FOOLISHNESS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2604, 10 February 1904, Page 74

FOOLISHNESS.

By Folly.

(Foi the Witness.)

It was Wednesday evening. Hitherto he had never failed to appear at 8 o'clock punctually, but now it was past that hour, and still she was alone.

Ella Thompson picked up this maoazine and that, for a sufficiently interesting «lory, but all to no purpose : everything was dull and unentertaining.

"Wretched editors to publish such trash," she commented crossly, straining her ears to catch the first sound of his footstep. Still he did not come, and, petulantly throwing down the papers, the girl went to the piano and played a brilliant waltz. At least she would not continue to listen expectantly for his footfall.

Of course, it was all his fault — he ought not to have taken her at her word, as he appeared to have done. Surely he knew that the cruel words she had uttered were but the froth of a bad mood ! Surely lie would come}

Ella left the piano suddenly and crossed to the window. The Venetians were down ; but she opened them carefully, and looked furtively out; not for worlds would she have him find her anxiously watching for his coming. There was no one in sight, and with a weary sfgh the girl turned away and sat down on the couch. Honesty with one's self is as desirable as honesty witih one's neighbours ; and since she was miserable she might as well admit it. It was a quarter to 9— far too late to dream of his appearance. Ella's head drooped and presently she buried it in her hands. Two great tears rolled unheeded down her face, others followed them and soon the ghl was C1 in miserably Nothing mattered now. He could not love her very much, or else he would not have been so easily offended. Wihat a fool she was to care! But she did care, and the tears came faster and faster, until she was unable to restrain them. She buried her face on the cushions, and the scalding drops burst forth in even greater abundance.

"Frank, I can't do without you," she murmured desolately.

Just then the gate opened, and the lono--expected footfall greeted the girl's ears. She rose quickly, and fled from the drawing room into her bedroom, saying in a muffled tone to the sister whom she encountered in the hall, "Frank is at the door. Let him in, and I'll be there presently." Wondering at Ella's red eyes, the obliging sister obeyed the command and ushered the visitor in. - "Ella will be here in a moment," sh© sard, and would have withdrawn, but Frank M'Kay detained 'her.

"Is she busy?" he asked, rather nervously. Perhaps he was intruding. "No— but," hesitatingly, "I don't think she is well ; in fact, she must have a bad headache, I think. She was crying." M'Kay asked no more questions" but impatiently awaited Ella's event. Five minutes passed, then ten, and the man was on the verge of doing something desperate, wihen the door opened, and a very self-possessed little damsel appeared. ' M'Kay advanced eagerly towards her. "Ella, dear," forgive me." She looked at him in apparent surprise. "There is no need for me to do that," in a matter-of-fact tone.

He took possession of the hand that hung at her side. "Don't freeze me, sweetheart; I am sorry," he pleaded. "Don't be foolish, Frank. lam not in the mood for sentiment. Look at these magazines. Some of them came from England. I have a most obliging cousin over there. They are really interesting, and do credit to his powers of selection. I was reading them just before you came." Ella's eyes bent resolutely over the previously detested papers, and her fingers were occupied in turning their leaves. M'Kay looked sorrowfully at her, and drew a long sigh.

"If you won't talk to me as you used to do I may as well go away," he said sadly.

"As you like," the girl answered, and allowed him to bid her good-night and go. He walked slowly down the path and out into the street. Ella went back to the couch and buried her face amongst the cushions. What a proud little fool she = was. The hot tears came again, and again^' the cushions were saturated.

Suddenly the door opened, and someone entered the room.

"Go away," Ella said, without lifting her head ; "I've got a headache."

A man's arm was thrown about her, and a masterful voice answered, "Sweetheart, I won't go away. You have not got a headache, but I hope you've got a heartache. I have, and you certainly deserve to have.''

Ella was silent because of surprise. At last she managed to ask,

"How did you come in?"

"By the door. I had left it open. I looked through the window first — -someone had opened the blinds — and saw you. Forgive me now, and be good to me. Look up, Ella." "No, I won't,"' Ella answered decidedly.

'•Why?"

''Because, silly — " with a little laugih . . . "put down the gas : my eyes are all red."

The gas was immediately lowered, 'and with it the curtain as far as you, my readers, are concerned. Probably the curtains that hid Ella's inner self were drawn up and a much more humble and penitent individual revealed.