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.TO-DAY'S SHORT STORY.] Head…

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.TO-DAY'S SHORT STORY.] Head or Heart P I. (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.) Hilda. Vane was what is known as a girl of exceptionally strong commonsecse, by which, was meant a remarkably well- deWoped capacity for looking after number on,e. Her friend:s-eibd she had a fewlled "her prudent; while her enemies—and she had a good manly-rouudly asserted that it was selfishness, pure and simple, that claimed the greatest part of her warship. | And it is an ugly faot that had the secret opinion of Hilda's parents been available it would have been found in full accord with that of their beautiful daughter's enemies. They were not rioh people, never had been or never expected to be, and the way in which they had stinted and denied them- selves in order to first educate and then keep their only child in the swimwas known only to themselves—and Hilda. As this special beauty haod the wit to keep all the objectionable traits in her character out of sight when out of her own home, or when strangers were present in it, she was voted a distinctly charming girl, and had even more than her due share of admirers, She was amcritious, and as she valued both herself and her beauty at a very high rate indeed, was not likely to throw her sen away either for low or caprice. Animated by sentiments like these, the prowl beauty went on her disdainful way, wounding otners. oat herseif untouched until she met Bertram West. Bertram, who waos nothing if not impulsive, fell ocean deep in love witn the superb brunette at the very first meeting, and pressed his suit wail so much earnestnd that witnui two months he had wrung irom to i object of his love a conieseion that It was rewirmxi. From that w an engagement of the formal order was but a sttp, tio that Hilda's parents, who coraia-liy liked the young man, had at length the satisfaction of receiving him as a prospective son-in-law. It was a happy time for all, if it had only lasted, for Hilda, whether really softened by the devotioa of ner hacc!aome lover, or only deluding herself into the belief that she was so, certainly showed a nearer approach to true womanliness than -he had ever done before. And, perhaps, hau Bertram been less proud of atr. iee* eajer to sliow off fcia treasure, his baronet cousin, ir Hugh \Vta>t, i might have dated his first meeting with her :rom his attendance at Bertram's wedding; Out Bertram took the firwt opportunity to introduce hi* cousin, and so it came about that Hilda and Sir Hugh met. "Well, what do you thin. of him, dear?" asked Bertram. "he isn't half bad, is he— ?on«deiring what common report makes him ,>ut lo be?'' "Common report," replied Hilda, sententi- ously, "is nearly always wrong, or at least is as often wrong as right. I think he is very nice." "I'd teil him you said 80, only it might make him conceited; he oas a tendency that way. "Do you think everybody attaches ae much value to my opinion a6 you do, you silly boy?" said Hiuia, smUing up at hun as he bent over her. Don't see why they shouldn't.—if they've any seme," he rejoined, fondly kissirvg her. But, seriouscy, darling, I'm glad you feel diajKosed to be friendly to poor Hugh. So ;ew people are, I'm sorry to say' In her bedroom that night Hilda sat for Ii, long time staring at vacancy, and what the was thinking of was only hinted at in some disjointed words which escaped her as she finally roaseri herself from her reverie. "Of course, it would be a pity-but five thousand a ye>ar—and he is so handsome and the other so—still When the baronet in turn was asked, what he thought of the lady, his reply wa-s that, ) far as looks went, she wa-s an eye- opener." Sir Hugh was in no hurry to return to the country, thous'h he knew that it was his only cha-noe of enjoying good health. But taking up his quarters in a, fashionable botei met hits cousin's inquiries by the asser- tkvn that he 'elt lik? taking advantage of the opportunity to renew some old acquain- taraceahips. Bertram's curiosity was easily satisfied, and the explanation sened-für him. But there were others whose eyes were keen-er. and who he^an, as time went on. to form certain sinister conclusions. Among these was Hilda's mother, who, with the bitter knowledge of her daughter's ealcu- lating selfishness ever nnon her, was quick to detect the direction matters v.-ere taking. At first she kept silence, hoping she had been mi-taken, but at length, unable to resist the growing force oi evidence, went to her huaband and told him all. "Yon are not mistaken. Mary?—you are swre you are not mistake-,il" he asked, brokenly. 'Throw over that splendid fellow, Bertram, for a worn-out profligate brute like Sir Hugh Wa5t I tell you it cannot be trn'" "It its ti-tie. I am not mistaken. Henry; it is known to everybody—to everyoody except Bertram-Grd help him! Oh, how could she it?- h .)w could s?l do it?—how could she have the heart to do it?" wringing her hands in an agony of grief and shame. At that moment Hilda came in. Glancing from the one to the other, she seemed to dtvine what had happened, for her face hardened. "What is the matter?—are you two quar- relling about anything?" she asked, inso- lently. "Be silent'" said her father in a tone and ffith a look on his face that frightened her, bold though she was. "It is for us to a«k, and you va answer, questions from hence- forth, be yonr stay in this house long or short." "Well. what are the questions?" she asked, with just a touch of trepidation. "Is it true that you have jilted Bertram in favour of his cousin?" "-Jilted1" raising her eyebrows. "Answer niy question, girl. I am in no mood for quibbling." Well, Sir Hugh has aslied me to marry him. but I have not answered him yet." "Have not answered him! How dared he ask uch a question—how dared you hear such a question, in the circumstances? And you are weighing possibles and probables, doubtless, before giving that answer?" Hilda, you will not, you cannot do so vile a thing as to break faith with Bertram for- for money?" grasped Mrs. Vane, the last hateful word choking in the poor ladys thloat. I do not see wh;1t there is to make all this fuss about, said Hilda, in an injured tone. "Of course, I like Bertram, but-but he is comparatively poor; and if he loves me will see that his cousin offers me infinitely greater advantages than he can. If he dcee tut, he will be very unreasonable." Before the utter, callous selfishness of that sneech the hearts of the listeners sank like lead. Mr. Vane rose a.nd extended a trembling ha-iid to his wife: "<"oni.\ Mary." he said, with a bitter senile: "theie can be- no congratiilations, no blesd- in-ss, of ou;s on this- ba-rgain. They are well intched 1 et them go." Ar-i without further word or look the stricken couple crept from the room, leaving their daughter to sympathise wuth herself as a very ill-used girl indeed. Bertram took the blow more quietly than tthose who knew him had locked for, but that might be because the vf-ry jorc* of it lent him at least present aid by stunnrag- him into eeroi-tfttipor. But at the doorr he .stepped and locked back, with a face like that of a dead man. 'He called you an 'eye-opener' when first he met you," he said. "He is a liar, and worse, Miss Vane, but in that he told the truth. You have opened mine—so widely that I shall never be able to shut them in faith again." (iismispal of Bertram and subsequent engagement to his cousin caused endless talk, a.nd ivooe of it of the kindly order either, but Hilda did not care. Bertram had gone ahr-oad. and the excitemen-t of preparation for the forthcoming marriage sufficed to smother regret, if at any time she felt any. And then, jus,t a fortnight before the date fixed for the wedding, the sword of Nemesis fell. A hastily written notice in the morning papers startled all who read it, and turned Hilda Vane to stone. Sir Hugh West had died in the night, and the title and estates had paeeed to his cousin Bertra.m-the man whose love had been hers, and hers to throw awa.y. Heart had found an avenger-in full.

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