Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1878-12-27

u u.
If might
But his song got no further than that
it died away in thought.
Passing, arm-in-arm, down the crowd
ed dancing-room of the Spa the mex
evening, with his friend Norton, Rober
Edbury's quick ear was caught by ;
note which at once arrested his atten
ton. He had said that he should know
! that divine voice again, hear it wherevel
and whenever he might, and he was no.
mistaken. A certain remonstrance lay
in its tone; not to say misbelief
But who could it have been, Robert
lif it was not you? 1t frightens me tt
think of it. lit was somebody oi
your height and figure. 1t must have
been yourself, Robert
But | tell you if was not, jessie
should like very much to know who j,
was"
He was gentleman, | am sure :
with stress upon the word You need
not be put out, Robert.
| Robert Edbury turned and saw, close
beside him, leaning upon that Other
Roberts arm, young girl surprisingly
beautiful. Roses mingled with the
bright gold of her hair, shone in the bo-
som of her dress, and a bunch of them
was somehow intertertwined with the
slender gold wrist chain attached to her
fan.
Mr.. Edbury caught his breath, as
turning her face, the girls soft, violet
blue eyes rested for a moment unrecog-
nizingly on his
"Who is she?" he whispered eagerly
to his friend. ''How lovely she is
What is her name? By heaven! never
believed in divine loveliness before; but
here it is, pure and undefiled. What is
her name?"
1t is Miss Chassdane,'' was the an
swer. "She and her mother live at the
Grove, half a mile out Of town"
"a farm house" remarked Robert.
No, it is not. 1t looks not unlike
one. They are people of property. Yes,
she is very pretty. I'll introduce you
if you like"
Half an hour later Robert Edbury
was bending over the young lady hand
in the pretty secluded gloom of vine
wreathed window. They were as much
alone as it was possible for one to be in
the heart of a busy, unheeding crowd
The first notes of Strauss waltz were
beckoning the dancers, and gay couples
went laughing, hurrying by.
You are not engaged for this waltz?'
said Robert, eagerly.
Some remembered cadence of his
voice struck the young girls memory
and, forgetting to answer him, she look
ed at him doubtfully, while rosy blush
swept over her forehead. She half knew
him and half did not.
Will you let me look at your card?
he pursued, as, with perfect courtesy in
his voice and manner, he took the bit of
gilt and enameled pasteboard which she
had tucked away amid the roses at hel
wrist.
II half promised this dance to
Robert she stammered. hinging a quick
glance over her shoulder into the sway
ing crowd.
Then l shall claim it, answered the
other Robert. with an audacious smile
He stopped and picked up a rosebud
that had fallen, and then held it tri-
umphantly before the flushed and star
tied face by his side.
"See!" he said, gayly; II have saved
it from being crushed under foot VIII
you not give it to me?'
But she reached out her hand impul-
sively. II never give roses to stran-
gers, she replied, with cold, frighten-
ed, angry air. They are Mr.. Robert
Stonor's roses Give it back to me, if
you please"
My name is Robert, too" he said, in
the same gayly tender voice, though his
dark face changed little at her frank
confession. MY name is Robert, too
Miss Chassdane Therefore, may not
claim the rose?'
The soft blue eyes, filled with tears
flew up and met his. She knew him
then Frightened and ashamed, and
trembling from head to foot, she rose
impulsively to her feet He took a ster
backward, and they stood so, facing
each other a moment in the gay, unheed-
ing crowd.
Il know you now,' gasped Jessie.
How dare you speak to me again-you
are very presuming, sir | will not bear
it. Give me back my flower and leave
me-
Nay" he said gently, but in the tone
of a master, is there cause for anger?
And in low, reasoning, persuasive
voice he spoke to her for some moments
and the rising spirit was calmed. In
spite of herself and against her will, she
was becoming irresistibly attracted to
this man.
Give me this one waltz, Miss Chass-
dane, and then | will give you back your
rose. 1t will be fair exchange But
mind what tell you, as sure as there is
heaven above us, the day is coming
when you will offer me rose unasked
Gomez
The old rose red flush drifted over the
young girls face; his words, and, more
than all, his manner impressed her as
he meant they should He stood, with
proffered arm, courteously still, beside
her, and, though protesting inwardly
with all her might that she would not
dance, she gave him her hand, and in an
other moment they were floating delir-
iously together to the strains of the Sc
ductive music.
When it was over, Robert led her to
her seat near some friends; her mother
had not gone to the rooms that night
She looked very pale. The pretty rose
color had all died out Of the sweet
round cheeks.
Are you faint?' he asked anxiously
bending over her. Are you tired?
Shall | get you some water?
No, no." she cried, shrinking away
from him. Il am not faint-but look at
Mr.. Robert Stonor. l have offended
him. He is angry because | danced
with you. Oh, what shall do? He is
my cousin, and has i'll health, and he
must not be excited.
Robert Edbury turned and saw stand
ing near him that other Robert, who
threatened to be-or perhaps was-no
mean rival. His i'll health was evident
One hand was pressed to his side as il
to still some pain there, and or his
handsome blonde face, which was mark
ed by unmistakable traces of confirmed
sickness, cloud Of jealous anger rested
heavily.
The eyes of the two men met. and
each knew the other for rival.
A half smile of scorn as he looked
curled Robert Edbury's lips. In case
like this man has no pity for the all
ments of another With a grave face he
took from his pocket the rosebud and
laid it in Miss Chassdanes lap.
Here is your rose, he said, quietly
Il restore it to you at your wish. But