The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1878-07-26
THE GIFT OF THE GODS,
BY MARY PATTON HUDSON.

4, AutlTey Aiil's, pd'iIH''i' ~"
ticating in the vicinity Of lloIlindas,
the country seat of the Nallory's
a notoriously prond and wealthy
family. My sister, the widow Car
rev, was rejoicevl to have her anla-
BILE brother during the heated term,
and made things quite Il greeable
by her atteHtioa to said distinguish
ed party. Edna Vallory was our
clostest neighbor, and on very good
terms with my sister Marian. q
Miss Vallory was very pretty;
everybody said so, except other
psptty wompn who envied the ador-
alton she received. When L ac-
cepted Marian's invitation for the
summer, | had never beheid this
nondescript belle and beauty, but
had seen my bosom friend, Chal-
mers, rush to his doom, thatculml-
mated in her graceful 81 am sorry
indeed, but women have so few
prerogatives you know, else | had
told you long ago that | did not
love YOU; but YOU will be my friend
though. cannot lose you in this
way" And he, intoxicated by her
fasciuatiUns, added idiocy to his
folly. and said: ayes, will always
be happy to claim you as my friend"
But | was il man of parts. wealth
and position, and would be the last
4. /, -, han charms | EnnW
lust where to find the poison, and
would keep my senses under due
command. How coolly we can cal
culatr on our safety when "scenting
the battle affair."" But | was safe
| said to the ring of smoke that
ourled above my head as | lay on
the Turkish dlvan in the library
room. after Marian had said "Iake
care brother mine ;"you have never
seen "the queen of hearts," and un-
der this condition of things, "let
him who thinketh he stands, take
heed lest he fall" A most aston
ishing woman. They tell me she
is engaged to n well-known diplo.
mate, the greater need OF precau-
ton" had a slippered foot on
broidered ottoman, trying to read
the "Times" while in realty dream,
ING of Edna ValIory, when | heard
a silvery voice say to servant
mo, III Just wait here for Mrs.
Carrew, have but a moment TO
stav," and a marvellous vision IN
muslin garh with roses III her belt
was quite before me. l was com,
pleteiy staggered but she received
nv low salaam, as l srrang TO my
feet, with such a look OF rogulsh
depreciation. that laughed III spite
of myself. instinctiveiy glanced
at my negIige dress. l saw the
twinkle in the merry, brown eyes;
knew she had read me at glance
| was clearly taken at dlsauyant-
age-hair awry, one sleeve OF my
drcssing-gOwn rolled up as If l had
lust emerged from u puglistic en-
counter with my meerchaum, when
lay on the four, the ashes strewed
about in sorry plight. But she
was ''gotten up" in all the "po'np
and circumstance of conquest; L
could see that. | wheeled ii chair
to the window for her accommoda-
tion, and excused my absence17@l
mentally thanked my patron SAINT
without any apology tor the case
before us. Yes, she's all my IAN
CIV painted her" / said to the re-
Election of Audrey Aimes in the
lofty mirror, as l saw with satlslac-
tion that | had not been pirtlcu-
larly unpresentable: My negti0e
was handsome, and uy slippers IA
marvel of handiwork. Thanks to
vinett Vaughan, who had chosen ,
them as a Christmas gift the year
before. "Pretty !" L repeated, but
not the siren against whom L have
been SO carefully warned by Mari
an. But / did not know Just then
the dawning power that lay III
those soft brown eyes, aud the
corners of the ductile mouth.
Marian was invited TO tea, and as
was "onlS a man." aud a guest OF
Mrs. Carew's, she would extend the
to take me in, she laugh
ipgly said to my sister, aud L was |
rather pleased at her frankness, aud /
lack OF society chic, as considered
il. That garden tea WAS a phase
Of larry life; and yet, all the witch
cries of Elhand would be bnitc IN