A WOMAN'S HEAET

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 200, 30 November 1871, Page 7

A WOMAN'S HEAET

"So you really have decided to make .Miss Clara Lyons Mrs. Paul Clayton ? Welt how condescending of you, Paul, to be sure. Allow me to congratulate you on your choice." And Charley Heyford said this with a voice very gaily modulated— as if he didn't love the ground the beautiful Clara stood upon.

" Pshaw !" canie from the pursed lips of Charley's vis-d-vis, handsome Paul Clayton. Then, as if feeling himself relieved of a part of his contempt, he continued —

" Yes, I've come to that conclusion, for not only is Clara fair, but her lands are more so. Besides, one can tell she's only waiting to be asked— these simpering blue-eyed girla generally have that way, you know. Therefore, it'll be moonlight, and to-night — by the way, what better place than this little summei'-house ? hey, Charley, romantic, quite, isn't it ?" And Paul laughed, just such a laugh as one might expect from this handsome, but cold man. Then having said his say, he sat stroking his black moustache with a hand the fingers of which were covered with costly rings.

Silence reigned for a few minutes, Paul waiting for the sighing Charley to spSak.

Why these two young me/a should become so intimate as to be bosom friends, only the law of contrasts can explain. Charley had all the frankness and good heartedness of your sanguine person.

As for Paul, such as he can easily be made villians of, should occasion require it, and would come to it as natural as to eat his dinner.

As I have said a silence ensued, which Charley broke by saying — " Well. I'm sure you have my best wishes for your success. But I suppose you don't value them much. What a lucky dog you are, to be sure, Paul — all the girls dying of Love for you. And one word ; when you propose, do act a little lover-lil r e, not as if you were making a sacrifice ; for between you and me, Miss Lyons is a high-spirited girl."

And he paused, not at all disturbed by the manner in which Paul received the advice so freely given.

" Ugh ! What nonsense you do manage to evaporate, Charley ! as if a woman's heart stood so much in. her way as to how I proposed ! Of course, inspiration will come at the right time, so we need not discuss the ' heart ' further. Now, as to preliminaries. The moon will be at its height at ten, and if you will only contrive to entertain, ihe other guests, we will manage

to take a walk in this direction. And, mind, Charley, you are to be my groomsman, according to our old compact. "

And Paul Clayton found himself almost enthusiastic when he had finished. Charley promised acquiesehc© iv . oi»ryri»i»£f._ TVnan, 9a if it, were . an everyday occurence, to be passed over lightly, Paul commenced another subject — totally unconscious that Charley was not the only listener 1

It grew late in the afternoon, and they were ' startled by hearing' the dinner-bell ; so they hastily arose.

On their way out Paul picked up a magazine which some one no doubt had dropped upon the floor.

" Halloa ! some fair one has forgotten this — one of the Miss Davenant's, no doubt. By the way, Charley, why don't you set your cap for her? — just your style — and what if she is scraggy? Davenants Hall is worth having. I had serious thoughts that waj once, for of course she encouraged me, but she isn't my style."

And this conceited, cold-blooded man meant what he said.

As for Charley he merely smiled, for j he knew Paul. • ]

Then they marched out, the latter without deigning to stoop down for the magazine.

On their way to the house they overtook Clara and Miss Davenant, who were hurrying, they told Charley, for the first bell-had already sounded.

As they entered the house, and separated to make their toilettes, they found the rest of the guests all ready ; so they had but little time.

As the second bell sounded, Clara came down. She met the exquisite Paul with more than her accustomed gaiety, entirely snubbing the hapless Charley, whereat Paul gave the latter a knowing look.

" You are late, Mr. Clayton, and you gentlemen aver we take all day to dress ourselves. Now, you musn-'t complain after this," Clara exclaimed, as she took his arm.

As for Charley, he took the "scraggy " Miss Davenant, and followed Paul and Clara to the dining-room. The rest of the guests went in couples; and soon they were at dinner.

" I really think this will be a splendid moonlight night ; don't you, Mr. Clayton ? The days are so long — yet they pass very quickly } at least, I find it SO j don't you?"

" Time does fly, Miss Lyons. Mr. Heyford and I, at least, have enjoyed ourselves very well ; and what a pity it will soon be over." And Paul looked squarely in Clara's blue eyes.

" Yes, it. will be soon over," Clara said with a queer smile, while her lovesick Charles, near at hand, apparently listening to the flippant Miss Davenant, heard every word. 1" Thfen we can look back upon the pleasure we have had,"

she added, looking into the dark eyes of Paul; who was thinkii,ig — " What a soft, romantic thing, to be sure !" My prey is indeed very shallow." Then aloud— ; " Miss Clara, I don't think half your lovers (I speak of the sex,, mind), would commit themselves were they not moonstruck/ he said, stroking his moustache with a complacent smile. •'Really, Mr. Clayton—" " Why not call me Paul, Clara 1 " " Well, then, Paul — what was I saying 1 Oh, yes, I know now. Heally you talk as if there were deceit on our side. Unless we were moonstruck we wouldn't answer 'yes' in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, as we learn afterwards to our cost. Some men are so deep, you know, that one cannot tell whether they mean what they say .or .not." " And looking at Paul, fancying that he seemed confused.

