Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1877-08-30

the IermaD, ana soon group OF
young people were threading its
| mazes.
Clifford Marsden had arrived In
the last steamer, and had taken his
friends by surprise by appearing
among them. He excused himself
from dancing, on the plea of fatigue,
and stood watching the changing
scenes.
He had taken his station by the
| alcove in a position where through
the leaves Of blossorning azalia,
he could sec the musician, seated
at the piano, with her back towards
the guests. The slight, graceful
figure, the proud poise of her head
upon the small, round neck, the
abundant hair wound simply about
her head, all formed an attractive
picture.
For some time he had watched
her white fingers fly over the keys,
but before he had caught a glimpse
of her face he was surrounded by a
merry circle of girls, who com
menccd to rally him upon his ab-
straction. So he did not discover
that Theo. was the young musician
who had so strangely interested
him.
Later in the evening, group of
young people were assembled III the
dressing room to put on their wraps,
They were chatting about the
evening.
"Is not Clifford Marsden imo
proved % said Sue Drnsmore. "He
always was nice, but now he is per-
fectly splendid !"
II give you fair warning, sManie
Livingstone | shall contest the
supremacy with you next time
You had the monopoly of him this
evening. 'All's fair in love you
know"
Mamie tossed her pretty head,
and said disdainfully:
"Yon are welcome to him. Such
an absent minded escort never fell
to my lot before.''
"Where were you at supper
time? [ missed you from the dining
room," asked Allie Durant.
"Mr. Marsden brought me an
ice, and we made believe that
giant acacia was "a rural bower;
even that did not make him thaw
though | did my best to captivitc
him"
Il wonder if he knew who pre-
sided at the piano. Did he glance
that way 70
'Ne, net he he stood like
statne gazing into futurity. It's a
shame that such a handsome spcci'
men Of the genus homo should be
SO stupid"
"He must have changed, then
Maybe he was disappointed at not
meeting Miss Lisle. Report says
he was hard hit in that direction
before he went to Europe"
sHard hit p said Allie Durant.
'Sue, I'm ashamed Of You! Of
whom do you take lessons %
Sue was Allies cousin, and took
the reproof good-naturedly. With
a deep courtesy to Allie, she an,
swered:
81 have learned that purely class
sical phrase from my respected
cousin, Mr. Minturn Durant. He
acquired it most probably i'll the
fastidious society of his club
At this moment Theo. appeared
at the door, aud her friends clustered
around her.
"You dear, brave .darlingl'
"You naughty little girl, to keep
yourself so completely out of sight. )"
care those tender fingers COM
pletely worn out 2" and other SINH
lar exclamations saluted the ears of
the few strangers present as they
witnessed the scene.
Theo. was white as Parian
marble, and a suppressed quivcr
about her sensitive lips told the
mental suffering. She had left her
position at the piano, thinking the
parlors deserted, but as she came
forth into the glow of light she
found herself face to face with him
whose whispered words had once
made her hearts sweetest music.
Instead of fastening to meet her,
he had stood like one in a dream.
Theo. understood the panse to mean
remuneration OF the past, and with
out glancing at him again, drew
her slight figure to its utmost
height, and with more Of the digni-
ty of her proudest days, swept by
him and disappeared up the broad
stairway. This was their last meet.
ing!
And it was for her sweet sake
that Clifford Marsden had thrown
off the fatigue of travel, thinking
that one pressure of her little hand
would bring him rest, even in the
midst of the fashioable throng.