CHAPTER XIII.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 300, 19 September 1888, Page 3

CHAPTER XIII.

' I'lllST IN TIME, tfIRST BY 11IQ11T.* Eveket Maplbson cadvanced toward the

young couple with all the assurance imagin able. He nodded indifferently to Geoffrey, simply saying in a patronising tone : 'How aro you, Huntress?' and then turned to Gladys with the most alluring smile. ' The signal for dancing lias been given, Miss Huntress ; may i have the pleasure of doing the opening set with i you V Gladys' cheeks were very red. for she resented his manner toward Geoffrey. What right had he to assume such insolent superiority over him, who she knew possessed by far the nobler nature of the two.? But she said politely, though with a little secret feeling of triumph in refusing him : ' Yon are a trifle late, Mr Mapleson, as 111 1 havo already promised the first dance ; but if you will come to me later, you shall write your namo upon my card.' The young man. irowned "lightly, for he could never endure to have his wishes denied, but he was obliged to bow acquiescence, and turned away to seek a partner elsewhere. But ho managed to station himself where i hccould watch the young couple incessantly, and nob a movement, not a smile nor glance escaped him. •They love each other,' he muttered-. ' at least he loves her, and it would not take much to make them acknowledged lovers. 1 shall have to be both watchful and diligent. I wish I knew the secret of the fellow's life. II can't be possible that he is anything to our family, and yet I am deucedly annoyed I by the mystery.' > j When he went later to claim Gladys promise to dance with him, ho exerted himself more than he had ever done to be entertaining and agieeable. He told her about his (Southern home, and the life ho led when theie. He desciibed the luxuriant beauty which surrounded ' Vue de l'Eau,' his father* estate, 1 and so called irotn the bioad, sweeping view which they had of the beautiful James River, which lay right beneath them, lie told her something of his courtly father j and his stately, beautiful mother, and was really eloquent in this description of the spot that had given him birth. S I wioh you would come to 'Vue do l'Plau ' sometime, Miss Huntress; lam sure you would agree with mo that there is nothing finer in the way of scenery, even on your far-famed Hudson,' he said, in conclusion. ' Thank you, Mr Mapleson ; your descrip- \ tion& are surely very enticing,' Gladys re- j plied", with a smile. 'I suppose yourj parents aro both natives of the .South ?' ' Yes, they were both born in Richmond, and my father was a colonel in the Gonferituate army at the time of our eh il war ; ' but as it happened his estate was not harmed, and it has since increased greatly in beauty and ' Bo you remember much about the war ?' Glads s inquired. • No, 1 knew very little about it at the time; of course, I was \ery young— only about eight years of age — and besides, my father sent my mother and me abroad, where we lemained until the war was over.' • 1 suppose some of your people still feel antagonistic low ardus Northerners?' ( Sladys remaiked. ' 1 presume there is a feeling of bitterness, to some extent among the veterans ; but as to the generation that has been growing up since 1 think we all feel that we are one nation and our interests are with and for the Union. But if I had been e\er &o bitter towaid Northern people, that feeling could not have possibly continued to exist after my present experience witth them,' and Everefe Mapleson's glance told the young gill that for her sake alone he would have been willing to waive all past grievances, however aggravating. Her cheeks flushed and her eyes dropped. ' It is better to pub aside all bitterness — the war was a terrible thing, and there were mistakes on both &ides, and now that peace hab been restored it is far better to let by-gones be by-gones. Have your parents ever been North V' Gladys tried to speak in a general and unconscious way, but it was very hard with those admiring eyes fixed so eanie&tly upon her. ' No ; they have been in Europe, and my father has been on the Pacific coast several times, bub they have yet to visit this pjrtion of the country. 1 • Without doubt then they will improve the oppoi tunity to do so when jou leave college. It "u ould be natural for them to desire to be present when you take your honouis.* 'Those will be \ cry few, I fear,' young Mapleson replied with a flush. 'I am not a good student.' He did not love study, although he was quick to learn, and btilliant in recUation when he chose to apply himself. ' I do not believe you leally mean that,' Gladys &akl. She could not believe that anybody could be a poor student who so closely le-embled Geoflrey, who excelled. She imagined that he must bo like him mentally ay well as j physically. 'Do you think it pay*, to get a reputation for good scholarship ?' l.c asked. ' Perhaps nob the reputation alone, bub the knowledge pays. If I was a college boy I believe I should strive to attain the top of the ladder.' ' True, but everyone can at least try to excel, and even if one does nob, he has the satisfaction of knowing that he has done his best.' ' Are you going 1 to be first at your class ab Vassar , Miss Huntress?' Evoret Mapleson asked, studying her eager face earnestly. • Gladys flushed again and laughed. 'I am doing my utmost, Mr Mapleson, to come forth from my school an honour to my class ; and Geoffrey is bending all his energies toward the same object; indeed, I surmise that he is trying to gain a year, by his being so zealous for study during the recesses.' A startled look shot into Everet Mapleson's eyes. If Geoffrey Huntress did gain a year he would graduate at the same time with himself, and the thought was anything but pleasant to him. 'Ho will have to be very smart to do that,' he said, with a sceptical curve of the lips. ' Goofffrey /s smart; lie has achieved wonders during the last few years, and I predict for him a brilliant college caieer. I am very proud of him.' The beautiful girl's face glowed, and her eyes gleamed as she said this, while her gfance, rested more fondly than she was aware on the manly form that was standing beside his hostess, quietly conver&ing with her while they watched the dancers. Her companion was so nettled by this that for a moment he could nob con'rol his voico to reply. ' I should judge that the young man must be a prodigy,' ho said at length, with a covert sneei*. Gladys lifted her eyes searchingly to his '. face. His tone was t not pleasant to her, but he looked as innocent as if he had spoken' in all sincerity. ' Why !' she said, after a moment's thought, •if Geoffrey does gain a year he will take his degree when you take yours !' 'Yes.' A little ripple of roguish laughter issued fvom the fair girl's red lips.

