The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-03-08

tackled his homestead and burned it to
the ground. His mother, an invalid,
perished in the flames; his father,
dragged from the burning building in
an unconscious state, survived his wife
but few days. The only heir inherit
ed the estate encumbered with this life
long grief.
"You surely will net be SO heartless
as to leave your sisters to-day2" said
Mrs. Kingsland to Fidelia, when the i'm
port of Madame Ricard's note reached
her. "Your father, manlike, forgot all
that must be done to make your sisters
presentable tonight. For once in your
life you can be of use. The Paris ball
dresses, only this morning arrived, re
it," at' '''''HeS anu 'a'' 10 make them
Fidelia sighed in spirit, but, schooled
to self-sacrifce, uncomplainingly re-
mained. Conscientiously all day she
piled her needle'and exercised her taste.
Her arrogant step-sisters did not hest
tate to wreak upon her at once demands
for her service and contempt for her ser
vile state.
1t was evening when, hooded and
cloaked, she flew from the door. All
the way to the hotel she encountered
signs OF the coming event. The atmos-
phere was impregnated with sense of
expectancy. Groups Of gossips fingered
in the streets. The doors of the spacious
hall where the ball was to take place was
guarded by liveried men, and struggling
musicians sauntered across the avenue
aud disappeared in adjacent vaults.
The lovely juno night had its air
scented with the perfume of roses,
syringas, and honeysuckles. The sky
was flushed with the rosy lights of sun
set. Fidelia forgot her sorrows. and
began to affiliate herself with the Joyous
spirit that inspired the scene. By the
time she had reached the hotel she was
kindled by sympathetic excitement into
the blooming beauty that only the mn.
lignant depression of her unhappy CON
dition had kept paled
Madame Ricard, whose apartments
were the grand rooms of the "Two
Isles, " received her guest with the ut
most cordiality. A tete q tete dinner
was served in luxurious style, and FL
della, who felt herself in happiness, en-
joyed the feast, from bouilli to ice. and
entered freely into the chatting mood of
her hostess. They spoke at dessert of
the hero of the night.
He is a friend of mine" Madame
Ricard said
",How happy you must be to possess
such friend!" exclaimed F della, with
sparkling eyes. "He is hero-a real
hero of the time in which we live.
Could there be an act more courageo IS
than his part in the victory of October
So All, how I should love to look upon
his brave face! But I forget. am
vassal by fate's special design. Why
should dream of heroes2"
$50 on, my dear, with your dream
ing, "said Madame Ricard, with friend
ly little nod. "That is precisely the
use of an occasional slavery, 10 make
one dream of noble things. You are
quite free ut this moment, however
Would You like to 60 with me tonight
to the ball?"
1t was we'll for the hospitable impulse
OF the little lady that this astounding
was not made until after they
had dined. Fidelia turned pale with
ecstasy at the very thought To 20 to
the ball To see with her own ewes the |
scene To have veritable
glimpse Of the hero's brave face! She
answered after a moment of profound
silence and with feminine reservation
that yelled the intensity of her assent
81 should like to 60. if had a white -
"There is nothing so easily obtained"
said Madame Ricard, "as white bodice
and skirt. She bade her maid hasten
to the office of the hotel and order mn
stairs trunk marked with blue
rosette.
Out of this trunk came white gauze
skirts, which were made to envelop the
young girl in layers of grace, until the |
effect of white was dense, vet ethereal,
like lily. A bodice was found that
conformed easily to the plant form.
Blue ribbons, the tint of forget-me nots
embellished the draperies; the coiffure,
with the exception of plain blue fillet, |
was left in its natural "falling grace"
Simple and conanae IL. .faut, and al |
together as I wish," said Madame Ri |
card, when the toilet was complete.
They arrived late at the ball, but not |
irritated by haste; and Madame Ricard |
was gratified to find the excitement of |
pleasure at its height. Fidelia was pre-
sented to the hero of the night, and at
his own request. He engaged her hand |
for the next dance.
Not the next waltz only, but the next |
and next, Fidelia found herself the part |
ner of Colonel Darrell. He took her to |
supper, and she became the object of |
interest to all eyes. The gossips made
her the heroine of the night. But of
these lesser honors Fidelia was quite un-
conscious. She reveled in the thought |
that she had seen again and again-and
with an expression in hiseyes of so much |
kindness to herself-the heros brave |
face.
After supper he left her q while, but |
returned to beg brief promenade upon
the balcony, which had been decorated |
to be one of the attractions of the night. |
Madame Ricard gave consent. And it |
was there, under the green archway of
palms and hot-house plants that i'm