The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-11-09
Select Story.
AN ILLUSION.

,usly and his cousinLaura, in spite Other gem
srous behavior, had not every now and then
cooked laige.cyed disapproval, very likely it
would have come to nothing long before.
But of course those women, ard a host of
other female relations, were not going to be
wiser than he Lucian Lefebvre, captain of
the engineers and colonel by brevet, station
ed at the capital and guardian of the nations
citadel dancing duty, Belle called it.
"Introduced to that doll?" said Bell, when
he came up to them, at the secretary's, pro-
posing the introduction. Belle was the mar
ried sister Helen was unmarried, and a lit.
tie passee, but person of dignity. "Why,
does she talk ?"
"Quite a pretty piece of mechanism"
said his aunt Very well put together"
Lefebvre looked at them in amazement
and Indignation. "Really," said he, sit is
wonderful what women are made of "
mot this one" said Helen, deliberately
putting up her glass. ''She is false from the
crown of her head to the sole of her foot
How can you be so taken in? l don't know
what you are made of, Lucian, to think of
introducing such a creature to your sisters,
nor how she made her way here"
He was just turning on his heel in speech
less anger but remembering he had left the
side of the lady in dispute for the avowed
purpose of brin ing his sisters to her, he ex-
claimed "W hatever she is, some of you
must come with me and be presented to her
as am here for that purpose, and will not
have her insulted."
Indeed !" said Helen, looking over the
top of her fan into infinite space, but not
stirring.
IL will go, Lucian," said Laura, who
had not spoken. Come, Bell, help mt
out"
"Well, Laura, for little goose How
ever | will never desert companion in arms
Do you suppose she has observed our coun
Gil of war ?" as they moved off beside Luc
an, with his chin well in the air ''She is 1
| fine picture. A person should go on thu
stage that can make up as well as that
should like to see her in the privacy of he
midnight retirement. How old should yol
think? Forty 2"
"Forty p cried Lucian. 81 heard he
myself arranging for picnic on her twenty
third birthday"
How touching In the life to come. He
twenty.thrd ! She'll never see her forty
third again in this life
"Belle p
"Oh yes, Lucan if you choose to fore
unwecome acquaintance on your family, a
least they must enjoy freedom of opinio
concerning it. The very set the woman
with speaks for her good evening, genera
What a crush All because of this youn
Russian hero-a beauty, isn't he ? All, yo
too are making for the cynosure, | see; a
the world is being presented. 1t will neve
do not to follow the fashion"
And directly Lucian was presenting hi
sister, Mrs. GARNER, and his cousin, Mis-
Laura Nelson and Miss Nelson had be
haved exactly as Lucian wished and al
though he could never have said what wa
wanting in Mrs. Carriers behavior be kne'
that challenge of defiance was in her yer
air. and that her mere manner had told tn
other woman what she thought of her. Pei
haps Bell presumed that that was the way
manage him. He would shortly let ht
know.
Colonel Lefebvre came clattering dow
stairs next morning, his horse waiting at tn
door
"Whither bound, Lucian p cried Heller
from the library.
"To ride with Mrs De Berrian."
"Oh, your new widow" she said, gayl.
"Have you called yet? No2 How yer
accommodating in her to ride with yo
first p
: "She is not pnnctilious fool, ,'he mute
: ed drawing on his glove.
Certain pnnctilios," put in Aunt Susa
! "are only self respect"
9 "If you will go and call with me, Nell
c said Lucian, "Pve no doubt she will pos
pone the ride"
c ''Now, Lucan dear, you know hate N
c c to crafty you" said Helen. "But real
c the last thing Belle said was that it wou
c not do. She should not call, nor, could |,
6 for nothing else, for little Laura's sake, wi
G is too young and innocent to have anythi'
c to do"
e "Just as you please" he said, angrly al
c had slammed the door behind him. u
,c can imagine his surprise when, as he rein
II his horse up at the steps of the house whe
MrsDe Berrian was visiting, he saw
cousin Laura coming down with NJ
Vaughn, a leader of the fashions, with who
she sometimes went out for Laura WAS
heiress, and but little gain said in
wishes.
81 thought you would like to have m
Laura said, timidly looking up with
brown eyes, as he dismounted, She ne
did have any spirit.
at is just like you, Laura" he said
vently.
81 don't think you will admire hel
much by daylight" she said, again timid
and he had laughed and handed her into
carriage and disappeared before she kI
she had ventured to say SO much.
But a more judicious curtain had b
dropped within the drawing-room anc
Mrs. DeBerrian sat pensively leaning
head on her hand that bore cleaning :
phire, dark curl straying over the cont
of the white hand set in its lace ruff,
>. the damask shadow of great vase OF r.
on the table, taller than herself, fal
round her, Colonel Lefehvre thought tina
did admire Mrs. DeBerrain quite as m
by daylight although it occurred to
later thatBelle would have called it rose-l
or curtain-light instead. He was contir
in his admiration before he left her
was not sure but that by the time he
Mrs. DeBerrian again he should be reall
love with her. And his little cousin La
Well, thank Heaven, he could afford to
ry where he chose.