The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1910-03-01

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
paratave solitude.
This IL quite like old times. Ner-
onica said, a. 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 discordant note, and YER
onica did not feel quite at her ease.
"1'm so glad you came tonight. Dud-
ley" she said, as though involunarily
breathing her thoughts aloud.
| Maitland raised his eyebrows slight
| ~, 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 intere sted."
Veronica toyed with the petals Of
| 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
| " sorry l am for nv cruel words! I
think must have been mad!" she said,
softly. II came back to the drawing
ROOM" she went on in the same tone
| while her ewes remained still down
cast. but YOU had gone. and I have
never known happy moment since!"
Now, had veronica's conscience per-
mitted her to look into the eyes of the
man at her side, with those wonderful
liquid orbs of hers, 1t is possible that
the fascination OF her gaze might have
blinded him to the false ring OF her
words. but, rs 1t was, he felt neither
pleased nor flattered.
II am sorry If you have been I'M
happy" he returned, lightly, "but in
these rapid times it does not do to
grieve over the dark and empty past.
NOT dark, nor empty, she sa'a'
with mock tenderness and well af1ect-
ed concern; but tell me- dudley nave
| you forgotten all the pastT
"All!" he repeated, suavely. Il sup
pose you mean the days when the
smiles were for others and the frowns
Tor. me. Bah! What mad-headed
fool must have been! But you taught
me lesson, Veronica, and it was we'll
laid to heart"
DO not speak OF It," she exclaimed
still be SO unforgivingr
There is nothing to forgive" re
replied; "you certainly seemed to
prefer any society to mine in the old
days of which you speak, and I could
never bear you malice on that score!"
but, Dudley" she said. so softly
that her words were scarcel:- percep-
tible. II have suffered SO, truly have
seen the error of my ways, the magni-
tude of my cruelty. to you! Come, say
you forgive me, and let US be friends
again."
mo" he returned, firmly, even
fercely, "that can never be, Veronica!
| You must not forget that even the
most beautiful and accomplished
woman has no right to play with
mans heart az If it were a worthless
toy, to be taken up or cast down at
pleasure. And may ask you to ex-
cuse me now? Ihave an important en-
gagement to attend to. Allow me-"
And pale and trembling In every limb.
Veronica once more entered the ball
room.
| Violet had watched the several We
hicles drive away with eager and tear
full eyes. How she longed to bexmong
the merry .throng! Finally she re-
solved to drown her heartache in the
But she could not fix her mind, try
as she would: so towards midnight she
again took up her stand by the win
dow and looked ont int TIE dark and
starless night. Presently she turned.
for she fancied she heard football.
"Vhy, Dudley" she almost shrieked.
"you here! Whatever brings you at
this hour when you ought to be doing
duty to the people in general?"
II wanted you," he replied, tenderly,
go nj vou IRA more n me than II thu