The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-06-20

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might as well stay, she can do you no
harm and then there is the sister--or
husbands sister, rather-shc is not
widow, and may be an attraction. At
least, you will come to the ball tonight ?"
Listeners never hear any good ofthem.
selves, muttorcd one of the ladies by the
window to her companion. "Did you ever
before hear yourself so coolly canvasscd
Sadie p
Before the other replied, the deep voice
OF the second man responded
| will goto-night, of course, for | have
some friends Of whom | wish to take leave.
But there can be no attraction for me in
either lady !, as you know, met my fate
years ago, and lost her.
" You were too pround, Phil; too wretch
edly proud"
"Well, well, it may be- At least,
shall never love again.
And you never knew what became of
her?"
80, yes-liko the rest of her kind, she
married wisely and well, | believe. The
mans name ! do not know; only know
Il lost her. Let us go in
They stepped from the piazza to the hail.
passed the halfopen door, hats off, both
cigars finished and thrown away by this
time, and disappeared
Sadie !"
Well, Laura T.
~ know the one called 'Phil"-O,
Sadie, if you would help me"
You know ! will"-then cnsued long
conversation-thc ladies were Mrs. and
Miss Evcrsman, aud it may be that the
pretty widow had planned already the
destruction of the cynical "Phil" At any
rate, that conversation was mighty in its
results
Such blaze of light such an array of
taultless toilets sheeny silks, floating tulle,
flowers, diamonds, in truth glittering
array! for was it not the ball of the sea.
son?
Introductions, llrtations, farcwells, who
would think that life had any serious bust
ness for that gay throng?
Mr.. Philip Lang had been presented in
due form to Mrs and Miss Eycrsman, and
true to his colors-or was it from some
other motive that he had attached himself
to the one named Miss-for he had started
when his eye rested on her, yes, and grown
pale even, though she was fair creature
TO look upon, plump, dimplcd, aud blue
eyed, with waves of yellow hair creeping
to her temples in rcbelious curls that one
knew at once were triumphs of nature, not
art. Her white dress was simply lovely,
her manner charmingly, sweetly sly such
u lovely, lovely foil she was for the widow,
tall, pale creature, in black grcnadiuc,
whom Mr.. Philip Lang thought, as he
glanced at her, widow indeed, if looks
were any indication. lie had asked Miss
Eycrsman 10 waltz, and she had answered
that she never waltzed, and had looked
down, with a smile that dimplcd her pretty
check He cssaycd TO speak; failed; again
looked at her again began suggesting
some other dance; but Miss Eyersman did
not dance at all Strange Why was
she there, then?' 30, only to please Sa-
die. Sadie likes Il gay crowd and lights
and music, and she had so few pleasures,
poor creaturc!' "Yes, she would prone
made she rather liked that, and ON Mr..
Langs arm she swept up and down the
room"
How did it happen how do such things
ever happen? for Mr. Lang and his com
paniOn were out on the piazza alone gazing
into the night, listening to the boom of
the sea murmuring bits of poetry.
"You look so like one whom knew
long ago, said Phil at last "Swcet Laura
Graham, could almost swear she stood
before me when | was presented to you
tonight"
" An old friend?' queried she
"One whom | loved long ago, he cried
"and for whose sake have never loved
since-perhaps never will'-hc finished !
in dreamily sad tone.
" She is dead then p
"No; but married. | was poor and she |
was rich. | never told my love
" 1t may be you wrongod her in that
" No danger he said bitterly. Il do
not dream that she ever thought of the
poorest and humblcst of her train
''Yet she might; at least, you should |
have given her a chance, Mr.. Lang
" Miss Evcrsman-"
{" Hold r she said in an agitated voice. /
" am Mrs. Evcrsman.
"You--you--l thought
" Frankly, Mr.. Lang, intended to de-
ccivc you, but | viii carry the deception
no farther. ] heard your bitter words
about widows this evening, and determin-
cd TO punish you before | saw your face in
the hall
Miss Eversman," he said haughtily,
this is unpardouablc-"
Wait--hear me out. can tell You
all in a few words. am Laura Graham,
and lest pride should separate us, will |
tell you that in those days | loved you,
even as you loved me. How could you
be SO cruel? p"
I" But | could not bear the imputation
of fortunc-hunting, | was so wretchedly /
poor, and you an hciress.
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