Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-12-20
MISCELLANEOUS.
From Peterscn's NIagaziBe.I
MAUDE'S CHRISTMAS-9IFT.
By MISS L. DUDLEY.

She raised her brown eyes slowly to his face,
and said,
II do not understand sou at all. Mr.. Gin.
ton but, perhaps, you will explain after this
waltz. l must go now Dir. Bennett is com
ing for me-"
Alaude Howe had appeared in society, for
the first time, that winter, and was under the
rhaperouage of her aunt, leader Of fashion.
IO>nIght Maude vas looking her best
She had "n white of -ome airy material, which
made one think of April clouds. She wore
no ornaments, except white rose-b buds, in her
hair aud at her throat. Her soft, brown hair
was dressed in the suverest Grecian style, a
style emihently becoming to her face. Her
head was exquisitely shaped her eyebrows
und ashes were perfect; aud her skin was
cienl - transparency, showing the delicate
trace, OF the veins beneath.
| afraid to tell how many men had
offered to exchange hearts with her that
winter; and yet, not one whom she had re-
fused could say, with certainty, that she had
tried to make him love her. She always
looked grIeved aud seemed to struggle to keep
back the tears as she said, Il did not dream
of such thing this | have respected sou
more than all the men l know, and thought
you only cared for me as a friend" Perhaps
Maude really was, unconsciou>ly to herself,
least bit of firt." Some girls are.
Mr.. Clinton was the last upon the list. lie
had begun to iiirt with her, as with numerous
others. Maude had been very cordial and in
formal, just enough so TO make him think her
charmingly fresh and uuSuphisticutcd the
next time he saw her she was n perfect ice-
berg and 50 he felt little puzzled aud slight
ly Disconnected. Of course, it was but a step
to decide shat she should like him. Maude
seemed unconscious at first. Then she re-
celved his attentions with provoking indiffer.
ence, or answered his ''soit Mornings" with
quiet sarcasm. He had known her now three
months, and occasionally he tancied that her
sarcasm was only assumed, and that she IOund
more pleasure III his society than she cared to
have him know.
Tonight he had determined to see if he had
any power whatever over her.
The waltz was at last ended BY the time
Clinton reached Miss Howe he found her
talking earnestly to her late partner. She
turned to him indifercutly. He said, gravely,
The next is my dauce, is it not, Miss
Maude 2"
Yes, believe so," she answered, consult
ing her tablets "these 7o lo"k like your HE
rogIyphics, though all men invariably write
alike when in ballroom"
antIy.
"Mss Howe" said Mr. Clinton, "supposo
we go to the music room instead Of dancing
this quadrilew
'.Just as you please" she answered coolly.
81 tequadrilies any how: they arc stupid"
The music-roOm was entirely vacant.-
Maude sat down to the piano and sang, "Down
the Burn, Davy Love-" She sang it as if she
meant every word of it. When she had fnS
ished, she glanced up at her partner, saucily,
and yet half shyly. 1t was such look as he
had never seen on the face of another woman.
He was just beginning TO realize how much
he cared for her varying expressions. Per-
hars, his eyes said this, for her lids dropped,
and she began playing chords mechanically.
There was a moment Of silence. Maude
looked up suddenly bIushed little when she
met his glance, and said. DO you remember
Jean lngelow's Sung of Margaret z One Of
my school mates set it TO music. think you
will like it," And she sang again sweet
minor melody, but with proud ring in her
voice. which only made the pa,hos greater.
Perhaps she knew Of what Clinton was
thinking as she sang the last verse. for she
kept her eyes upon the keys, though she felt
his glance, as if it had been mesmeric in its
power.
as she finished the interIude
''Matiers not in dcsserfs DID,
What was born. and waKcd. and ycarncd,
Year by year ITS tmeaniugs Told.
am cuue, its derps are armed
Come, but there il naught to say,
Married eyes with n,Ine have met,
Silence Oh! had my day,
Margaret. Margaret?"
Marde." he said. passonately. "therc never
was poem written with a refrain so full OF
tears and heart-break d. not send me from
you learn the bitter lesson. Maude, dearest,
L love you"
They heard voices at the door. Maude,
ever ready. struck the keys suddenly, and her
voice rang out mockingIy, in LoDgfelIow's
! song.
! ''She had two eyes, so soft and brewn-
| She gives side glance. and locks down
| beware. bevaTei
Trust her not! She is fooliug thce!''
| When she lad finished, she looked up, and
said cooly.
! That was done beautifully. Mr.. Clinton,
on your part; but you should have chosen u
time and place less liable to interruption"
! His face was almost set in its stern express
/ sion. but he said quietly enough, Il will see
/ you tomorrow evening before you have gone
/ out: you will not dare refuse me-"
| She rebelled against his tones. even while
she acknowledged a certain power in them (;
but she said defan:ly. y You may come. if you
choose. l am not afraid to finish what have
/ begun. All" as the door opened. There is
! Mr. Wyune come for me I: this is his dance, I
believe"