Oroville daily Butte record., 1857-01-28
Onuille DaiIq Datte ReeorG.
From the ''GoldeR Era"
A ID A $ L X IALS:
Or The Actors Dream.
BY L. p. LEsDERNIER.

his existence. True he thoughtlessly
neglected is most sacred privileges,
but there were hours when all the
world dwindled TO comparative moth.
lngness beside the sweet and beloved
influence Of domestic love.
He was the victim of terrible attacks
Of palpitation, from some incipient Or
ganic affection OF the heart and the one
shadow Of his life was morbid fear
Of sdden death. His nerves were
weakened by the frequent recurrence
Of the seemingly dangerous disease,
which he believed increased by his
professional laboTs, and after all, it
might bo more truthfuly ascribed to
late hours, hot suppcrs, and strong de-
coctioss Of high wines.
Be that as it may, the morning after
his visit to Floribell West found him
pale and suffering with one of his con-
stitutionaI attacks. The spasm past,
left the strong man in condition OF
nervous prostration pitlable to witacss.
At such moments 1t was the wife's pre-.
rogative to soothc and console him
None but she could rendor him the
needful care and attention. Sometimes
slight pang of regret assailcd him
He could not but be aware of her TN
firing devotion, her perfect abnegation
Of self to the caprices of his sick fan-
cy, or the whms Of his convaiescont
hour.
CHAPTER III.
Floribel West sat alone in her sump-
tuous boudoir, penning note, and
over her fair, white shoulder pecping,
(uncourteous action, | allow we might
read:
81 said, 'do not come tonight, dear
Carl, but retract | know you will
pardon lady's caprice. Do come to-
night. FLoRlnELL."
She sealed it, directed, and rising,
touched the spring OF the bell, 10 sum
mon her attendant. A delicate per-
iume pervaded the apartment, as
though its occupant shook odors from
her lovely tresses as she moved. 1t
fioated in the silver lighted air like the
subtle mist of u dream. a tap at the
door.
"Come in. Michael take this note
as directed. | expect my new maid at
eight it is now halfpast seven. You
will have returned by then, and can
bring the girl to me yourself"
With confident yes Miss Mich
acl departed on his crrand.
The lady unused, as she half reclined
on luxurious divan. There were pla-
cid smiles on her lips, and happy
thoughts in her heart. She knew Of
no bar to her honorable fancy for Carl
Preston, dreamed OF nothing that might
clash with her attachment, and yet
she shuddered as she attempted to di-
vine the mystery Of tomorrow.
Carl Preston never talked Of love,
to his credit be it said. although it is
doubtful if he ever really ftlt the pas
sion; so the credit belongs not really
so much to his judgment as to his in
different blood. 1t pleased him TO be
potted and admired, | might say court.
ed, by refined and elegant woman, and
his profession rather endowed him with
right to that sort Of adulation. lie
accepted it as matter OF course, and
gave in return what he could from his
exhausted sympathies, the shows of
alteration which taste and gallantry
must inevitably beguile from him, when
a creature so superb gave herself up to
tascnate him.
Floribell could not decide if his at
tentions to her were real or not. 1t
tortured her. He, at once fond and
courtly, knew well to seem the thing
he was not. his whole life was but an
assumption, and he played with hearts
in the drawing. room as lightly as in the
playhouse, and maybe with as little
effect on his individual feelings, when
the curtain was down.
81 will not trust the doubt. He
must, he does return my passion !" A
knock at the door startled her
"Come in,' she half shrieked, start
led so suddenly from her absorption.
l. Il