Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1878-11-14
change Partners.
Change partners -

"Chspge partners .taa, s4ul !.
We are dancinga quadrilIe, and i,
smiling, held out my hands TO John
Loring. who left Lillian 10 be gracefully
led TO my place by Rudolph. But the
smile died away upon my lips.
Why did Lillian grow so deadly pale,
and Rudolph lrown and compress bis
lipsi I made some blunder, for John
said. in his grave sedate way:,.6rss.l
"You have made a mistake, Debhy,
this Way s4ea.4..8 ;, s.,ds.4s.ii.tl +.
Then my hand was cIasped in Ru-
dolph's again, and WIS waited fog the
side couples % dance. But could not
help watching Lillian taIkiug so fast 10
John, her cheeks red sgain-too red
her eyes feverish, and her anipatioh
too marked Tor my sly little cousin
Rudolph was pale now too. and some
thing had disturbed his boyish bright
ness.
l. was glad when the dance was over.
and we wandered of to the conservat
nv. Nobody nlihded, Cor. Rudblph and
had been engaged for veAyears, and
this ball was one of the many given in
honor OF his homecoming. He had
gone TO California 10 seek bis fortune,
leaving me plodding away at music
teaching to support myself. Aunt Char
lotte, and Lillian. who was then only
fourteen years old.
We were poor enough in those days,
both Rudolph and his betrothed, and for
goar years there was but little variation
IN the monolony Of mony gained for
both. PiErn fortune gave her wheel q
sudden, most unexpected whirl in our
favor-RudolLh made successful spec
uIation that lifted him al once to wealth,
and my grandmother died and left me
an heiress. nr.s.s
Ii was little bewildeTing nj first 10
be mistress Of a handsome country seat,
a town house. carriages, jewels, and 9
large bank account, but bad not al
ways been poorsspd Isoon became &C.
customed 10 my splendor. 4s'lro I'll
III had kept myIdear little crippled
aunt and Lillian with me when every
weeks income had 70 be divided with
Peinfnl eeoaomYy it-was SCARCELY pro-
hsble that we REouid separate when
was able 20 give them luxuFies.A@ And
John Losing was sill my friend, as he
had been when mamma was living and
poor papa's affairs were found TO be 80
embarrassed after his death.
There was no mystery about my en-
gagement. and when Rudolph came
home we were ali making q summe;
soiourn nj Wide Glen, where my ,coun-
try seat was located. John was at the
hotel, but be came over often. and all
the neighbors were very sociahle. Sowe
had balls, picnics, eroquet parties, and
every sort OF lestivlty. to amuse Ru-
dolph, while my trosseau was being
made in New York. and wedding trip
discussed. fsis3s
This ball of Mrs. Maitland's was one
Of the last, for autumn leaves were fall
ing. ! had thought when ! was dress
ing for II. that the years Of poverty and
toll had not left their traces upon Ru-
dolph's face ~ they had on mine.
was always fsis and blonde, but looked
faded. washed out. and my blue dress
did moi become me.
Or was Il Lilian's face looking over
my shoulder that made me think 50 -
Lillian was fair, but her ripping hair
was q perfect bronze color, eyes brown,
= and son Is . fawn's, and her lips tinted
like rose petals. In her low, broad
brow. and sensitive lips, sou read gen
! iu~. for The child was an artist born,
with wondroua musical. gifts and rare
a~~~s.. Chma~-N- a. "A ~sxI olauIa~ fhm
perfection OF grace. and her dress OF
tleecy white, with green leaves in her
hair and on her breast. suited her charm
ingly. 1890, ,,rtgs
.gG Aud yet was only twenty-five, GER
tainly not old. Rudolph was Eve years
elder. and still, despite his brown beard
end manly carnages Rudolph was boy
ish 10 his -frankpess. his enjoyment Of
fun. his energy. and love Of aiele.ie
fIe had been heavily hardened. though
he had been rich. But I-ah mel
had nursed mother through two years
Of sickness, alier father tailed in busi-
ness, and died soon after. I had gone
10 Aunt Charlolle's when she fell down
stairs. and her busy usefulness ieli her
forever. l had remained with her. TAX
lng herpnpils With my own. and help
ing Lilac 10 get an education.
llwas hand 10 hand struggle With
poverty and heartache. varied by weeks
ii time Of nursing Aunt Charlotte
through weeks Of ag0nizihg suffering,
and il he'd let me aged beyond my
years. Many time ] would have dcs-