The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-08-29

and motions. The face was very beau
tiful, perfect oval, with regular fea
lures, and large, soft brown eyes, shaded
by long lashes, black as the raven hal
above the low, broad forehead. Blu
upon the fair face, in the graceful dreop
ing figure, was visible a deep, settled
melancholy very painful to witness il
one who could scarsely have stepped
out OF her teens. Her face was Away,
pale, and looked like marble contrasting
with her deep mourning dress. Hel
voice was always low, and had an ac
cent of sadness in every tone.
Monsieur Lecourt was deeply inter.
ested i'll my patent, and inclined tc
make some investment of his idle cap.
ltal In the enterprise, SO that we were
often together discussing business, and
1T soon became a matter of course tc
find Adela with her father in the Ii.
brary.
1t was evident that the bond uniting
the two was very close, and that the
father rarely moved unaccompanied by
his daughter. So it was that we became
trio often seen in the library, Adela
grrasping with clear intelligence all the
advantages in her fathers proposed
venture, and questioning and overcom.
ing all the objections. Yet, business
once over, Adela was also ready for gen.
eral conversation, proving in her every
word not only a refined, cultivated in
tellect, but familiarity with current
topics rarely met with in a lady, and
doubtless due in great measure to
her fathers constant companionship.
AS the months of my sojourn passed
on, 1 perceived little changes in regard
to Adela Lecourt, that seemed to promise
that the heavy cloud evidently resting
over her young life was rolling back
somewhat. She would smile oftener,
and L noted softening in her dress,
and an improvement in her manner.
Soft white lace replaced the heavy
black Grape ut her throat and wrists,
and she wore her hair in looser, fuller
fashion. The long white hands that
had rested in listless idleness upon her
lap now busted themselves with pretty
feminine work, embroidery, and soft
woolen trifies True, the work would
lie often neglected if we spoke of topics
that interested her, but then her ewes
would kindle with an enthusiasm thev
never showed in the early days of our
friendship.
1t was friendship true and sincere. I
knew l was welcome to daughter as well
as father, and for the time 1 asked no
more than the cordial greetings given
me SO freely. Sometimes we formed par
ties for horseback rides to the planta-
tions, and found Adela the centre of
loving friends; but liked best our long
home evenings, spent in the library,
drawing-room, or wide garden summer
house, as the whim of the moment die
tated. Calm, even, and uneventful, our
friendship knew no waverings, and SEEM
ed likely to endure through life.
-Four months passed rapidly my bust
ness fourished, and all was well with
Inc, when one evening, calling at Mon
sieur Lecourt's, found him alone in
the summer house. After some desultory
chat, the old gentleman said to me:
"To-morrow 1 hope to introduce to
you my nephew, Theodore Lecourt. He
arrives from Paris tonight"
Indeed" said, trying to seem in
terested. "Does he make long visit
here 7"
has been nearly two years abroad, but
this is his home. He will be my heir,
rs he is the affianced husband of my
My heart seemed to turn to stone as
the old gentleman spoke. For the first
time realized what the past four
months had cost me. had given my
whole heart to Adela Lecourt, never
it till l heard she was beyond |
my reach. Affianced to another ! 1
could not speak, and whether Monsieur
Lecourt guessed or not the cause of my
silence, he smoked his fragrant Havana,
md said no more for long time, then |
started new topic for conversation.
The evening shadows deepened and |
enlightened, till the soft, dim twilight |
'ested on all things, and Adela came
lot to her accustomed place by her
'athers side. When, at late hour, |
,ook my leave reluctantly, she was still |
INVISIBLE.
The next morning, before I left my
Dom l was handed an invitation to an
at Monsieur Lecourt's, |
given in honor of his nephew's ar
ival. 1t would have been too marked |
! difference in our friendly relations
or me to decline, and hastily writing
N acceptance, I tried by unusual
4ttention to business to forget my
leartache. Another subject troubled |
ne. The party was not to occur for
wo days. Was 1 expected to absent
Myself in the interval, or to make my
vening calls as usual
All day my mind dwelt upon Adela.
Vas the deep, settled melancholy upon
er face the grief for the absence of her
,ance, and should l now see the lovely
ace lighted by hope and joy? 1 ground
ay teeth as thought of this, inwardly
/ had rather see it cold in
cath than radiant with love-light for
mother. Requiring some private papers
uring the day, 1 opened my desk, and
n one of the recesses, where it had long
ain forgotten, sparkled the ring had
ouna in New York, the serpent diamond
resent upon the deep blue shield. /
ook it up carelessly, admired it while,
nd slipped it upon my finger. The
apers 1 had come to seek, being inter
sting and important, was soon busted
With them, and closed the desk, forget
ing to return the ring to its place. AT
erward, thought:
"Well, it is mine, I suppose. Nobody
lse has ever asked for it, so might as
yell wear it,"
I could easily plead business as my
xcuse for absence from Monsieur Lee
ourt's for a day or two, and, dreading
o meet Adela now, resolved to do so.
t was some relief to my sore heart to