The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-03-28

ture ~ Ethel exclaimed.
Philip was gazing at her with look Of
deep admiration.
THAT is Bernico Vaugn. Is she not
beautiful? must 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 grour
Of admirers.
can old love of Phil's2" Ethel mur.
INJURED, and strange fear crept over hel
as she looked into Bernice's eyes and
dark, handsome face.
$50 this Is your lady love, Sir Philip
| am SO glad to have met you, and / am
sure shall love you dearly if you viii let
me-" Bernice said, taking a seat by EtheI's
side.
They formed striking contrast-these
two girls. Ethel, with her fairy like form
and delicate face, dressed in some ileecy
material and Bernice in her dark dress
that admirably set off her beauty. Ethel
was fascinated with her as every one was
when she exerted herself to be agreeable;
and tonight she was doing her best
Bernice watched her rival carefully, no
ticed how fondly her eyes rested on Philips
form and how eagerly she listened when he
spoke.
81 wonder If she has jealous tempera-
mcnt, or does she trust her love Implicitly
I'll soon see for myself for | must study
well, she mused.
Very adroitly Bernice managed to keep
Phil at her side, entertaining him with
her wit and beauty or she would ask him
to take stroll on the veanda as the
rooms were close and heated, And ho was
a willing captive, for somehow he was
bcwitchcd by her beauty tonight, and did
not notice the little, white-robed figure who
watched them so earnestly.
Bernice was leaning on Philips arm,
gazing at the jewelled vault overhead,
when the band commenced playing low,
delicious waltz, and fairy like forms fitted
past the windows.
"That music is irresistible! o, Phil,
won't you waltz with me2 We used to
waltz in old times, you know !" and Bcr.
nice looked into Philips face with a
tender look in her dark luminous eyes.
She waltzed supcrbly, and almost ere he
was aware, Phil was whirliug away in the
giddy dance with Bernicc leaning on his
shoulder, and her warm perfumed breath
close to his check. He had forgotten that
this dance was promised to Ethel, and was
just excusing himself from Bernice, when
she exclaimed:
"What a lovely rose bud you have IN
your coat DO give ii to me win you,
Phil?"
Ethel saw him give Bernice the flower
he had promised her, saw him fasten it in
her hair, and she was a little cool toward
Philip, and Bernice congratulated herself
on her evenings success.
Day after day passed, and still Bernice
held Phil captive. He did not love her,
and Ethel was as dear to him as ever ; but
there was fascination about her, name
less something he could not resist when he
was in her society. Struggle against il as
he might fate seemed to throw her contin-
ually in his path. She dazzled aud bewild-
cred him with her strangs words, sometimes
as bright and gay asa tropical bird, again
as sad and pensiye as a nun.
Ethel May resided with her uncle, only
short distance from The Elms, but spent
nearly every evening there, for Phil
desired to have her participate in the
amusements the guests had arranged,
tableaux, charades, or dancing, there was
always something to be enjoyed every
night.
About this time Mr.. Thurston, Ethel's
uncle, was taken very i'll, and Ethel was
constituted nurse so while the others were
flirting and coqueting to their hearts
content, she sat by the bedside Of the sick
man, pale and sad watcher. Philip
called us often as he could, but his guests
claimed him most Of the time, and Bernice
improved Ethel's absence to make herself
as charming as possible.
If Bernicc knew Phil intended to call
on Ethel, she would try her best to detain
him challenge him to a game Of chess, or
by some other trivial excuse strive to keep
him at her side. But she did not always
succeed, and when Philip was with Ethel
he reproached himself for not being more
attentive and calling oftener. He still
loved her truly and tendcrly at heart, but
Bernice was doing her best to lure him
away, aud such brilliant beauty was hard
to resist. Yet he never dreamed Of loving
her, but being continually at her side,
seeing her every day aud hour in her
radiant beauty, he could not help admiring
her.
Mr.. Thurston had nearly recovered, and
Ethel, for tho first time since his illness,
was spending the evening at The Elms.
The guests hadjust arranged an impromptu
concert several opera airs had been sung,
and number Of difficult instrumental
pieces had been executed. Phil turned
the music for Bernice to play brilliant
pie,e that just suited her Then Ethel
was invited to sing
"Shall l turn your mujc, Ethcl? p
asked Phil.
aNo, I'll sing something from memory
She looked ns fragile Ms lily in her