Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1855-06-13

her on the beach at six. Miss Carr had
refused several invitations for the beach
in hopes he would invite her. l Joined
her in the embrasure of window. The
music ceased, and we heard the melan.
choly roar of the sea. The night looked
dreary without. There were tears in
Meeta's eyes, and 1 knew the fast-thin-
ming ballroom looked dreary through
them. l half wished Talfourd would
but Meeta knew better. She
knew that ball room is no place for
woman's most subtle weapon. The next
moment she looked up from her droop.
ing wreath with an easy smile, al be-
lieve my mother is waiting" Oh,
smiles and flowers and jewels, how much
do We hidel Was hers the only aching
heart in that Newport ballroom that
night ?
Dancing, flirting, promenading, ma
neuvring, ten-pins, fast horses, sherry
cobblers, moonlight tete-a-tetes and Polka
Redowas went on at Newport. Well for
those who had not put their hearts on
the game L beheld with wonder the
Transformation of my friend Meeta Carr.
Her quick and practiced tact prevented
others from seeing anything in her ac-
tions but the caprice of petted beauty.
She had constitutional fear of horse
back exercise. 1 had once seen her,
after many solicitations, tremblingly al
low herself to be placed on the back ofa
steady, old worn-out Rosinate, but at
his first step she turned deadly pale, and
but for assistance would have fallen
fainting from the saddle. Now Talfourd
greatly admired lady equestrian. On
this account she determined to conquer
her dread. But her riding lessons were
hours of torture. She often returned to
her room with headache for the day.
She learned to ride with grace, as she
did everything else, but never without
palpitating heart, and sigh of relief on
Talfourd was a wonder to me as well.
His behavior to Miss Carr was always
distant and reserved, and yet he almost
constantly sought her society. Law
renee, 1 leave Newport tomorrow" he
said to me one day.
was not surprised to hear Miss Carr
announce to her bevy of admirers, that
the time set for their return to the city
was the beginning of the next week.
Again in New York, her trial to win
Talfourd's S love continued. knew that
her mornings were passed in the close
study of the German metaphysical works
he loved, and urged upon her. She had
no fancy for such things, but still would
dim her bright eyes poring over them
when she longed 10 be abroad in the
breezy October noon.
All at once she stopped and drew back
She was cool and smiling asa snow~drift.
Was it jealously ? had seen that pas
sion urge her to the putting forth of all
her powers. Had she concludedit hope
less ? No, the change would not have
been so sudden. l watched her for a
week and learned the explanation. She
had poor cousin, plain and delicate, to
whom Talfourd's feeling heart had made
him show many attentions. He would
bring her the lingering flowers of au.
tumn, move her chair to a sunny window,
reach her a fire screen, tell her the gos-
sip of the town, and in a thousand name
less ways cheer the poor girls existence.
These things Meeta had understood and
admired, but one day she saw him pick
up bunch of faded chrysantheums that
lay beside the piano, and conceal them
in his bosom. They were Laura's and
he stood aghast. GoD forbid that she
should come between that poor girl and
a love that would be to her as the one
ewe-lamb of her life With all the dis
Greet generosity of her nature, she be-
gan at once to crush back her feelings
| even reverenced her as looked on her
trembling lips and calm brow. With
another, even her proud spirit would
have struggled, but with her poor, sick
cousin-no Talfourd saw her anxiety
not to eclipse Laura in her presence, saw
she had misinterpreted his attentions,
and took care that she should do so no
more. The incident Of the flowers was
accidentally explained-he had thought
them hers. Her proud spirit was laid
open before him, and by her own gener-
osity. And so it was that meeting at a
bridal reception, after a month or two
more of eager trial and heart-burning on
Meeta's part, Talfourd said, in the most
every day manner,
"Ah! Miss Carr, 1 am glad to see
you here, for 1 should have only had
time to leave my P. P. C's at your door.
l am going abroad"
Meeta went through the suitable sur
prise and regret. when 10 you sail ?"
she inquired calmly.
"On Monday. Twill not say goodbye.
Au revoir.'
Each took a smiling and careless fare