Wilmington daily commercial., 1872-10-12
LOVE AT SARATOGA.



zas, and the streets were thronged with people
from all countries. Here knot Of Cubans
sympathised with their struggling country in an
eager conversation, while near them a dark
spaniard frowned upon the audacious rebels
who dared to throw of the yoke Of Spain
There an assiduous Frenohman placed his
heart in the politest manner in the world at the
feet OF some American belle.
The German pdterJdmilids smoked his pipe
peacefully, surrounded by his fair wife and
daughters, and groups of listless Italians listen
ed to the music and gazed dreamily upon the
busy scene And up and down in slow prom
enade passed the scions of American wealth. the
exquisites Of upper tendon, with fair ladies
hanging upon their arms.
The "GirI Of the Period" was everywhere rep
resented. The brilliant beauty of the North !;
the soft, dark lovliness Of the South the intel
lectual grace of the Western, and the stately
charms Of the Eastern maiden-all were there
that evening.
The first hop Of the season was given at Con-
Rress Hall. The dancing had not yet commence
ed, and the idle throng were amusing themselves
in various ways when murmur of admiration
ran along the crowd from the piazza, as Mabel
Vaughan, the acknowledged belle of Saratoga,
made her entree, accompanied by her aunt, Mrs.
Iaugbley. Well did she merit the attention she
received, for what picture OF lQyeliness could be
more perfect than this beautiful maiden? Ma
bel was blonde Of the purest type her luxuri-
ant golden hair fell in airy curls her large blue
eyes were humid with tenderness her face and
neck were white as the driven snow and upon
her cheeks rested pinkish tinge, color which
never deepened into crimson, but often resem-
bled the deep hue in the heart Of pink rose.
Upon this evening she wore dress of light
blue MORE with long train. Over this dress
OF white tulle was Topped up with blush roses.
A necklace of pearls encircled the snowy neck
and fell upon the corsage Of her dress, which
was cut low. Aside from her beauty, Mabel was
an heress, her parents being dead. She lived
with her aunt Mrs. Laughley, who accompanied
her. This lady was tall and stately proud of
her position as leader In fashionable society.
Many friends thronged around these ladies when
they appeared. and as they passed along the pi-
azza all eyes followed them with admiration.
LeaniDgiidly against column of the piazza
stood a pale, intellectual looking young man,
whore thoughts seemed far away from this gay
scene.
There was dreamy look in his dark eyes az
he gazed upon the passing crowd, look which
perceived not those who were around him, but
was bent upon some far-on vision. But when
Mabel Vaughan drew near, tho dreamy enthusi-
aAt awoke from the spell which cnthralled him.
summoned back to the world by this angel Of
loveiuesa. He cast anleager glance upon the
beautiful girl as she passed him. Never, save
in his dreams, had Ernest Lestrange beheld 30
fair face. And as her deep blue eye met his,
. sudden thrill shot through his heart, for there
was in their expression that irresistible some
thing which instantly attracts the heart, that
which awakens love at first sight.
And what is love worth that springs not into
existence the moment when two hearts predes-
tined for each other meetf And this was the
first time Ernest Lestrange had gazed upon the
face of Mabel Vaughan. She passed on uncon-
scious of the tbrobbing heart she left behind.
An hour later the dancing commenced and the
sweet music lent an additional charm to the
Summer night. Mabel mingled in the dance,
but Ernest still fingered where she had lett MIN,
That one intoxicating glance which she had
given him suficed. He was content TO remain
quiet and unseen without, now gazing into the
depths OF the silent sky, whose myriads Of stars
seemed 30 far away, and now catching glimpses
Of Mabels fairy figure as she tioated past the
window in the dance.
II her soft, blue eyes had sent thrill to his
heart, the pale, sad face Of Ernest Lestrange,
which she had but caught glimse of, left its
impress upon Mabel's Thoughts. Amid the
crowd OF admirers who pressed about her, she
still thought of the stranger, whose eyes had met
hers in an impassioned glance which she could
not forget. Was III the thought Of him -
the unrecognized impulse 10 see him again
which impelled Mabel, after dancing but twice.
to plead heat aud fatigue and to stroll out upon
the piazza-this time leaning upon John Or
bOrne's arm2 Mr.. John Osborne was Mrs. Lang
ley's especial pet-an inimitable New York eX-
quisite whom that lady designed for her future
nephew. For what lady would not like to possess
a millionaire even for a nephew And the ex-
qulslte John was the prospective heir OF immense
wealth And Mrs Langley had proper regard
for the millions. This projected match had en-
crossed not little OF that lady's mind. OF
John Osborne's affections she was quite sure,
for what Man in his senses could rerist aweet
Mabel Vaughan? But Of Mabel herself she was
not quite 30 sure. She began to think the girl
had no heart and no ambition at all, 30 utterly
indifferent she turned away from all who sought
her hand. There was the distinguished Hon,
who had laid aurels at her feet only to be laugh
ed at. There was Mr.. Phelps, who lived in a
magnificent brown stone palace upon the avenue,
who had implored her to accept his fortune and
no charms for Mabel But If she objected to
them, there was Schuyler Upton, who belonged
to one OF the oldest and most aristoctatic fami-
lies in the city, and who was dying all for love
of Mabel What could this spoiled beauty be
thinking Of to refuse offers like these2 Was she
waiting for prince to come and wooH
To be ksure the Hon. was little addicted ia
his wine, and Mr.. Phelps had not youth in his
favor, for he was widower with fifty winters
upon his head which owed its raven hue solely
to the barber-and surely his white teeth had
never evoked the aid of the famous soothing
syTup--for they were set upon gold, and pur'
chased with gold But II Mr.. Upton was too old
Schuyler Upton was but twenty-fOur, so hand
some, end 30 wealthy. But that youth, with hit
arrogant pride and, his insufferable coxcomb
~ was unbearable to Mabel. And So instea6
Of feeling honored by these offers, 30 desirable
in the eyes OF fashionable mammas, she laughed
at and refused them all with perfect sang ffoid
My dear" her aunt would say, you vii
surely die an old maid"
"And what il l do, auntie2 will still shine
can assure you. What il l should study pro
fession2"
Study a profession is the girl crazyl Pray
Miss, what profession would you choosef" aske
her aunt with ineffabe soorn.
why the law, replied Mabel; "were not VIC
man born to argue9 And what man has the pow
er to gainsay them2 | am sure II woman woul
but try their powers of eloquence at the bar
there is q new field of tIiumphs opened 70
them"
D 1t was 30 odd to hear Mabel talk of pleading
she whom 30 many plead before in vainl
As Mabel slowly promenAded the piazza wit
John Osborne, once, more she passed Ernes
Lestrange. Again his dark eyes met hers an
this time deep flush mantled to her cheeks
for she could not be insensible to his homage
She returned to the saloon and listene
with an absent air to John Osbornes fatterie
and empty nonsense. The stranger did not one
enter to mingle with the dancers, and when Ma
bel withdrew with her aunt; she asked herse
wether she had passed pleasant evening or mo-
1t had been kind of fever dream a drea
which haunted her pillow still when she ID
down to sleep.
CHAPTER II.
The next morning, very early, Ernest walkt
down to the Congress Spring. There he m
I'D - Tf,AfY RiFla nd haar