The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-09-13

Lazy Waldegrave'S eyes turn with terri
fled glare upon the heaving sea and the
sparkling sky?
Chow sombre you are all becoming !'
she said. "Pray, Mr. Wayne, let us take
stroll to shake off the shadows"
l do not think the shadows were shaken
off, for in the middle of the night I heard
Lady Waldegrave's maid at the landlady's
door, adjoining mine, asking for an opiate,
as her ladyship could not sleep.
The last week of our stay arrived, the
chief event of which was a great ball at
tho House, for which extensive prep
arations had been made. Of course our
party were all to be present at the distin-
guished assembly. Just as we left the tea
table that evening, I saw Gerald Wayne
present an elegant boquet of white camel
liza buds to Lady Waldegrave, and caught
her low reply, "You shall have my answer
tonight"
My pride was considerably piqued at this.
For Allies sake and Gerald's own future
peace Of mind, had hoped to prevent any
declaration on his part. There could be
little doubt as to the nature of the qu es-
tion, and now Twas not so sure of the kind
of answer it would receive. So l had
thrown myself before the cannon's mouth
to little purpose. My own sensations were
difficult to analyze. felt angry, aggrieved,
scornful, and reckless, all at once, despising
myself, and singularly enough, feeling a
lofty contempt for their foolshness.
But all feelings were merged in an exul-
tant sort of pride, when our party entered
the fairy-like ballroom, and caught the
low murmur of admiration that greeted
the appearance of the ladies. Alice and
Bell, in their gossamer robes Of tullel and
lace, were charming, and the personal ap-
pearance of all the others advanced sever
al degrees nearer perfection by the becom-
ing toilet and brilliant lights. But Lady
Waldegrave-whatp pen shall describe her.
as a spontaneous burst of delight greeted
her appearance? The queenly form was
robed in glistening amber satin, softened
by flounces of aerial lace, and looped up by
what seemed flakes of sparkling light, SO
vivid were the rays of diamonds and sap
phires glittering here and there, around the
snowy arms and swan-like throat, and col
lecting in a tangled spray, like the flash of
summer fountain, amid the masses of
ebon hair. She complained Of chilliness,
and Gerald flew to the drawing-room for
her shawl. heard whispered comment
behind me, as the superb folds of the India
shawl were laid gently around the ivory
shoulders
GA real camel's hair. 1t must have cost
seven or eight hundred dollars; and those
jewels are genuine diamonds and sapphires
I should think she ought to be ladyship
indeed p So said gossip behind me to
her neighbor.
The words were like the stroke of magi-
clans wand, only instead of creating splen-
did visions, it dashed aside living, breath
ing embodiment Of grace and beauty, and
left-a whited wall-a foul, revolving,
sin.
"Camels hair shawl Diamond and
sapphire jewelry Ladyship'! Aha, Ger
aid Wayne and Lady Waldegrave, enjoy
the dance while yet you may p
And yet the discovery shocked and pain
ed me. Igazed upon the radiant vision.-
had almost loved that woman. Heavens,
what superb actress she was 1 did not
wish it to be my hand that should dash her
down to infamy and disgrace. Such face
--such an angels aspect gasped; and
so scheming, and traitorous, and wicked
within Now could comprehend the
nameless antipathy that had chilled my
warmest admiration. A hand on my shoul.
der startled me. / turned round to con-
front Richard Ellis's excited face. knew
what was coming before he spoke.
"How are you, c.. didn't know YOU