepped toward the window and paus-
ed. His eyes seemed searching the
tbrong. They found what they sought
"a slender, erect form, the gown soft,
white, like foam; face animated, joy
GUS. For an instant only, however, he
saw the beautiful features; then as
Jocelyn turned in the dance around
her waist glimpsed black band tip
ped by slender masculine fingers;
above, a cynical countenance. Or was
1t all cynical now? A brief glance
showed more than the habitual ex-
preston, a seriousness, some passion
ate feeling. Lord Ronsdale's look
seemed once more to say he held and
would be.
The moments passed. A distant buzz
replaced melody-the human murmur,
the scraping Of strings. From the
forest came a faraway cry, the mel
Rncholy sound Of some wood creature.
He continued motionless, then sudden
ly wheeled swiftly.
sOThof ia Won Mr. CtoQIQ9O UOioQ
young, gay, sounded near. Jocelyn
Wray came toward him. From her
shoulders f1oated a white scarf. You
have come out for the freshness of
the garden? Although" she added,
'.you shouldn't altogether seclude your
self from the madding crowd"
''NoY
Did she note the strangeness of the
look she seemed to have surprised on
his face? Her own glance grew on
the instant slightly puzzled and show
ed a passing constraint. Then her
manner became light again. "No. Es=
pecially as You are leaving tomor-
row, l believer"
Eyes" He tried to speak in conven-
tional tones. but his gaze swerved from
the graceful figure with its dim, white
lines that changed and fiuttered in the
faint breath of air, stealing so gently
by them and away. MY time is al
most up-the allotted period Of my
brief Elysiumr' he half laughed. 81
have enjoyed myself immensely-much
more than ] deserve"
Have you?" She glanced at him.
A flicker of light touched the strong
face
1t seemed difficult for him to speak.
Finally he said:
81 have neglected or forgotten the
pleasure" with slight laugh, 'of con-
graduating you. Is that the word?
Or Lord Ronsdale-he, believe, is the
one to be congratulated"
Congratulated? ~ Her face had
changed. grown colder. His hand
grasped the stone balustrade, but he
forced IL smile to his lips. II cannot
imagine who has started-why you
speak thus. Lord Ronsdale is an old
friend of my uncle and mine, too, but
that Is all. You are mistaken
Mistaken" The word broke from
him quickly. The strained expression
of his face gave way to another he
could i'll conceal
"Goodbyr' he said slowly. 81 am
leaving rather early in the morning. l
shall not see you again"
''Goodby-at least until we meet In
London" she ended lightly.
THAT may not be-"
''Why. you are not thinking OF de-
sorting your dingy metropolis?'
He did not answer.
Did she realize he was saying good
by to her for all time? She held her
head higher. pressed her lips slightly
closer: then she sought to withdraw
her hand. but he. as hardly knowing
what he did or yielding to sudden, ir-
resistible temptation, clasped for an in
slant the slim fingers closer. They
seemed to CULVER in his.
John Steele breathed deeply. He
continued to regard her, so fair, so
beautiful. An instant and he bent. A
breath or his lips swept the delicate
white fingers; then he dropped them.
Her hand swung back against the cold
stone. On her breast something bright.
an ornament. huttered, became still
Behind a bird chirped. Her glance
turned toward the ballroom.
up
Other voices. loud. merry, coming
from one of the open French windows
interrupted