SATISFIED AT LAST.

Western Star, Issue 161, 7 October 1876, Page 7

SATISFIED AT LAST.

She was a little, thing, possessing a slender but exquisitely-shaped form, with dark hair, banded back in massive shining braids from a classically outlined face, and shoe-black eyes, that were usually luminous with mischievous mirth.

But, ah! how I loved her, and. how many heartache-* I endured from her love of coquetry! Verily, I believe the spirit of mischief reigns supreme in jetty eyes and midnight tresses. I met her first at the house of a mutual friend, where we were both visiting ; but we were not (he only guests, for the house was filled almost to overft >wing with a merry company, who made the spacious old mansion ring again with their gay laughter and witty repartee. Rhoda Winter, the bewitching little lady whom I have attempted to describe, was in no wise behindhand in contribute ing her share towards, the general amusement ; and when the shouts of laughter were the merriest and the applause the loudest, it was generally- cabled forth by some sly drollery or apropos retort of hers.

In front of the house spread a bread lawn, dotted hero and there by a mound of brilliant-hued flowers or rustic urns filled with emerald mosses. And here was the croquet-ground —I shudder, even now at the name; and here, for hours daily, I was chained, together with my helpless brothers in misfortune, while the young ladies amused themselves by driving our balls about iu the most heartless manner.

Rlioda, as i£ to aggravate mo, invariably ranged herself on the side of my opponents, and appeared to take a malicious pleasure in my evident annoyance thereat; and after an unusually vicious stroke, which would send my unlucky ball flying to the farthermost extremity of the ground, she would watch me, with a merry Winkle in her eyes, as, under tho scorching sun, I industriously sped after it and placed it within the limits, though often, I must confess, with a flushed face and an irrepressible feeling of irritation. Her side invariably won the game, for she was a good player, and perfectly at her ease; while I, though usually considered a flue player also, could never make a respectable stroke, with her dark eyes bent upon me, rendering mo nervous to the last degree; and theu, when she bad triumphed, she would assume a bewitching air of regret and penitence, and make herself so agreeable that I could not help forgiving tho girl, and finding myself more hopelessly in love than ever, But it was not only in the game of croquet that she delighted to tantalise me. No ; it was always so. Did we go for a I’ide, she would contrive that it should fall to my lot to escort some other lady, a short distance behind her, that I might the better witness and appreciate her flirtations with her attendant cavalier, while occasionally she would dart an arch glance back at me, as if to say, “ You see I am not quite caught yet, sir ?” And if we made up a party to go on the water, and by chance I was so fortunate as to secure her as a companion, she would lean listlessly and silently back in one end of tho boat, and, dipping her white hand in the translucent water, watch me furtively from beneath her dusky eyelashes ; but to all my attempts at conversation, reply iu discouraging monosyllables. But, notwithstanding her strange, almost unaccountable behaviour, there wore times when she greeted my approach with smiles, and was so affable and charming that T knew it was no personal dislike to myself which influenced her, but only an inordinate love of mischief and coquetry. However, matters could not continue in this way for over ; for, whD with her numberless flirtations and caprices. 1 was becoming desperate. So, loving her as 1 did, I determined to win her at all hazards, and also, if possible, cure her of her terrible propensity for flirting ; for I knew that, however much I might be attached to her, I could never be really happy with a flirt as my wife. I decided to try her first with her own weapon, flirtation ; and so I at mice hocavae quite cool and distant in my com versatiou to her, and very assiduous in my attentions to Helen Palmer, a blueeyed, golden-haired little beauty," and also a most consummate flirt, who met in} r advances full half-may. llhoda did not seem to bo pleased at the loss of her would-be devoted cavalier, and I noticed that she did not appear quite as lively and spirited as formerly, but would sit, even when surrounded by her. merry friends, absorbed in serious t! ought; and often, if I glanced at .her from where I safe beside tho sprightly Helen, I would surprise her eyes fixed xipon mo with a half-reproachful, half- , wondering expression iu their midnight

depths ; but I would not relent, and, appearing not to notice her, would continue the merry badinage with my companion. But Ivhodadid not flirt as outrageously as she had formerly done, and I inwardly congratulated myself upon the success of my stratagem. One day, as I sat in the pleasant sunlit parlour, chatting gaily with my new “flame,” 1 noticed a very beautiful ring that she wore, and begged for a closer inspection. It was a rare emerald, surrounded by brilliant diamonds —a combination I always admired. Mho at once slipped it off, and handed it to me, smilinglv remarking that it was a birthday gift from a favourite cousin,

