The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-04-02

qulNer or her I'D, not y ing III neI neart
of which she did not perceive that Mrs. DE
KAY was as fully conscious ~ herself. To
complete her discontinue, she observed M
last u triumphant smile pass over the old
lady's face, rs her eye novel gradually
away from her until IL rcstoh with look
" intelligence on the young stranger tue
sudden crimsonlng of whose cheek showed
her to he not without interest III the scene
that was traispi ing.
Mrs. DE Llnc,y's situation became intol-
erablC. AMI her annoyance wa' intensified
by perCclving that the glance exchanged
between the ladies was not lost on Mr.
EgPrtOn, VINO had ben SCUM ling all the
dowagers on the platform without sue
cess, and now Immediately made his wav
to Mrs. DE Kay, confident that, although
no favorite with her, he should soon ex-
tract from her solution OF the mystery.
To his surprise Mrs. De Kay received
him with gracious smile, and remarked,
= l can readily divine TO whom am in
deDted Tor the unusual honor of Mr..
Egerton's company"
"Can you tell me, Mrs. De Kay, the
name or that young lady IN the bow win
dow:" inquired Egerton, delighted with
the frank manner IN which the old lady
had h 'rself introduced tbs subject. which
lie had expected to be obliged to approach
gradually and through variety OF cir
cumlocutions.
81 can" said Mrs. De Kay; !" but OF what
intet eat can II ba to "a fashionable man like
from the country, who never goes into so
cieiy, aud whom he may perhaps never
meet again"
1.-THE more reason for making the most
OF the present opportunity returned
Egerton, laughing. ~ would ak you 10
present me; but in any case, If you will
even crafty my curiosity by telling me
her name will do anything IN my power
TO crafty you In roturI."
"lour part must he performed first"
returned the old lady with a grim smile
Bring Mrs. DE Lancey TO me, Nj. Eyer
ton"
With these words she looked so pointed
ly nj Mrs. DE Lancey that the latter could
endure the suspense no longer, but rising
and crossing to Mrs. De Kay, remarked, Is
she took the seat beside her, " You are so
evidently talking about me, my dear Mrs.
De Kay, that you must allow me 10 hope
that your remarks are complimentary"
Mrs. DE Kay rose, and taking Mr. Eyer
tons arm, replied In her grandtst manner,
Excuse me FOR moment. Mr.. Egerton
was just requesting an introduction to my
adopted daughter, the lady IN the bow
window"
As she spoke she made her way through
the serried ranks OF dowagers mot one of
whom dared oppose hat awful social pow
err and addressing the young ST. ranger,
said III voice softened TO positive tenuer-
ness, Alice, Mr.. Egerton requests the
honor OF an Introduction for the next
dance"
A sudden Uusn ONcTrpTeuu the Cneek OF
the young lady as she looked up and shyly
returned Nj. EgertOn's bow.
." You have surpassed yourself Mrs. De
Kay" remaI ked Mrs. DE Lancey. with
ironical pOhteness, as the old lady resumed
her seat. ITO advance IA lady who for the
best part OF the evening has occupied,
however undeservedly,a position very ike
that of "A WalltiOwer, to be the partner of
the leader of the dancing set, was piece
of fnesse Of which | should have hardly
lnf . ax n Ian - "a | fftra
that the lady Is good dancer. fear that
Mr.. Egerton would never survive the IN r.
tlncation Of figuring N Delmoncos with
an unpractised dancer from The country"
Mrs. DE Kay receive q Ms. DE Lancey's
sarcastic compliments with a look OF un-
disguised compassion. and reJoiued with
emotion, Poor child!"
The tone OF sympathy and interest with
VIII ch these words were spoken for the
moment disarmed Mrs. De Lancey. she
was silent, and waited Tor the old lady 10
proceed.
My dear child" resumed Mrs. De
Kay, "while studying you during the
last half hour, aud observing your suffer
ings under the mask of gayety, | recalled
what | often underwent at your age, and
wished that | had then found IA friend
with my present experience to tell me
what / now know too well, and too late.
You are making 1rightful mistakes and
providing for yourself terrible future.
Continue, my child, TO make enemies In
every direction, ana to surround yourself
with fiatterers, and see what life Is in
store tor you by and by"
"Ah. madam" exclaimed Mrs. De Ian
cey, why Is IL that the world cannot for
give woman the crime OF being happy p
My dear" said MIS-. De Kay, cit Is the
choice between happiness aud pleasure. A
little bird has whispered to me that you
thought of marrying Herman Egert on.
You viii say hat II Is no affair of mine
nor is II. But FOR esee that when you are
married TO a husband OF his calibre-who
knows 10 higher impulses than pleas
ure. interest, and vanity, aud whose
experiences in the world have been
just sufficient to fr1tter away what
ever heart he had-with such hus-
band can see that the best to be hoped Is
that your career rs "A wife will continue
what IT Is at present.. Had you chosen
IL different mana man Of heart, earnest
ness, and character, who could give you
an affection 10 which you could respond.
and heart which you could appreciate
such n man as that, in short - docking
toward Colonel Nevlns), I" think wed
enough of your ma ure To believe that you
would lead IA different life"
Has Colonel Nevms retained you to
pead his cause with mey" inquired MIS-.
DE Laucey, nervously endeavOrng to
Laugh OF the impression made by the old
lady's words.
My dear" said Mrs. De Kay gravely,
Il know Colonel NeVlns only 10y reputa-
ton, aud have no personal motive IN
speaking To you of him. Besides, | have
no right To dictate your choice I'm mar
rage. Accept Mr. Eg' rton If you choose
aud lead. as you undoubtedly Will, the
life of "A marrlrd belle and cOquette. But,
my dear child, let me earnestly entreat
you, do not, for the idle pleasure of II
moment or the qualification of passing
vanity, destroy the peace of iainlties, or
come between husband and wife. You
little know, poor thing, the misery that
you have already occasioned. l nave come
here Tonight to tell you. Yes, | am here
expressly ON your account. You must
sun have some heart left. l remember
when you were ms tender-hearted aud ln-
nooent rs my poor Alice"
"Ahce!" exclaimed Mrs, De LanceY, in
stncuVely following the direction OF Mrs.
DE kny's eye. "Wlll you tell me who that
young lady is? sees tnat she is "A prOt6g6e
of yours, and | have m idea that she has
something to do with what you are saying
TO me-"
"She is the text of my sermon" replied
Mrs. DE Kay emphatcally. she Is my
adopted child, the daughter OF my dearest
friend, and the wife Oh my nephew, Alfred
Delano."
Mrs DE Lancey with difhculty repressed
an exclamation of surprise.
she Is youT latest victim" said Mrs.
De Kay solemnly. Alice Delano loved