Ruby's Reward — page 156: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Every now and then he would drop some fond word which betrayed toward what all this was tending, and such language from him was very disagreeable. ‘*Ruby,” he whispered, once when they were dancing together—he had taken to calling her Ruby of late, and it aroused her antagonism— Ruby, do you know that you are very lovely to-night? That waxen lily in your hair is wonderfully becoming.” She tossed her head, making those shining petals quiver, as if suddenly en- dowed with life, and laughed lightly as she retorted ; * Allow me to return the compliment, Mr Carpenter ; that doufonniere of evening primroses is a great addition to yovr cosLume. But 1 trust that the language of the flower is not an index to your char- acter.” * L shall have to thank you for enlighten- ing meas to the name of the flowers, for 1 did not know it, while am wholly ignorant regarding their sentiment. Pray tell me what it is.” ‘Perhaps it would be unwise for me to do so; it might destroy your enjoyment of the banquet.” “Nay, tell me,” he persisted. ‘ Their languace is inconstaucy.” * Surely you cannot think them an index of my character !’ he said, with an accent of fond reproach that brought a flush to her | cheek. ‘©] meroly said I hoped such was not the case,” she answered, striving to speak in- differently. * What is the language of the lily 2” Ed- | round asked, hestowing a covetous look upon the pure blossom, She flushed again at the question, but said, lightly : *] shall leaye you to find that out for yourself.” cemidhoolss.com |