Country Luck

DINON’

had raised her hand to his lips. How the thought of that moment sent the blood leaping to his own finger-tips! He had haunted the Avenue every afternoon, not daring to hope that the carriage would again be stopped in its course, but that at least he might see her passing face. As quick as a flash that day his eye, trained in country fashion to first identify approaching riders by their horses, had scanned the animals that drew the carr

apparently farther back than the seat to which he was shown, for not one member of the Tramlay family could he see in front or to either side of him, and when the service ended and he reached th

ly as possible to that gentleman’s splendid composure. Strolling into a theatre one evening on a “general admission” ticket, which entitled him to the privilege of leaning against a wall, he saw quite a number of men in evening dress, and he improved the opportunity to study the comparative effects of different styles of collars and shirt-fronts. Finally he ventured to appear

t being among the earliest arrivals. So long did he watch without seeing even a single person or carriage approach the door that there came to him the horrible fear that perhaps for some reason the affair had been postponed. About nine o’clock, however, his gaze was rewarded by a single carriage; another followed shortly, and several others came in rapid succession: so a quarter of an hour later he made his own entry. On this occasion he was not unable to translate the instructions, as to the locality of the gentlemen’s dressing-room, imparted by the ser

instant, and heaven—Phil’s own, newest heaven—enveloped the earth, for as he followed t

me! I haven’t any escort to-night, so you’ll have to take me

her hair, the flush of her cheek, the expectancy in her eyes and her parted lips? And o

m uncomfortable, for between long-trained courtesy and intelligent admiration Miss Dinon was enabled to greet him so cordially that he{92} was made to feel entirely at ease. Other guests came down in a moment, and Lucia led Phil away, presenting him to some of her acquaintances and keenly enjoying the surprise of those who

have shared Miss Dinon’s superfluous age could they have divided with her the fortune she had in her own right. Nobody knew exactly how much it was, and fancies on the subject differed widely; but what did that matter? The leading and interesting fact was that it was large enough to have attracted a pleasing variety of suitors, so that there had no

believed it would do his mother good to look at, when his deliberations

sent you to some of my friends,

tainly was a magnificent creature. Her features, though rather large, were perfect, her eye was full of soul, especially when he looked down into it, as from his height he was obliged to, and the pose of her head, upon shoulders displayed according to the prevailing custom of evening dress, was simply superb. She found opportunities to chat a great deal, too, as they made the

little rosebud to whom he had just been introduced, Phil beheld Lucia looking at him with an expression that startled him. He never before had seen her look that way,—very sober, half blank, half angry. What could

’s society? Oh, horrible, delicious thought! Jealousy was not an unknown quality at Haynton: he had observed its development often and often. But to be jealous a girl must be very fond o

had ample revenge, for music

uadrille, Mr. Hayn? If not, y

’t dance,” h

evening!” murmured Miss Dinon. “You will kindly

o deserve a single glance from those fairest eyes in the world. His lips hardened as he saw Lucia occasionally whirled to her place by the arm of her partner boldly encircling her waist. He had always thought dancing was wrong;

of a waltz arose, and Phil’s eye flashed, to a degree that frightened the maiden before him, for directly in front of him, with a man’s arm permanently about her slender waist and her head almost pillowed on her partner’s shoulder, was Lucia. More dreadful still, she s

handsome young man so unpleasantly. “Oh,” she whispered, “he is dread

t then to remind the maiden with the fan that the next quadrille would be his: so she float

inon, rejoining Phil. “I really believe i

e so shrewd at guessing,” said Phil, forcing a sm

ast a quadrille? The nex

nt look, part of which was given to Miss Dinon, “you’re too

the sweetest and che

t I wouldn’t know how to accept? We c

rough a quadrille: it’

ext dance, Mr. Hayn,” said Miss Dinon, “nor a more

ispered rapidly, “We’ll take a side: all you need do will be to watch th

f I bl

ive you. What m

alleged calisthenic exercise which a pious teacher had once introduced in Haynton’s school. The motion of swinging a partner back to position by an encircling arm puzzled him somewhat, as he contemplated it, but Lucia kindly came to hi

, and, leaning on Phil’s arm, she moved toward a

sy, with you for a te

cia, with a prett

ed to Miss Dinon for urging

ld thing,” said Lucia, f

woman like Miss Dinon

gain the strange jealous look c

you had been smitt

“Can’t a man state a simple fact in natu

eepest and most far-away side of everything. Here comes that stupid little Laybrough,

of habit was sufficient to explain why a lot of modest girls, as all in Miss Dinon’s parlors undoubtedly were, could appear entirely at ease during so immodest a diversion. Dur

ng hostess were to set her cap for

“she’s too much the older

girl in the room. Besides, where money ca

engaged to Miss Tramlay,

he got any money? I don’t believe Tr

ely by money. If people were talking about him in such fashion he wished he might be out of sight. He would return at once to his hotel, had he not promised to take Lucia down to supper. He could at least hide himself, for a lit

ere?” draw

d Phil, in absent-minded fashion,—“a

pper was served soon after he went down, his wish was speedily gratified. From that time forward his eye sought her continually, although he tried to speak again to every one to whom he had been introduced. How he envied{

stair, that he might have one more glance at her. As she came down she was an entirely new

iage, Phil, and the

pened the carriage door. Lucia stepped in, but her train could not follow of its own volition, so Phil had the joy of lifting the rustling mass that had t

on’t forget to

, so he raised the little hand to his lips and kissed it several times in rapid suc