( Then let me warn yon,' she said, with a merry glance, 'to look out for your honours!, Mr Mapleson, for Geoffrey is bound to go to the irorib, and I have fully made up my mind to hear him deliver the valedictory at Yale two years hence.' Again the young Southerner had to pause ( for self-control ; it was very hard for him to conceal the rage that was well nigh overmastering him. But all at once he bent toward Gladys, i and speaking in a low, resolute tone, said : ' Miss Huntress, you have inspired me with an ambition which I never before possessed. I would give more than you can conceive to merit such praise from >ourlipsas you have just bestowed upon another, and from this hour, my purpose shall be to 'go to the front,' as you have expressed it. I shall deliver the valedictary two years horn next summer.' Gladys laughed gleefully. She never dreamed of the fierce enmity and jealousy that lay beneath all this, and she was delighted to think that she had aroused his desire to excel in his class. 'It will be a worthy contest,' she said ; ' and I honour you for your resolution. I shall watch ths rivalry with a great deal of interest, I assure yon.' ' Will you wear my colours if I succeed, Miss Huntress ?' the young man asiced, in a low, almost passionate tone. ' That depends ' ' Upon what ?' ' Upon whether Geoffrey talces his degree at the same time ; if he gains his year and leaves with your class, 1 think I shall have to be loyal to him, even though he should suffer defeat,' Gladys replied, though in her heaib she felt sure that he would not fail to do himself honour. 1 Thatis hardly fair,' urgedher companion: 'to the victor belongs the spoils,' you know.' I Yes ; but you will have your own fiiends to rejoice with yon, and J could not desert dear old Geoff though he should fail a bundled times,' she returned, a tender glo-v overspreading her face. 'Happy Huntress!' sneered the exasperated young man, for a moment forgetting himself. ' Why, Mr Mapleson, I hope you are nob ofiended with me,' Gladys said, with surpiise, and not once suspecting that this venom was aimed at the object of their conversation ; then she added : ' Perhaps, however, his colours and yours will be the same, and then I can honour you both.' Everet Mapleson was glad that supper was announced just ab that moment, and saved him the necessity of replying. The mere thought of sharing any honours with hi& rival made him white with anger, and her piaise of him had driven him nearly frantic. He saw Geoffrey approaching them, and surmised that he contemplated taking Gladys into supper, which was ju&t then announced. He resolved that he should nob ; &o, turning to her with a smile, ac- he laid her hand upon his arm, he lemarked : 'Thafcii no doubt a pleasing announcement to everybody. Shall we follow the hungry crowd ?' ' Thanks ; but I see Geoffrey coming foi: me ; pi ay find someone else, Mr Mapleson ; I have ali eady occupied more of your time and attention this evening than 1 ought,' the fair girl responded. I 1 could not bestow it more acceptably io myself anywhere else,' he replied, in a low earnest tone, and detaining the hand which she would have withdraw n from his ai m. *" At that instant Geoffrey bowed before them. ' Excuse me for interrupting your chat,' he said courteously; 'butaieyou ready to go into supper, Gladys V ' Excuse me, Huntress,' young Mapleson interposed before Gladys could repty, and bestowing a haughty glance upon his rival, ' but I must claim the privilege of taking Miss Huntress in by virtue of the 6ld saw 'pi ior (empore, 2^'ior jure 11 — first in time, iirs t by light.' Geottrey coloured more at his tone and look than ab his words, but returned, with a genial smile': • That will apply to my case exactly, Mr Mapleson, since 1 secured Miss Huntress's promise, moie than an hour ago, that she would jrive me the privilege you claim.' ' But possession is nine points in law, Miss Huntress,' said Everefc, addressing Gladys and ignoring Geoffrey entirely. ' Really, Mr Mapleson, you will have to excuse me. I ha\e given my piomise, as G«officy says, and since he leaves for New Haven again to-morrow morning, I must say nil I have to say to-night.' Everet Mapleson instantly released her w ith a low bow of acquiescence. ' I'our wi^h is sufficient,' he said, with significant emphasis, and turned abruptly away to seek someone- else ; bul> not before he had shot a revengeful glance at his successful rival. 'He shall have his pay some day,' he rant tered, as bo moved down the loom; he maddens me beyond all endurance with his assumption of affability and his high-bred civility. He goes back to New Haven tomorrow, does he? Well, I'll improve the remainder of thin recess to cultivate to the utmost my acquaintance with ma belle Gladys ' He found a young lady to whom'he had been introduced early in the evening, and solicited her companionship during supper, bub he was careful to station himself where he could watch evciy look and movement of the girl whom he was fast learning to adoie. After supper Gladys and Geoffrey stole away to a quiet corner where they could have a little confidential chat before they separated, for each had much to tell the other about school and various other matters. Geoffrey had been much disturbed inwardly to see how devotedly attentive young Mapleson appeared to Gladys. He did nob bear him any ill-will on account of the hazing bo which he had been subjected so long ago, but he instinctively ,felt that ho co"ulrl nob be a very nobleminded man to allow himself to be so controlled by passion as he had been at that time, and Gladys was too precious a treasure to be willingly' yielded to one unworthy of her. Ho wondered what opinion she had formed of him, and he meant to find out before he left her ; and after they had chatted awhile he asked smilingly : < Well, Gladys, what do you think of my double ?' | ' I think it the most remarkable resemblance in the world : but why have you never written us anything about him ?' she asked. ' I have had so many other things to writo and think about, that 1 suppose it escaped my memory ; besides, I seldom meet Maple?on, as he is nob in my class. I am very glad, though, that he does not belong to New York,' Geoffrey concluded, with a wistful glance at his companion. ( Why V ' Because I fear you might often make the same mistake that you did the other day in the cafe", and — I think I should hardly like to share your favours with him. ' Gladys shob a quick, inquiring glance into the young man's face, and saw it was clouded, 'len'bhem'ce, Geoff?'

