A Heart-Song of To-day | Page 3

adorn his harem, when I pined for freedom, he would not despise the American eagle done in gold as an exchange for my liberty."
"Cold, glittering metal versus warm, loving heart of woman, and such an one as you, never!" he answered, following her cue and looking her in the eyes.
"I care not, he cannot afford to offend me," thought Mrs. Tompkins, and so only showing a velvet paw, making a step towards him, her rich crimson robes of velvet trailing after her, now offered her hand. "Here is my hand, George, bid me good-night, and like a good fellow go at once, and I forgive you."
"Dismiss Trevalyon first, I am an older friend than he," he answered sulkily.
"I shall not; this is my boudoir, and, thank fate, I am my own mistress."
"Then, by the stars, I stir not one inch!"
Both reckless, both determined, how would it end? and so Trevaylon thought, as he said, coolly:
"What is the use of acting like this, Delrose? You certainly made your entree later than I, if you are making a point of that; but a soldier is usually more yielding to woman's wish."
"Not often, Trevalyon, when her wish is the will of a rival," he answered hotly.
"The fancy of a woman _a present_," thought Trevalyon. "But I must end this, for he won't. I am in no mood for trifling, I have again missed seeing Vaura. Mrs. Tompkins is charming in a _tete-a-tete_, but with the entree of a soldier on the war-path," and stepping towards his hostess he said gallantly: "So fair a foe, dear Mrs. Tompkins, surrounded by soldiers, is unfair; I beat a retreat. May I carry a comforting message to the gentleman who called upon you this morning?" and the blue mesmeric eyes rested on her face as he bent his handsome Saxon head for her reply.
Her dark eyes met his in a pleading way, but she read no weakness there, and thought as she gave him her hand:
"A man with an unsatisfied longing for another woman is difficult to subdue, but if George had not intruded himself, I should not have let him go till I had brought him to my feet, but I shall be revenged on him, and win my love yet," and her hand lingered in his, while she said:
"You may, he is your friend; you will be much with us."
"Thank you, for the two-fold kindness. Now gladly shall I be your Mercury. Good-night," and lifting her hand to his lips, he was gone.
"Then you really mean to wed Colonel Haughton?" enquired Delrose in unsteady tone.
"Come and sit beside me, Kate; you sat beside that other man. Gad! I feel like shooting the follow."
"Mere bravado; gentlemen only meet their equals."
"Don't take that tone with me Kate, or by heaven he shall suffer."
"Good-night Major Delrose," she said mockingly. "I leave your presence, sans ceremonie as you entered mine."
And with the gas-light lighting up red-robes, jewels, coal-black tresses and a smile all cruel, she was about to leave him.
"Stay, Kate, I command you. How will it be when I set the London world on their ear, over your parentage, daughter of a nobody, your gold from the Cosmopolitan Laundry."
Kate winced.
"It would be then a Haughton's turn to leave _sans ceremonie_; make up friends, Kate," and his face softened, and going over he led her, though unwillingly, to a seat beside his own.
"What a bore a persistent lover with a long memory is," thought Kate. "But I cannot afford to quarrel with him."
"You are not serious, Kate. You will never sever the tie that binds us?"
And bold man, though he was, his voice trembled as leaning forward he strove to read the inmost thoughts of the woman who has played with his affections at will.
"You said you loved me once, Kate, but I fear your heart had no part in the matter, my devotion amused you, my bold wooing was a novelty, the soldier in me was a change after the King of Laundry?"
"How dare you name the source of my wealth and to me!" she said haughtily.
"Because, my dear, I know your weak point; and even though I anger you, anything to turn your thoughts to myself; you must admit, Kate, that it is hard lines for me; marry me, dear, and I am your slave, my love for you will never change; it is as fierce and passionate as ever."
And leaning forward his hands on her knees, he strove in vain to imprison hers.
"While mine has changed," she said coldly; "love would indeed be a tyrant, could we not roam at will."
And a vision of mesmeric eyes with a smile, sweet as a woman's came to her. At her words Delrose buried his face in her hands and groaned heavily, as though his heart would break. Then