The Lamp in the Desert

veliness as seldom came her way; but the sight gave her no pleasure. She deemed it extremely unsuitable that Stella should dance at all on the eve of her wedding, and when she realized that nearly

never been known to dance if he could find any legitimate means of excusing himself-waltzed Stella

Mrs. Burton, the Major's wife. "She fla

"It will not make us think any the mo

course Mrs. Ralston," she raised her long pointed chin upon the name, "will please herself in the matter. She will probably be the first to try and draw her in, but what Mrs. Ral

f the lady last named who was approaching them in the company of Mrs. Ermsted, the A

ing sunset. She had a diffident manner in society, but yet she was the only woman in the station who refused to follow Lady Harriet's lead. As Tommy ha

very good to her on more than one occasion, and the most appreciative remark that Mrs. Ermsted had ever found to make regarding her was that the poor t

rriet gave to each her distincti

you dancing, Mrs.

ted. "You want the temperament of a sa

the ball-room. Stella's delicate face was flushed, but it was the exquisite flush of a blush-rose. Her

to know that that wild-rose complexion won't survive the summer. Captain M

enchanting to-night,"

nose was instantly elevated a little higher. "So man

n Monck to be one of them," she said. "He is obviously here as a matter of f

s not a very high one. "That may account for Captain Dacre's extremely complacent attit

ted. "It will be interesting to watch developments. We all know what Ca

ven a front one at the same show for long," she observ

," declared Mrs. Ermsted. "She has practise

ston, "forgive me, but t

ehow robbed the act of any serious sting. "Poor Mrs. Ralston holds such a high opinion

aid nothing, but they were none t

ly a spirit. Stella was more brilliantly beautiful that night than she had ever before seen her, and she longed to hear a word of appreciation from that hostile group

y a flirtation in the days that were past and it was well known that Captain Ermsted heartily detested him in consequence. Some even hinted that matters had at one time approached very near to a climax, but Ralph Dacre knew how to handle difficult situations, and with considerable tact had

restlessly about within the bungalow. He would claim that as a right she knew, and once or twice remembering the methods of his courtship a little shudder went through her as she danced. Very willingly would she have left early and foregone all intercourse with her lover that night. But there was no es

n bedtime came at last. And the night would be so short-ah, so short! And so she danced and laughed with the gayest of the merrymakers, and when it was over at last even the severest of her critics had to admit that her triumph was complete

and it was he who finally dispersed the irresponsible throng at the steps of the verandah, handing

away to the darkest corner, and there he pushed back the

to avoid. But at the touch of his lips upon her neck she shivered. There

think you must say good-bye to me. I am tired to-night.

to-morrow!" he said, and kissed her again with a lingering persistence that to her overwrought nerves had in it something

lightly away from him, "Yes, I want to rest for the few hours th

been to-night! I have been watching you with the rest of the world, and I shouldn't min

boured against some oppression. "It's

n of first in, and I never was one to let the grass grow. I plucked the fr

possessively, and again involuntarily she shive

aid. "What is it? Surely you are not nervous at the thought of to-morrow

hat it sounded foreign even to herself. "Oh, no, I am

is time to-morrow. One kiss and I will let you go. You witch-you encha

own by some heavy weight. "Nor I," she said, and

nce to the obvious lack of corresponding delight on her part. She was already in his estimation his own property, and the thought of her happiness was one which scarcely entered into his consideration. She had accepted him, and no doubt she realized

or alms, well-satisfied with himself and with all the world on that wonderful night that had witnessed the final triumph of the woman whom he