' I have heard that he belongs 'to a good family, and I feel that I have do right to say one word against him ; still, where you aro concerned Gladys, I feel very jealous 1 lest any ill fehould come to you,' he returned, earnestly. - - ' I think I could never again mistake him for you,' Gladys said, thoughtfully. ' What makes you * think' that ?' '-was the eager query. ' There are certain expressions in your face that I do not find in his, and vice versa ; while somehow a feeling of antagonism, a barrier, almost anibunting to distrust, comes between us wlieri I am with him. ' Purhaps it is because I do not know him a? well ad J know you ; it would be natural to differently regard one who had always been like a brother,' Gladys replied, , gravely. ■A painful thrill ."hot through Geoffrey's heart at these last word?. v Does she feel nothing but sisterly affecsion for mc V he thought ; 'and [ ove her — oh ! not with a brother's love ; Heaven help me if I fail to win her by it ! She is dearer than my own life, and yet 1 dare not tell her so ; I have no right to win the heart of the child of my benefactor until I can make a name "and position worthy of her acceptance.' But he allowed nothing of this conflict to appear. He changed the subject, and they chatted pleasantly of other matters until Mr and Mrs Huntress came to tell him that they were going home. lie then bade her good-night and goodbye, and went) away, loving her more fondly than ever, but with a heavy burden on his heart. (To b<i Continued.)