Year: 1872

considered his attentions to you on par with
those which he lavishes on every new and
pretty girl. I have never heard, however, Of
single act of his which would lead one to
condemn him as really bad-hearted. But
will say no more Your mother is the only
person who can decide this matter. To her.
my darling, we must now leaveit. She knows
his guardian, who will speak honestly if there
is any feature in the character of Alexis
which might prove bar to your mutual hap
piness."


Mildred felt all this to be the truth and
as Kate entered shortly after, the subject was
dropped.


But the next morning her uncle said, as he
kissed her at breakfast


"I cannot let you run away from us till
Mardigras is over. That is only few weeks
off now, and as everybody is recovering from
the fatigues of Christmas frolics, we may ex-
pect rare fun"


He had been reading the morning paper,
but he now laid it aside, and removing his
spectacles, took Mildred upon his knee, and
began to discourse on the ceremonies of that
festival so popular with the gay creoles of the
Crescent city.


"I would like to remain, Mildred acknowl-
edged with halfsigh, "and have not quite
finished my last quarter with Barilli; but,
uncle Louis, I have written mamma I will
leave for home within the coming week"


"What is thatS" Jack asked, coming up
there was unmistakable excitement in his
voice. "Did you speak Of going home, Mil
dred?"


eyes, Jack" she said, sinking down wearily
upon the lounge, eyes, am going home"


He threw himself into the seat beside her.
Passion, grief, almost anger, burned in his
eyes but he said not word. For moment
he sat thus, biting his under-lip, as if to gain
sufficient selfcontrol to trust his voice. Then
without touching her hand or looking in her
face, rose and left the room.


Mr.. Moreton had seen all. With that quick
parental instinct, with which even the lower
orders of creation are endowed, this father,
whose whole soul was bound up in his chill
dren, read the sad truth love unrequited-
even unheeded. There returned to him with
strange distinctness an almost similar chapter
in his own lifestory. The clear morning SUM-
light-the low cracking of the ire-the very
street-sounds 30 cheerful in the cold, resonant
air-all struck with sudden sharpness


"The electric chord wherewith we are darkly bound'
He recalled the inevitable ending of all
"hrst loves disappointment and regret.


The newspaper in his hand trembled, the
tightness in his throat became intolerable.
The dropping figure on the lounge was so pa.
thetic he could scarcely resist the temptation
to 90 to her and plead his sons cause. But
moment after the others came in to break
fast, and it was too late.


There was general outcry when Mildred's
intended departure was canvassed that morn
ing. Kate and Henriette strenuously opposed
it; and in short the arguments on all sides
contra were too vigorous to be long combat
ted; Mildred was secretly glad to be persua-
ded into remaining few weeks longer-at
least till after Mardigras.


And now the recherche cards of invitation
we're found under the door in the usual mys-
terious manner, and extensive preparations
began to be made for that grand carnival. 1t
delighted Mrs. Moreton to see with what
childlike eagerness Mildred entered into the
discussions Of costume, &C., so different from
the preoccupied air she had worn for some
time past.


They had seen nothing of Waldemar for
several days, the myth "business" having
carried him off with gay party of young
men to neighboring town. But note ar
rived on the evening preceding the grand
Masquerade, requesting to see Mildred for q
few moments alone. As she was coming
down stairs, she saw Jack on the landing.
They had met but seldom lately, for the
young heir, contrary to prophecy, had been
closely occupied in his fathers Office; and as
he stopped and bade her good evening, she
was struck by the change in his face


"Why, Jack, you look pale and-almost
sad. What is the matter?"


II pale and sad p he exclaimed, forcing a
laugh, "'with anger, with sickness, or with
hunger, my lord but not with love-"


mo, upon my faithp laughing in good
earnest at his apropos quotation-"'upon my
allegiance not with love, or the pretty Ninon
will have to answer for more than she is aware
Of"


"Ninon! Pshaw That joke is too stale
even for an apology"


He spoke impatiently, and his lip curled
with ill-concealed scorn. Mildred looked at
him in panied surprise Utterly unconscious
of his feelings toward her, she could not un-
derstand this new phase in character, of
which tenderness and strength seemed the
main elements.


"Cousin Jack" was all she could say in
tone of reproach, while faint flush spread
over her face and throat.


"Mildred-Mildred- you never under.
stand me 2"


His voice was so hoarse that the words could
scarcely be heard the next moment he had
left her.


Mildred stood in blank dismay-but this
was no time for reflection. Repressing her
rising emotion, she hurried into the drawing
room. Waldemar was standing by the fire
his arms crossed on the low mantel, and his
head bent upon them. He raised his face as
she entered. 1t was marble pale