The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-09-26
THE STORY-TELLER.
THWARTED.
BY BESSIE MURRAY.

Philip Earle's house was filled with
guests gay, pleasure seeking throng
that had come at his invitation to spend
the summer months at his beautiful
residence, The Elms. For years the
house had been closed while Phil was
abroad, but he had returned to his native
land once more, and q large party of old
friends had been invited to visit him.
Bernice Vaugn was celebrating be
tween Newport and Saratoga when she
received Philip Earle's invitation. Not
moment did she hesitate, but packed
her most delicate silks, laces, jewels, fans,
and all the ct ceterdS that form q New
York bellies toilet, with fixed deter
mination to captivate PhiPs heart with
\ her dazzling beauty. She had known
him years before, in fact, there had been
quite little love affair between them !;
fbut Bernice's firtations had ended it.
Bernice Vaugn was brilliant brun-
cite; one of those Aashy, tickle creatures
that ensnare so many noble hearts by
their wit and beauty, only to thrust them
away when new victim presents him
self. But now she was tired of tiirtations,
and she decided to marry Philip Earle
for his riches, never doubling her ability
to captivate him, for she rarely met with
failures; and this prize she thought
worth trying for. Imagine her surprise
and vexation when she learned from
Phips own lips, the night of her arrival,
that he was betrothed to Ethel May.
"You will love her, Bernice, when
you know her." he said, "for she is too
pure and good, alas, for me. Still, we
appreciate the good things God gives
us if we are unworthy"
While Bernice, hating the girl she had
never seen, congratulated him, and told
him how anxious she was to see the
lady who had won his cynical heart.
1t was lovely June morning. Ber-
nice Vaugn pleaded indisposition, and
excused herself from appearing at break
fast. In fact, she was cross, and very
we'll knew she should say something
ugly to some one if she appeared and
this, of all times, would not do. In the
garden below the flowers were wet with
dew; the blush rose and pink
damask were loaded with glittering
Jewels, and on the pansy's velvety cheek
lay shining drops that looked like tears.
Bernice sat en- dishabille at her window,
unmindful of the sweet, subtle fragrance
thC DlcSZC "dllSO up W hClb VI luC lCo-
breasted robins silvery notes as he car
oiled his morning praises in an elm op-
posite. She was watching the party of
croquet players on the lawn. The ladies
looked pretty in their light morning
dresses and sun-hats, and their merry
laughter rang out clear and glad on the
morning air.
Bernice watched with critical eye
Ethel Mays every movement, and she
could not but admit that she was the
embodiment of grace, and powerful
rival and she also noted how Phil fol-
lowed her everywhere she moved, with
proud, fond gaze.
Ethel was very lovely. She was rather
petite, with a transparent complexion
of pink and white, large deep-blue eyes,
and wealth of soft, golden hair.
"Philip Earle, you shall never marry
her" Bernice exclaimed aloud, bringing
her jewelled hand down on the window
seat. "This baby-faced girl shall not
thwart me. will make myself more
beautiful than she can be. l will exer-
else all my power over him, and if fail
can surely win him by strategy"
That night there was hop in the
parlor, comprising the guests ofthe house,
and few outside friends. Ethel and
Philip were enjoying little tete-a-tete
in one corner when Bernice entered,
looking perfectly dazzling in her dark
beauty. She wore long, black dress
of some thin material, through which
her white shoulders and arms CLEANED
like marble; bracelets of heavy gold, in
the form of a serpent with jewelled eyes,
coiled around her wrists, and diamonds
glittered in her ears and shown among
the braids of her purple black hair.
90 Phil, who is that magnificent
creature I" Ethel exclaimed.
Philip was gazing at her with look
of deep admiration.
"That is Bernice Vaugn. Is she not
beautiful? Imust introduce you, dear
she used to be an old love of mine" said
Philip, as he went in search of Bernice,
for she was already surrounded by
group of admirers.
can old love of PhipsY" Ethel muir
INJURED, and a strange fear crept over
her as she looked into Bernices eyes and
dark, handsome face.
so this is your lady love, Sir Philip Z?
am so glad to have met you, and am
sure shall love you dearly if you will
let me-" Berniee said, taking seat by
Ethel's side.
They formed striking contrast
these two girls. Ethel, with her fairy
like form and delicate face, dressed in
some feecy material and Berniee in
her dark dress, that admirably set off her
Southern beauty. Ethel was fascinated
with her as every one was when she
sxerted herself to be agreeable and to-