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Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 357, 6 April 1889, Page 4

love's young dream. But when, one after one, the variou 8 couplos paired off, she began to grow terribly unea,sy, more especially as he could from where he stood see quite plainly where she was. With the quick and sympathetic perceptions of love, she felt that he was annoyed, and, rightly or wrongly, visited his annoyance upon herself. No matter.

She could not afford to quarrel. Consequently,, she stole up behind him, and said, nervously : * Bob, dear,, what's the matter V But he vouchsafed no reply to this demand, and still kept his head obstinately turned away. ' Bob,' she said again, and this time there was a little tremulous quiver in her voice, f don't be angry. Won't you forgive me, and say what's the matter with you ?' He turned and confronted her, with a pair of flashing hazel eyes. ' What's the matter with me ?' he repeated, scornfully. ' I wonder you give yourself the trouble to inquire. A little while ago, when I asked you for a dance, you very kindly proposed chucking over your partners. Well, Miss Shepperton,' he went on, looking at her sarcastically, ' I am foolish enough, or badtempered enough, whichever you like to call it, to object to being made a cat's-paw ! of. You have taught me a bitter lesson, but I shall not be such an idiot as to believe again in a hurry that a poor devil like myself could compete for one instant with the rich ' — laying a sneering emphasis on the word — ' Mr Denver.' Hi 3 speech stung her to the very quick. That Bob should call her Miss Sbepperton, and look so angry and disdainful, was more that she could bear. The hot blood rushed to cheeks and brow. 'It is untrue,' she cried impetuously, ' and you are as unkind as you are unjust. If Mr Denver possessed all the wealth of the world his riches would always remain a matter of indifference to ms. My faults are numerous, but up till now nobody has ever included mereenariness among their number ; and surely you, Bob,' with a reproachful look, ' are the last person in the whole universe to bring such a charge against me.' His countenance relaxed a little. He knew she spoke the Iruth. 'Then why did you go and dance with that wretched fellow when you were engaered to me ? Answer me that question if you can.' 'If I can ? Oh, Bob, I did it because I was absolutely forced to do so ; because mamma said if I did not waltz with Mr Denver when he asked me that I should not be allowed to speak one single word to you all through the evening. Do you suppose it gave me any pleasure to twirl about in Dennis Denver's arms? Do you suppose, after waiting and watching all night for you to come, that I too was not disappointed — probably far more so than yourself — at being defrauded of our dance ? Oh, Bob ! will you not admit to having been a little hard upon me ? for I do fpel so miserable when we quarrel.' ' You can't possibly feel more miserable than I.' ' Look at me, Bob, dear ; I am dreadfully sorry to have vexed you. You must know that, surely ?' He would indeed have been hard-hearted could he have resisted the soft tones of that tremulous voice, or the tender expression of those dark orbs. 'Forgive me, Dulcie.' he said, moved to a sudden fit of penitence. * I am a jealous brute. The only excuse 1 can make for my conduct,' drawing her little hand bhrousrh his arm, ' is, that 1 love you so dearly.' ' As long as we understand each other, Bob, nothing matter?.' ' Oh, my darling !' he whispered passionately — ' my clear little loving darling — I shall never find anyone to be so good to me as you are, or will care for me in the same true-hearted way. Heaven grant that some day I may prove worthy of such love. Is there no place,' looking around irritably, as people continued to wedge pa3t them towards the door, ' where we can be alone for a few minutes ? I've got such a lot of news to tell you, Dulcie.' ' Let us go into the garden,' she said. ' It is quiet there. ' (To be concluded.)