Zula Part 21

"Oh, I guess they will at least have clean faces," said June, significantly.

"The guests are already beginning to arrive," said Paul, as he stepped to the door.

"Is it not too bad? I asked Paul to take part in some of the dances, and he very politely but decidedly refused. He said that he might look in occasionally, but the greater part of the evening he should devote to papa's amus.e.m.e.nt."

"That is quite proper, and it is well for you that he refused. It would have looked extremely out of place for your brother's valet to appear with your guests."

"I suppose it would have been the means of our losing caste," said June, a little sarcastically.

At that moment Scott appeared.

He stopped a moment, feasting his eyes on June's bright face and beautiful dress, then an admiring glance rested on his wife, but he said nothing, only politely offering himself as their escort.

It seemed a wonder to Irene that Scott could not see how sweetly June was dressed. Her dress of pale blue satin, cut just low enough to reveal the lovely white neck, the delicate sprays of forget-me-not and sapphire jewels were wondrously becoming to her fair complexion and sunny hair, and Irene, although possessed of an envious nature, could not help acknowledging that June looked lovely indeed.

"June," said Irene, as later in the evening they were standing together, "who is that sweet looking girl you introduced me to--the one in that rich garnet silk? I did not quite understand her name."

"Why, that is Miss Horton, the country girl," said June, biting her under lip.

"Why, what little dimpled hands she has."

"Yes; they are very pretty. That fine, intelligent young man talking to Scott is her brother Guy."

"Is it possible? There _is_ something fine looking about him."

"Oh, yes; they say he is quite an orator, as well as a literary person, and is talking of starting a publishing house somewhere. Mr.

Eggleston tells me he is very ambitious."

"You must introduce me when he and Scott have finished that very earnest conversation. You know I am partial to literary people, and don't forget to mention that I write."

"You have forgotten that he is from the country."

"Oh, of course I did not mean anything by that remark."

June was left alone, and ere long she noticed Irene seated near the young lady in the garnet silk, with Max Brunswick leaning over her and speaking in a low voice. Guy's eyes rested on the couple, and as was natural to any one present, could not fail to notice their fine appearance.

"Who is the gentleman leaning over that beautiful woman in the cream colored silk?" Guy asked.

"His name is Brunswick."

"Colonel Max Brunswick?" Guy asked, suddenly.

"Yes," said Scott, "do you know him?"

"He must be the gentleman who wrote me in regard to taking an interest in my business. I gave him no encouragement, as I do not think it policy to hurry matters of that kind. He may be all right, though. He seems to have his mind just at present concentrated on that beautiful young lady before him."

Scott tried to say that the young lady was his wife, and looking at her as Guy did, he thought that the attentions which she was receiving were not at all unpleasant to her. He tried to speak ere Guy had a chance to wound him further and tell him that she was his wife, and Brunswick only her friend, but even with all his ready tact and easy flow of language he was unable to speak the words.

"He is extremely devoted, is he not?" continued Guy. "I suppose all the angels in heaven cannot compare with her. Well, she is a lovely woman. I must request you to introduce me, if that gentleman will allow me the privilege."

Scott could not bear to have Guy speak again in this manner, and he said in a hurried manner:

"That lady is my wife."

Guy looked the surprise he felt. He had not thought of her being a wife at all, much less the wife of Scott Wilmer, and he would have recalled the words if he could--words which he knew must have wounded Scott, for he was well aware that there was nothing in his nature that savored of frivolity. He could offer no apology, but was quite careful not to speak of Colonel Brunswick again.

CHAPTER XV.

REJECTED.

"Miss Wilmer, if you knew how deeply, how truly, I love you, you could not receive my attentions as coldly as you do. I did not dream that you would be so indifferent."

Mr. Linton raised June's little hand to his lips. He had asked her to walk with him on the lawn, which she, for the sake of courtesy, did not refuse. The clouds of the morning had cleared away and the stars were shining brightly. The light from the street lamps and from the s.p.a.cious windows of the Wilmer mansion was softened by the shade of evergreen and cl.u.s.ters of shrubbery. The wide lawn, whose soft green carpet sparkled here and there with drops of dew, seemed a fit place to pour forth dreams of youthful love to willing ears, for at least a dozen couples might have been seen promenading the flagstone walks with which the green sod was separated in fair designs. June had thrown a soft blue mantle around her shoulders, for, as she said, Scott had always cautioned her against the damp night air. Scott was as full of notions as any old woman, Rene said, about night air, walking in the dew or sitting in the draught. She saw Rene sparkling in her beauty and promenading the lawn, leaning on the arm of the Colonel, and once as she followed quite near she observed that he was leaning very closely, speaking in low, tender tones, and as Rene lifted her glowing face to his she saw him kiss her lips. A cold fear shot through June's heart. Could it be possible that Rene could be so careless of her own reputation and Scott's happiness? She hoped that Mr. Linton had not noticed the action, and she did not think he had, as he was at that moment speaking to her of his love.

"Where is Scott?" June asked.

"Oh, June, are you here? I thought it was Nellie Blake. I knew you were out on the lawn, but I thought I saw you at the other side," said Irene in a half frightened voice.

"You were mistaken. Is Scott here?" June asked again.

"I should think not. I saw him and Mr. Horton sitting together, apparently discussing something of great importance, when I left the house; but you know, June, he never finds time to act as other men do," Irene said, trying to find some way to throw the blame on another than herself.

June made no reply, but as she requested Mr. Linton to turn in another direction she heard Max saying in a tender way:

"Poor darling! It is so hard to live with an uncongenial nature, isn't it? I am so sorry for you."

June did not hear Irene's reply, but she wondered how she could bear such flattery, or how she could hear her n.o.ble husband spoken of in such a slanderous way, and she thought she must speak to some one on the subject, but to whom she did not know.

"Miss Wilmer," Mr. Linton said again, "if you knew how much I loved you you would at least condescend to reply when I tell you so."

"Please pardon my carelessness, Mr. Linton."

"Ah, yes, but truly, my dear, I have waited for some time to speak to you, and this seems just the time for such bliss as will be mine when you tell me that you will be my wife. You are, of all the young ladies I have met, just the one to go with me to England. I shall feel proud to tell my people that I have given you the preference."

"Indeed, Mr. Linton," she said, "I have never thought of marriage. I am too young to think of that."

"Beg pardon, my dear, but my wife must be young."

"I have a great deal to learn before I shall have experience enough to marry any man, and I shall probably not marry until you are settled in life."

"How matter of fact you talk, Miss June. You cannot love as I do, or you would discard all such unromantic thoughts. You would not think of putting time or distance between us."

"I do not wish to hear of love from any man, for it is farther from my thoughts than any other subject at present."