The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1876-06-17

COinpldlutu vi lhtlRue, huu hShbu hC
to order the coachman to stop at the
Maison Doree-a ladies' restaurant, one
OF the most elegantly finished in city
famous for its almost princely establish
ments of the kind. We entered and
asked to be shown private apartment
where we might have rest and refresh
ment. 1t was q small, luxurious room
the walls were hung with curtains Of
amber .colored satin, and the Turkish
carpet betrayed no foot fall. A curtain
partly looped back with gold cord divi-
ded the apartment.
have said 1t was q ladies' restau-
rant, but gentlemen sometimes entered
1t, generally accompanied by their fair
friends. AS we sat waiting for the re-
freshments we had ordered, some one
entered from the hall outside. My
aunt's sofa was too far back for her to
notice the entrance of the stranger, but
see him very plainly. He was man
of perhaps forty years, of a somewhat
military bearing. A noble form and
handsome, English features a mouth
sweet in expression as woman's.
Did these casual meetings ever strike
you as having given birth to the poets
ideal of " Coming events casting their
shadows before ?" In that brief space
of five minutes l had written on the
page Of fancy romance for the strang
er who sat so unconscious Of such an
unpardoned liberty.
Ihere." l mnsed, sits Aunt Ethel,
with the shadows of human suffering
enveloping her tair face and figure, and
there sits my unknown hero, musing as
he ruthlessly gnawed at the corners of
his mustaohe-that unmistakable sign
of man In trouble. How delightful it
would be to find in him the ideal of
Aunt Ethel She was so very lonely
with the violets of even thirty spring
times breathing around her."
While / was engaged in my Castle
Espagua the waiter entered, to whom
the gentleman addressed a remark,
though in so low tone that ] did not
hear the words. happened to glance
at Aunt Ethel, and was alarmed at the
gray pallor that had settled on her
face. fastened TO her side and asked
what made her i'll. " Lolo," she
moaned, take me away IL was his
voice" My castle loomed up an edi-
fee of fair proportions here was the
mystery revealed, and looked again
into the inner apartment, but the
stranger had left it. With o prayer I'm
my heart that, in some way connected
with him, the roses would again bloom
on my aunt's pale cheek, l followed
her out into the carriage.
The st. Charles was filled with guests
that winter, but devoted my time al
most exclusively to the dear invalid.
who so unselfishly insisted that should
not seclude myself entirely from the
pleasures so alluring to youth. Some
times after arranging her pillows and
adding a few touches that go so far to-
ward the comfort of an invalid, would
leave her, to wander down into the
parlors. The piazza opposite the Aca-
denny OF Music was my fatorite resort.
Here, while southern moon lit up
with silvery radiance the groups of gay
ly dressed promenaders, a band played
choice arias from operas, filling the at
mosphere with passionate harmony.
One evening was walking slowly up
and down, alone among so many. The
notes of Lucia di Lammermors"
fioated dreamily through the charmed
air and found an echo in my heart.
Why, where all was SO lovely outward
ly, should secret woes fill so many
hearts? An, unused, would my fate be
different ? They who learn in sorrow
what they teach in song" had felt the
thorns ranking in the laurel wealth.
In pause of my walk noticed near
me at the Maison Doree. AS the moon.
light fell on the spot where he sat, /
could see the unmistakable marks of
care on his expressive features-a look
OF settled ennui and lack of interest for
the scene so fascinating to all around
him, told of heart that had lost all
enjoyment In life's pleasures. What
had he to do with Aunt Ethel's trouble?
Surely, thought, these two people
have loved aud lost"-can it be each
other !?
That night, while undressing. i missed
from my chatelaine a small locket con-
tanning the portrait of my Aunt Ethel
taken in her youth. had priced it
highly, and regretted its loss very deep
ly but ! tried to find comfort in the
hope that on the morrow some one
would find it and bring 1t to me.
The next evening found me again in
my usual resort, and the bright, joyous
groups seemed as full of life and happi-
Dess and D'Alert's music filled the
air with its old harmony. As l stood
my own strange fancies, a
hand was laid on my arm, and, looking
up with start, met the gaze of my
unknown friend (for such l had begun
to regard him). He seemed slightly
agitated, and begging pardon for his
familiarity, asked leave to Join me for
q few moments. Wondering at this
strange conduct, bowed an assent.
After we had wandered short dist
ance from the others he drew from his
vest pocket, and laid in my hand q
small package that proved to be my
lost mi mature. 81 found this last eve
ming after you had left the piazza, ly,
Ing where l saw you standing. Tell
me, he said 10 voice Of deep emotion,
chow came you 10 possession OF 1t ?"
! confess was startled out OF the
lease Of manner" so highly recon-
mended by young lady's goverRess.
ut 10 my Aunt'sl" ] xeplied, ''and