Wilmington daily commercial., 1872-11-16
LILY AND DIAMOND.

ted. the carriage was brought round, and
Webster Coast, with flower in his coat, stood
iaunty holding the relns over his four fine
horses when Eleanor Rarne appeared with
handkerchief pressed to her forehead. "My
poor head !" she murmured; "a sudden at
nick of neuralgia, Mr. Coast. shall not be
able to go. But you can fll up the carriage
with Mrs Starts children, Il win be a real
treat to them, poor little things, and then
Kota can ride with you on the front seat
"This is odd" thought the bachelor
Playing right into the other ones hands !
What can size mean7 But I'll take her at
her word, though. Kota is blossom of a
Girl, aud as simple minded as a child, which Is
more than | can say of Eleanor Rarne."
In few moments Miss Weston appeared
freshly attired In muslin robes
so SORRY, dearest, but this tormenting
neuralgia has come on again." said Mrs.
Rarne, going through with her excuses.
"If you do not go | shall not go" replied
Kota, with a suspicious glance at her suffer-
ing friend.
7'Do not let my absence make any differ
ence, dear, replied Eleanor, quickly; "Mrs.
Starr and several of her children will be de-
lighted to accompany you.
II shall not go" repeated Dakota, deci-
dedly.
''lhere is something underneath this, ="
thought Mr. Coast ''it Is evident they are
both In dead earnest Well, I'm sorry, but
cannot help II /; and the millionaire smiled
with secret complacency over this contest,
which he fully believed was caused in some
way by rivalry for his favor. "COme, come
Miss. Kota," he said aloud, ''you forget your
lily"
'And the diamond-gage also," added
Eleanor
Il hope, Kota dear, you are not initiating
Mr.. Vinton's obstinacy."
This was enough. Miss Weston was
perched on the high seat In moment, the
back of the carriage was filled with littl'
Slarrs-a happy galaxy-and the four-in-hand
swept away down the avenue and turned into
the broad road leading toward the city.
In the mean time John Vnton was stretch
ed out on the turf at the Nook. He tried books;
he took out his nOte-case and began summing
up some legal IN tiers; he lighted cigar but
all in vain. His mind would wander off and
he mathematical himself for his folly '.Why
should care, after all 7" he thought "What
are di ,monds and lilies, four-in hand and
steam-yachts to me, poor drudging lawyer,
tied to an office eight hours Of every day
One thing Is certain, | will not make fool OF
myself. No one shall so much as suspect
the truth rather think can hold my own
the rest of the day and Shoreands won't see
me again this summer. Venus herself shall
not entrap me unless | so choose
A rustic, CLEAN, and Eleanor Rarne stood
before him. They have gone, she said,
sinking down on one of the rustic seats. 'Of
course they did not want me, and so have
come back to hear you read poem, MIR.
Ninton."
They have gone, did you say, Mrs
"Yes: they went together. suppose you
have long seen the truth as have, MIR Vim
nnar nogitiVplV Onplo we Ilth
to make her happy. Such luxurious little
puss But she will have 1t now CA glance.
The W rid looks very different to me, how
ever; wealth has no charm in my eyes.
have enough for my wants, and / ask no
more. Such a man as Mr.. Coast, estimable
as he is, could never win my heart" If a
women wishes to crush a man verbally, lei
her call him estimable } II look for heart,
a soul, akin to my own" "a sigh 81 have
wandered too long in the cold world not tC
know the value OF a true friend" concluded
Eleanor, turning her dark eyes, misty will
feeling, upon Vintons brown eyes looking VI
at her from his couch on the turf.
''Trying to ensalve me for pastime, i!
she2" thought John. "Wel, see no reason
why should not amuse myself for an houi
or two. This kind of splrring is about the
only amusement left open TO a poor mar
nowadays
Half an hour afterward his thought,
changed ''Can it be possible that Eleanor
Rarne has taken fancy for me2 But no,
Coast is the man. How well she acts
though !"
Another hour, and the young man, fairly
aroused, seized an instant to commune witt
himself. ''Eithei have lost my senses o.
Eleanor is losing hers At any rate, th
trifling has gone far enough. A little furthe
and some kind of an explanation must come
and then Ude giotis I" Then aloud: "My ci
gags are out Mrs. Rarne. Thank you for q
delightful conversation. When go back Il
my dingy Office shall often think of thi
afternoOn-often recall your figure seated
there, and the memory will brighten my dul
labor A man like me has little else beside,
memories, you know. Shall carry back th
hooks and your shawl ? No? Well, then
farewell shall see you this evening thu
John Vinton bowed himself away from th
enchantress, and Eleanor sat alone In th
Nook, with the bitter certainty Of failur
chilling he heart she had shot her last ar
row, and missed her mark.
We will not laugh at her. Some of tn
bitterest disappointments are those whic
come after the flush of youth is gone som
of the deepest loves are those which com
after the meridian of life-beauty's life
passed.
Married when scarcely more than chile
awidoN when still youthful, Eleanor Rarn
had lived on the surface of existence, winnin
general admiration, and amusing herself wit
The cream of society's pleasures for man
bright years. But her time had come, as
comes to all with any depth of feeling, an
John Vinton, poor lawyer, with nothing
MS layOr save his own sturdy personality
had invountarily become her Nemesis. "Ol
why, why am Ipowerless to win him p sh
thought, as she sat with her face buried in hi
hands. "IIe little knows how | could loV
him Oh, wretched woman that am, VIII
can do 2"
In the late twilight a four finland can
up the ShOrelands avenue. At the entrant
OF the hotel 1t paused, an astonished and su
KY millionaire handed down defiant al
Hl-tempered young lady, who forthwith pr
ceeded into the house, leaving the galaxy
Chamber out ds best they could
Heavens and earth !" thought Webst
Coast, as he sought secluded corner of Il
back piazza to smoke a soothing ciga
would anybody have imagined such tel
per Masps, gnats and mosquitoes, a
nothing to Dakota Weston What a ride
But | am well out of it-well out of ii" al
the perturbed old bachelor wiped his CLOWN
face, and sent in for a refreshing cOmpoun
served in a tumbler
A tine-looking man, with hearty healt
Webster Coast enjoyed life and enjoyed /
wealth with good-natured selfshness. VIII