They had been walking along the path leading to the house, lingering behind Charley and Miss Davenant, for Paul had given Charley his cue. Nothing like a# preliminary skirmish, you know, to see how ilie land lies ! As Clara stopped speaking, she brought up near Charley, who was leaning against a rose-bush. Though it had grown quite dark, Clara could see the changing expression of his face, partly turned away, and knew that he had heard the last part of her conversation with Paul.

"It will be a splendid night — too nice to be in doors, don't you think so Clara ? " Jenny Davenant said, by way of breaking the silence, as the four stood " waiting for something to turn up," Micawber like. " Stay in the house to-night 1 Not a bit of it, Jenny. 1 want you all to be out with me for I intend to have a stroll past the summer-house." So saying Clara went into the house, which was being lit up, followed by the rest.

" Zounds !" thought Paul, "we must manage it so that you'll pass the sum-mer-house with me alone."

Having gained the drawing-room, Clara entertained them with some music, taking care that Paul alone should accompany her in her duetts. As it drew near ten, she got up, and giving Jenny her place at the piano, took Charley carelessly by the arm, saying — " Come, Mr. Hey ford, I'm dying for a breath of fresh air."

. And she and the delighted Charley went into the garden, notwithstanding Paul looked daggers aft Charley, who refused to take his cue.

"I'm sick of this farce, Charley," Clara exclaimed, as they walked along towards the summer-house, while he was in 'raptures on hearing himself addressed' thus familiarly; "and really the night' is so splendid- I couldn't stand it with 'that conceited Mr. Clayton-r-but I beg your pardon'; I really forgot he was your particular friend — "

"Ynurare excusable, Clara= — Miss Lyons," he interrupted, feeling somehow very happy ; for he had intended to give her an inkling of Paul's character — much as it might hurt his own honour. ' " But your lover is selfish, after all, as we know."

" Oh, do call me Clara," she said, for with a tvoman's cunning, she had learned Charley's secret.

Then seeing Charley's bashful silence, she said —

" After all, one can hardly tell true friends from false ones ; somehow or other I've learnt a good, deal of wisdom within the past day," and she looked at Charley. May be the moon was shining too strongly on their faces, for at that moment they perfectly understood each other.

"Clara, clearest Clava, I want to warn you from this man. I know you'll think meanly of me, but — " "Enough; I know more than I ought to, as you will soon learn. Excuse me for interrupting you." And Clara said this to help Charley in his embarrassment.

As for him, before he knew it, he found himself on his knees, saying earnestly —

" I must know the worst at once. Clara, dearest, will you be my wife ?"

"Yes."

Hardly believing the result, Charley sealed the compact with a kiss, and the next minute Clara said, laughingly, as she heard Paul's voice in the distance, hallooing for Charley —

"The Miss Davenanfc's and myself were in the summer-house early this afternoon, and in coming out I dropped the magazine I had been reading. I thought no more of it until we had almost reached the house, when I missed it. So going back I thought I might find it in the summer-house or on the grounds leading thereto. It was not on the ground, so I made for the summer-house, and as I was about to enter, I heard my name mentioned, and involuntarily I stopped and listtened, I heard every word that passed between you and Mr. Clayton, and since then, I have been maturing a plan. Here comes the gentleman ; won't you please hide yourself, in the shadow of yon tree, dear Charley, and watch the fun."

Clara had anything but fun in her eyes. In fact, she dint know whether to make a tragedy of it or not ; Charhy had no sooner hidden,himself, than Paul Clayton made his .appearance, asking- carelessly wherp her eonitiany' wag. , " .' .

"As if I wanted company J But bow beautiful and serene everything is around ; one would indeed think" this an Eden." and she said this in a very romantic voice indeed. , " Yes, it is romance," the majestic Paul assented. / " I don't suppose it is so romantic to you, as to me, a simpering blue-, eyed girl, you know," she said, looking at the inquisitive, Paul who had forgotten to lead her into the sum-iner-hou.se near at hand. Clara saw be recognised his own wqi'ds, but he said — "After all, romance is a nice thing. See the beautiful moon ; here in its light I offer you my hand and heart." Had the ground been a velvel carpet he might have got on his knees ; a,s it was be bent his ear to catch the joyous ' ; Tea." But it came not, instead —

" Eeally, how condescending of you, to be sure. I don't see why jou should ask me. inasmuch as my lands are fairer than myself. Besides, I haven't any heart and you must not think me cruel if I refuse your overwhelming offer."

Paul Clayton hardly waited to hear Clara out, but ran off, and, as he" did so, wondered if Charley had betrayed him. Much against his will he was compelled to stay until the first train in the morning — about five o'clock.

Before the 'summer was over Clara became Charley's wife.