The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1877-10-24

dow of Lady Mordaunt's palatial home
cheerily streamed broad banners Of ruddy
light over the snow, while within all was
gaiety and revelry.
Maude Campbell was there, queen of
grace and beauty, as usual, surrounded
by her admirers as a sovereign by her
courtiers.
Lucy Moriaunt, gentle and lovely,
had her time employed az hostess, while
Maude entertained a large portion of the
guests.
Lucy" an | Maude's voice came in n
confidential whisper to Miss Mordauut,
"let's run to the library to rest moment
or SO ; that last dance has fatigued me
wonderfully"
Arm-in-arm the ladies passed into the
library.
With weary sigh, Maude threw her.
self into an armchair.
"Oh, Lucy, I am so tired-not of
our party, but the people-almost of
life |"
Her face was grieved and bitter in its
expression.
"What ! not the envied Miss Camp
bell talking in that strain, so melan-
cholic and forlorn ?" and Lucy leaned
her sun-bright head against Maude's
shoulder
"What nonsense And yet, Lucy,
dear, when see you, 80 full of hope,
and Joy, and animation, L think to my
self, she has all the things to live for, I
none"
She spoke very bitterly.
1" You none, beautiful Maude?"
Yes, I have cast away all that ever
did-ever will care for. Lucy, you little
think that I rejected Justin st. John
last October ?"
"No, Maude p
"I did. repeat it. 1 loved him |!
Oh, Father in heaven, how I loved him |
But, Lucy, Imust marry rich mani
must barter all hold dear for the love
of ease that governs me with a power
that I cannot withstand Lucy, / hate
him l loathe him 1 despise him =,
But 1 am going to accept John Jameson
when he proffers me his hand, and all
because that hand offers me a fortune
He will die he must die and then
who knows what his rich young widow
can dc? ?"
There was fearful tension in her
voice-a bright glitter in her eyes that
frightened timid Lucy.
"Maude, you must not You ale
wicked to talk 80. II you have spurned
Mr.. st. John, it was your own fault. II
you marry Mr.. Jameson, you must learn
to respect-to love him /"
"Never the childish dotard [
Maude Campbell, to fall in love with
John Jameson! 1t is his fortune, Lucy!"
With the same steely ring in her
tones, she returned to the saloon.
Half an hour later Mr.. Jameson, with
all the gallantry OF n youth OF twenty,
begged her to grant him an interview
the next morning.
She allowed it, and the pleasure seek
ers retired to their homes.
Arrayed in her tasty morning robe,
Maude proceeded to the parlor to greet
her lover.
"It has come" she thought, as de
scending the stairs she caught glimpse
of his bowed form. as he chatted with
Lucy Mordaunt, who sat sketching by
the window.
AS Maude entered the door, Lucy
gracefully excused herself, and went
into the inner parlor.
"Miss Cambell-Miss Maude, if may
presume to say it," and Mr.. Jameson
made his most delightful salaam-"1
need hardly mention the object of my
call this morning. My intention was tc
offer You my heart, my hand, my name
and my fortune"
He paused, and, if Maude noticed the
dubiousness of his words, she only
bowed respectfully.
"But, Miss Maude, SO old dotard as
7, whom you loathe, hate, despise
would be very presumptuous to do it.
Therefore, Miss Maude, announce the
object of my call to be an errand o.
thanks-sincere, grateful thanks to you
that, when you discussed this subject SC
freely to Miss Mordaunt last evening in
the library, you spoke sufficiently loud
for me, in the next room, to get the
benefit of it. l rejoice, though my dream
is over"- here his voice trembled, ir
spite of himself-"I awoke before it was
too late"
He bowed adieu, and was gone ere
Maude in her speechless surprise ant
modification, was aware of his departure
With cry of pain and rage, she raj
to the window to see him descending tho
steps.
"My dream, too, is over. Fate seems
determined to deny me wealth, so II
make the best of it. can obtain love
though" And her love came quicker
as she thought of Justin st. John. "H'
loves me still, I know he does. Justin
darling, you shall be mine yeti /"
Her face beaming with delightful
hope, Maude stepped to the door of thu
adjoining parlor. Voices arrested her at
tention, and she stopped. The door wa
aial; she could listen; she could hear
she could see; she did see.
"Lucy, I know it had only been I
couple Of months since Maude rejected
my suit. But / have learned to b.