, 1871-04-27

70 AdOpI tueH rowing style OF lie. AT all
events, she has not been heard from since,
and is doubtless dead, or what comes next
married"
Mrs. st. Orme's brilliantly lighted rooms
were crowded with rank and beauty and
Aubrey Hendricks, besisged BY those vo
tarirs of fashions who, moth-like, Autter
around every wealth star, assailing him
with insidious batteries, found the even
ing dull as he had expected. At length,
making his escape, he sauntercd slowly
down the room, debating in his own
mind the feasibility of an early Withdraw
al from the scene, when his gaze rested
UPON a circle near him, and his list
lessness changed Immediately to an ex-
preston of profound interest. The CEN
ter Of attraction was a woman, the like of
whose beauty lie had not seen equalled in
all his travels. Tall, with symmetrical
figure, every turn of which was the EN-,
bodiment of grace; a perfect oval face,
with scarlet lips, aud large, melting eyes,
dusky as the lashes that shadowed them;
a complexion dark, but delicate and clear;
and wealth of ripping, purple. black
hair, fastened uniquely by massive gold
en- comb.
"Who is she?" he asked vaiuly of seve>
raj near him and at ledgth, seeking his
hostess, was favored with a, presentation
10 the object of his interest. II
my friend, Mr.. Hendricks, Miss Ru>
derstein.''
And Aubrey, bowling before Der, won-
dsred where he had seen the expression
that fingered an instant upon her face;
but when he looked again it was gone,
and the lady, even more beautiful than he
had at first thought her, was replying to
his remark with an ease that lent grace to
the commonplace formalities which al
ways attend a first meeting, He was
forced soon to give up his place by her
side to new applicants for share Of her
favor, but fingered near during the roS
mainder of the evening, and was amplyr re-
warded by seeing her gaze wander in his
direction more than once. It was his
pleasure to attend her to her carriage at
the close Of the evening, and, at parting
he asked and obtained permission to call
upon her on the following day.
After this be was frequent and favored
visitor at the Ruderstein mansion, and
day By day the shackles that bound him
willing captive were riveted closer still.
His love had in It none Of the blind idola-
try that had characterized his younger
years, but was fervent outgushing of
soul-a devotion that rendered him purer
and better for its existence. But through
all there was a intangible something
which, while 1t attracted him more firmly
to Miss Ruderstein, made him fear 10 ut
ter those words which would decide his
fate; presentiment that something must
intervene between and the happiness
which Knocked him In restless dreamlaud.
He thought of Rain somstimes. Poor
Rain with the hopelessnsss Of despair in
her great, wild eyes, and her earnest voice
protesting her innocence Of purposely de-
eeiving him. Then he wondered if It was
possible that she was living now to- comes
between him and his only hope of future
life that should in its pure devotion atone
for the reckless misdeeds Of his past life;
for, in looking over that record of late
years, Aubrey Hendricks could not hold
himself guiltless. The fever of unrest
held complete sway over him, except
when in the presence of Miss Rudesstein;
then he felt her peaceful influence, and
realized more than ever the worthlessness
of existence without her.
They were sitting ons day in the
drawing room. The appointments Of the
room were in unison with the refined
taste Of its owner. No glaring discrepan-
cies of coler, which are so often seen in
the babitations of wealth, were visible
here. 1t was not probable that stranger,
after leaving this room, would have de>
scrihed any of th details which combined
to make the whole SO perfect; he would
only remember that it had impressed him
as being fit casket for the glowing jewel
within,
A volume Of Tennyson was lying open
on the window sill, and Aubrey, glancing
over the pages, read:
81 hold it true whate'er befall;
feel It when sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at ali
With some light remark, ,he closed the
book; but catching The expression of her
face, so much in sympathy with the sentis
ment he had read, was thrilled with a
vague fear. differing from any that had
before assailed him, Certainly, her eyes
held in them for that moment the light of
bitter experience. Somehow, be had