Daily Kennebec journal., 1876-02-04
nailu Nsnuebst gdutnal.
TIE TWO ROSES,
iooxt,,uIp FROM YEsrEHpAT. ]

ard. IL do not believe any man but Don
aid Lyon could manage such creature
wouldn't try to do it."
.What homesck already" he said
turning to Clare, who, having drawr
nearer TO the FIRE. was gazing into it will
great inrentness.
..Oh, no, indeed, Dick. was onl,
thinking-in fact, l am rather tired an(
think will retire"
Clare entered her room which had beer
made as luxurious as possible by Mrs
Doane and Constance, who, thinking thai
the fair Southerner would prefer warm
er color. had changed the furniture, car
pet and drapery from blue to bright Grim
son.
If Glare was fatigued, she seemed to
have no intention of going to bed, 1or al
ter taking down mass of glossy black
hair and braiding it in one large braid,
and putting on soft warm wrapper, she
seated herself before the open fire.
"Now, Glare Whaitely," she said, in a
low voice, Il want TO have talk with
you, before l give sleep to my eyelids this
night A good honest talk. too.
"First, then, you love Donald Lyon,
and have loved him ever since he visited
YOU four years ago. Next, Donald Lyon
does not love you, and never did. He
was the first man whom you did not sue
ceed in bringing to your feet when you
tried. Oh, we can afford to be honest.
very honest, very honest" she said, as she
felt the hot blood mantle cheek and brow
1T is desperate game you have to play
now, Clare Whaitley. Donald Lyon loves
Constance Ashley, but as l am living
breathing woman, he shall never wed hei
and failing there, perhaps yet may win
can afford to wait"
For an hour Clare Whaitley sat with
knitted brow and compressed lips. think
ing. Then she retired 10 rest and slept
as quietly as if she had never thought
of evil.
1t was two days before the grand party
at Vile Doane was to come of. Mrs.
Doane and Constance had driven to the
city to attend to some necessary prepara-
tions for the festal night. Clare had eX-
cused herself from accompanying them on
the plea of a severe headache. All the
morning Clare sat engrossed with her own
thoughts-not very pleasant ones, il one
could Judge from the looks of her face.
As she rose in answer to the summons OF
the lunch bell her eye fell on a number OF
letters which Watson had brought in on
his return from the village. Mechanical
", she turned them over TO see ii there
was one for her.
.One for Mrs. Doane, two for myself,
and what is this ?" she exclaimed. Con-
stance Ashley, written in Donald Lyons
square, decided hand"
She knew hts writing-she had never
seen any other like it. Hastily concealing
the letter between her own she took them
in her hand to the dining room.
II will ring tor you if you are needed"
she said to the table girl who at once left
the room.
As soon as she found herself alone. she
held the letter belonging to Constance
over the steaming coffee urn, thus soften
ing the seal; then with delicate paper
cutter opened it without tearing.
Ah. what do you read, treacherous
Clare Whaitley. that makes your cheeks
pale and your glistening teeth bite your
lips in rage. We will read also:
Miss Ashley Il have met many women
abroad and in my own county, but among
them all, have met none for whom | en-
tertalned for single moment other than
sentiments of esteem and friendship.
have met you, Constance Ashley. and
find myself powerfully influenced and
governed by sentiment which is not
alone esteem.
love you, Constance. l avow it. l
love you. How much love you, dare
not write. What have written may not
be pleasing to you, but if it is not dis
pleasing to you, will you do me the favor
10 wear a red rose in your hair on the
night of the party; if you are displeased
wear white one, that may be in no sus-
pense. You will not see me again until
that night. DONALD LYON.
Clare re-read the note, carefully folded
and returned it to the envelope, which
upon returning to the library, she sealed
agained. Leaving the letter with her own,
unopened on the table as she found them,
she went to her room, threw herself upon
the lounge, where she was busy thinking,
until she was interrupted by the entrance
of Constance on her return from from the
city.
why. you poor child" exclaimed Con-
stance, with voice full of sympathy, "did
your headache drive you to the lounge? |
am sorry, but perhaps the two letters |
have tor you here will make you better
she added. handing them to Clare. II
found them on the library table,"
Thank you DEAR said Clare, in lam
guild voice, as she took the letters in her
hand. ~ did not expect any letters at
all this week, and so did not look on the
table for them when l went to lunch. But
how tired you look, Constance. Do 60
and rest until tea is ready"
II am rather tired and / think will
take your advice"
When Constance had left the room.
cruel smile played about Clare's lips as
she said TO herself;
Eyes, 60 and read the note know you
have in your pocket; but whatever your
decision may be, mine is. that you Shall
wear white rose in your hair for Donald
Lyon two nights hence. My plans are
two well laid to be thwarted now, fan
cy."
When Constance reached her room she
drew the note from her pocket.
II wonder who this can be FROM she
said; 81 do not recognize the writing,
which is very peculiar"
After examining it closely again, she
opened it.
"Ah, Constance, we will not pry into
your secret just now. We will leave you