“ Alt,” I replied, ‘ cousins are serious things sometimes, Miss Helen, especially when they happen to be gentlemen.” .Siie blushed, and candidly replied, “To ted the honest truth, Mr Sheldon, it is a gentleman cousin, and a very dear one too; so dear, that sis mouths from this very day' I intend to change ray name for hi-. There! is my confession a very

great surprise ?” I acknowledged that it was not, as, from several remarks she had made, I hid already imagined that she was engaged, and said, in conclusion, “ Although I am net fortunate enough to bo able to claim a consulship, I should be much pleased to replace your ring with a wish.”

Silently she extended her hand, and, taking it, I was about to slip tlu ring upon her finger, when a slight rustle caused me to raise my 0} r cs, and there, in the doorway that connected the parlour with the library, stood Him da \V inter, looking at us with a mingled expression of grief, contempt, and astonishment. The next instant she turned, and, with a gesture of infinite scorn, swept away, and directly I heard the front door close after her. This was an event I had not anticipated ; and I knew that Uhoda had seen, me in the very act of placing a ring on her supposed rival’s finger, she would at once infer, and naturally enough too, that it was the seal of our engagement. This knowledge made mo very uneasy, and I tried various excuses to free myself from my companion, and finally succeeded. I hurried through the ball, and entered the fragrant garden. I glanced hastily around, but could see no trace of Ivhoda; and then suddenly I remembered a favourite haunt of hers—a rustic bench at the foot of a sturdy oak, from which the ground sloped gradually to the river’s bank below. So I hastened in that direction. But I saw nothing of her until I came m sight of her favourite resort; and there, as T had surmised, she sat; but her face was buried in her hands, while her whole attitude betokened the deepest grief. I crept softly to her side, and then by her low surprised sobs, I knew that she was weeping ; and ah, how I reproached myself then for my cruelty; Tenderly t threw my arms around her, and said, as quietly as my excitement would allow mo, “hYhat is the matter, Uhoda, my darling ? Won’t you let mo comforb.you ?” She started at ray touch, and the accompanying sound of my voice, but did not raise her head; and I continued, “ Won’t you tell me? Uhoda, won’t you give me the light to share your grief?” I cried passionately. Thrusting me from he*, she started to her fee", and drawing herself to her full height, exclaimed angrily, although the bright tears yob sparkled in her eyes, 0 Is it that you wish to insult me, Mr Shelton, that yon, the accepted lover of another, speak such words to me ? Or have yon followed me only to reproach me for being a listener to your lovemaking ? If the latter, I can assure you it was entirely unintentional,” and her lips curled. “ Far from It,” I cried, hastily, “ I am hero to toll you thah I love, adore you, and to ask yon to give mo this precious little hand to be my own forever?” And L pressed it to my lips, (Jut she snatehel it away, laughing scornful!v, and I thought rather hysterically, as she replied, L am not one to be satisfied with second love, Mr Sheldon ; 1 must be first, or nothing; but even were L content to take a secondary place, whit would Miss Palmer think of my acceptance of her recreant lover?” “ Miss Palmer! She is nothing to me, and never will bo; and more than that, she is ah', ady engaged. My darling, it is yon I love, and yon only will 1 wed.” Still she hesitated, and said doubtingly, “ But what did you moan by giving her a ring? For you did —t saw yon 1 ” And I prisoned her face between my hands. She struggled an instant, and then, (finding resistance useless, poivcd, “ Well, then, I love you, torment, and so I suppose I shall marry you some day. And now tell mo about that ring ; but remember, sir, if your explanation is not satisfactory, I withdraw my consent.” >So J. acknowledged my dece t j and

that I finally convinced her of my fealty to herself no one would doubt who could see us at this moment in our own happy home, while, as I write, she leans over my shoulder, and laughingly says that

“ she is pleased to see that, at last, I am willing to confess what a deceitful creature 1 was, although she trusts that, under her careful teaching, I have since improved vastly in that respect.” And I think so too, dear reader, for, in ovr cheerful, cosy little home, I have now lie reason to wish for a change. I am satisfied at last.