The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1876-10-19

windows.
at seems almost too good to be true,
Winfield, that you have run down from
the Hall, if only for a day or 80. You
have been making a perfect recluse of
yourself these last two or three years.
don't think London society has
caught glimpse of you in all that, has
it?"
II don't think it has, as you say, al
though Pm not positive but that it's loss
has been my gain. Garland-in conf
dence, old telIow-my fate has come to
meat home, too, among my books
come like an angel, and led me straight
into paradise"
"You never mean you have succumbed
at last Winfield, Ireally thought better
things of you, who knew the world SO
well. Why, women are the most"
You must not berate the sex to me,
TheobaId, for my own darling's sake
my afianced bride-whose name I can
not give you now, at her own request
that our engagement be kept private
short time yet. I'll tell you one thing,
however, TheObald-she is the fairest
vision man ever dreamed of; a beauti-
full, intelligent, fascinating girl, who
loves me just as well, I believe, as love
her-whelly, perfectly"
Winfield, God knows l hope you
will be happy-that you will find your
dream amply realized. I would be the
last man to shadow your rosy sky, but
experience-bitter, stinging experience
has taught me what it may never
teach you-that there is no such thing as
true, unselfsh love in woman; no such
thing as earnest, devoted affection. I
loved once, Winfield, as fair a piece of
! Gods handiwork as ever dazzled the
eyes of men, and when she, in the
same breath, refused to marry me be-
cause she could not live on my income
l tell you, Winfield, it crushed out all
the bright hopes and ambition of my
lite, and III never be the same man
again, although am pretty well over it,
as they say.
Winfeld's deep sympathetic pity was
visible in the silent grasp of the hand
he gave Garland.
81 have half notion to remain over
night for the ball as Mrs. SaybrOoks's :
she sent cards a week ago to the hall,
and I can hardly account for it, but I
am anxious as I have not been for
years for the gayety and excitement of
music and dancing and lights and flow
ers. A reaction, I dare say, after years
of seclusion. You'll go, Theobald, if I
do?"
eyes, I'll 60. There'u be lots OF
pretty girls on hand, and Mrs. Say
brook knows how to entertain to perfec-
ton"
The Ernests-and Madge Of course,
then Winfield knows now why he had
been erger to go. NIadge-his peerless
one What a charming surprise it
would be to meet her, perhaps in the
conservatory, amid the tinkle of foun'
tains, where tie lights burned dimly
and the air was fragrant and warm!
His heart was exulting in the posses
sionship of the lovely girl, and he won
dered if Theobald would suspect if he
asked after her-his darling, whom he
had not seen for nearly a fortnight
since the midnight when he had kissec
her under the solemn stars.
Yes, I shall be glad to meet the
Dennisons and the Ernests-Miss Madgt
particularly. Do you see her often
She is a most beautiful grill"
eyes, semi-occasiorally. As you say
most beautiful young lady-bewilder
ing, fascinating and not all averse t.
using the power she knows she pos
sesses."
A hot flush warmed Winfeld's fai
cheeks. This of Madge-his Madge !
, al had no idea Miss Ernest enjoyed
) an uneriable reputation"
, "You see I was right when I sai'
YOU didn't know women as we'll as ]
You'll doubtless be able to judge 70
, yourself tonight at Mrs. saybrooks."
5 And the stiff reserve in Theobald Gar
lands tone did net come, as Ronald
winfield thought, from the fact of Re
1 NJ, o,lJress oF answer an instan