Butte record. (Bidwell, Butte County, Cal.) 1853-1858, 1857-01-31

tioa'ed IN the silver lighted air like the
subtle mist of dream. A tap at the
door.
"Come in. Michael take this note
as directed l expect my new maid at
eight it is now halfpa seven. You
will have returned by then, and can
bring the girl to me yoursrlf"s
With confident 'Yes Miss Mich
ael departed on his errand.
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
petted and admired, | might say court
ed, by refined and elegant woman, and
his profession rather endowed him with
"A right to that sort of adulation. He
accepted it as a 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
creature so superb gave herself up to
iascinate him.
Flori5ell 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
play house, and maybe with as little
eff ct on his individual feelings, when
the curtain was down.
Il will not trust the doubt. He
must, he does return my passion !" A
knock at the door startled her
'Come in," she half sbrieked, start
led so suddenly from her absorption.
A female entered. Floribell arore
astonished. She knew that face. The
two women gazed at each other for
moment in silence, and then Floribell
said, haughtily and hastily:
"Miss Montmorency, really Ito
what circumstance am [ indebted for
the honor Of visit so unexpected :"
A fash of jealousy swept her fine
face, for rumor had coupled the name
of this young girl and his together.
From some far region of recollection the
wlnking goddess now recalled the sto-
ry. She drew herself to her full height
in anticipation of the reply.
Ada Montmorency spoke calmly, Sc
riouslv. as though the hope of her life
were not at stake in the interview with
this naughty woman, whom she had
come to cross.
81 knew there must be some misun-
derstandsng when yonr servant assur-
ed me that was expected, and desired
me to 90 at once to your apartment
but he would listen to no explanation,
and fearful that | might not otherwise
be admitted to an interview, | availed
myself of the chance thus offered me.
| must speak 10 you for few moments
on a subject concerning me nearly 1t
may disturb you, but beg you will
grant me your unprejudiced attention.
''Go on, am prepared to listen to
you, although [ am at loss to con-
ceive what subject of interist we can
possibly have in common"
"Pardon me, Miss West, but the
well being of two lives is in your pow
er, mine and his-Carl Preston's."
"What is he to you, young woman :"
asked Floribell, while an indignant
frown rifted the snow of her brow
Ada raised her calm eyes to the face
of the questioner, and a soft, sad smile
parted her ripe lips as she breathed
her answer:
Gle is my husband ~
The stately lady stepped a few pac-
es backward, as the before undreamed
announcement saluted her ears. With
a hurried gesture she motioned her Wis
itor to a seat, occupying one herself
out of the light.
4 da Continued:
81 have dared to come TO you be-
cause | know YOU to be too noble, gen
erous and good, to persist in course
which conveys pain to another heart
All. dear Miss West, let your better
reason hold umpire over your heart.
Save my husband from himself and me
from despair and do not blame him
for anything that is past. L cannot
blame him for paying homage to you. "
Say no more | will right what is
wrong. You shall see that | will do 1T,
and you shall help me.'
She extended her hand in token of
The compact Ada pressed it between
her own one moment, with silent ques-
tionings of the lady's eyes. Their ex-
preston satisfied her. She quietly
made her adIeu, and Floribell was
again alone
She clasped her wide, white brow
with her hands, as if to still the thun-
der of thought booming through her
brain.
We will leave her now for little,
to settle between her heart and her
conscience as best she may.
A week went by. Carl still contin-