Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1861-06-26

chooser."
MK ARIAN AMES and Jeannet-
sXT2 te Randall sat in their rooms,
looking ont over the misty, turbulent sea
looking out and thinking OF Paul Nor
gan. The seaside cottage where they
were staying was full, and they were
obliged to room together. Indeed, they
had chosen this at first, for the, had
been friends for six weeks before. They
called themselves SO now but they felt
a spirit like Gains in their hearts as they
looked at each other with stealthy eyes.
In fact they hated each other--as girls,
even very good girls, not unfrequently
do when they love the same man. God
help us! How little it means when we
say we are friends! How weak we
are '.t
Which did Paul Morgan love? Both
were pretty, at times really handsome
Both had fair hair and blue eyes, peach
blossom checks, and lips meant for kiss
es; but there were plenty Of points of diff
erence. Marian was year older and tall
er. Her. eyes were deeper, her lips
smiled more rarely. Jeanette was mer-
~ as summer bird. 1t had always
been summer will hen life.
What had Paul Morgan done to make
them both love himg Nothing, consci-
ously: for, to tell the truth, neither of
them faiI and sweet as they were, had
ever quickened pulse of his heart. He
was selfish, like the rest, and he had his
own plans to serve.
There were moro than these two girls
at Sachem's head. Agatha Churchill
was there also. 1t was no mystery to a
man why all the men admired Agatha,
naughty and Indifferent TO them as she
was. The women all wondered at it, for
she was not at all pretty. What was
better, through, she was wonderfully
beautiful at times. She had great grey
eyes, and long lashes as black as her
heavy hair. You should have seen her
when some moment of intense excite
ment diated the pupils Of those eyes
till they looked intensely black, and the
slow color came up into her cheeks and
glowed there steadily. All lesser lights
paled before them. But the next morn
ING you saw her differently. Stylish
looking-her tall, slender figure could
not fail of that-but still and quiet: her
eyes light gray, her cheeks colorless, her
manner SO very tranquil. She had no
intim'. to friepd. She was there with her
mother, whom she petted and cared for
tenderIy, but in whom she did not con-
fide. Had she any secrets to tell? No
body knew, but Paul Morgan meant to
find out. f...
Marian Ames and Jeanette Randall
each thought, by turns, that Morgan fan
cied herself; then feared lest his love
was given to tho other; but neither Of
them dreaded Miss Churchill. In truth,
he never was very attentive to her. 1t
was not his mode Of warfare. He be-
slowed most of his gallantres on the two
fair blondes. He rode with Marian to-
day; he sailed with Jeanette tomorrow.
He walked with one in the morning; he
sang and danced with the other in the
evening. And so they sat, this twilight,
in their own room, hating each other
almost hating themselves.
care you going down to-night?"
1t was Jeanette who spoke. 1t was
always more difficult for her to keep 81
leuce than for Marian. Besides, she had
never looked deeply enough into her
own heart, to realize how she was grow
ing to feel toward her friend. Marian
had. She answered, carelessly-
81 suppose So"
"There will be dancing" Jeanette
went on. "Let us dress. Something
dark will suit this misty night"
"And your style of beauty" sneered
Marian. 9
aOf course1 had not forgotten that
I always confess to my share of vanity
She laughed and went on dressing
When she had finished she looked her
handsomest. Her dress was black silk,
and she had pink roses on her bosom.
Marian wore white. 1t did not suit
the night very we'll; but she was caprici
GUS, and it pleased her fancy.
Paul Morgan met them with a good
deal of empressment when they came in
to the hall. He claimed Marian for the
first waltz, and Jeanette for the second;
and each believed, for the enchanted mo-
ments she was dancing with him, that
she held his heart.
When the two waltzes were finished
he walked along to Agatha. She stood
by the table, turning some stereoscopic
views with a dreamy air. She looked like
a character out of an Oriental romance.
She wore dress of some soft material,
plated in the richest and brightest Of col
ors. A sort of turban of shining. silvery
gauze was twisted about her head. Gold
en- serpents, with cleaning scales and
little emerald eyes, were upon her arms.
Not another of the twenty women in
the room could have worn her geustume,
but she was royal in it. It was one of
her hours of beauty aud, power. A keen
delight kindled Morgan's glance as he
looked at her. She raised her head
presently, and their eyes. met. -oi e..
"Yon do not waltz, Miss Churchill ~