The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-12-07


that lovely voice once again"
He was alone; there was no one 70 see
him; and taking the voilets out OF his
pocket he kissed them tenderly. 1t was
most absurdy silly OF him 10 do ii but
who Of rs does not do silly things in the
heyday OF our youths morning. Silly
thing we blush Tor afterwards, perhaps;
lust as Robert Edbury blushed when put
ting the violets again quickly away.
:.scsPtre and crown I'd aIng them down.
II might"
But his song got no further than that; it
died away in thought.
Passing arm.in-arm down the crowded
dancing room Of the Spa the next eve
ming, with his friend Norton, Robert Ed
bury Is quick ear was caught by note
which at once arrested his attention. He
had said that he should know that divine
voice again, hear It wherever or whenever
he might, and he was not mistaken. A
certain remonstrance lay in Its tone; not
10 say misbelief.
"But who could it have been, Robert, II
1t was not you? 1t frighteEs me TO think
Of it. lit was somebody of your heighth
and figure. 1t must have been yourself,
Robert"
"But I tell you 1t was not, Jessie. l
should like TO know who 1t was"
"He was gentleman,I am sure, with
stress upon the word. You need not be
put out, Robert"
"Robert Edbury turned and saw close
beside him, leaning on that other Roberts
arm, q young girl surprisingly beautiful.
Roses mingled with the bright gold OF her
hair, shone in the bosom OF her dress, and
a bunch OF them was somehow fntertwined
with the slender gold wristchain attached
to her fan.
Mr.. Edbury caught his breath, as, turn
ing her face, the girls soft violet blue eyes
rested for moment un.ecognizingly on
his.
"who is she?" he whispered eagerly to
his friend. GLOW lovely she is? What
is her name? By heaven! never be-
lieved in divine loveliness before; but here
it is, pure and undefled. What is her
name?n
"Itis Miss Chassdane," was the answer.
"She and her mother live at the Grove,
half a mile out OF town."
"a farmhouse remarked Robert.
"No; il is not. i looks not unlike one.
They are people OF property. Yes, she is
very pretty. III introduce you ii you
like"
Half an hour later Robert Edbury was
bending over the young lady 8 hand in the
pretty secluded gloom OF vine-wreathed
window. They were as much alone as It
is possible for one to be in the heart OF a
busy, unheeding crowd. The first notes
of Strauss waltz were reckoning 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, for
getting to answer him, she looked 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 enamel pasteboard which she had
tucked away amid the roses at her wrist.
al half promised this dance to Rob
ert," she stammered, hinHing quick
glance over her shoulder into the swaying
crowd.
"Then 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 triumphantly
before the flushed and startled face at bis
side.
"see!" he said gaily; ~ saved it from
being crushed under foot. Will you not
give II to me?"
But she reached out her hand impulsiye.
". "I-I never give roses to strangers"
she replied, with cold, frightened, angry
air. "They are Mr.. Robert Stonors roses.
Give it back to me, il you please"
"My name is Robert, too" he said, in
the same gayly tend0r voice, though his
dark face changed little at her frank con-
fession. "My name is Robert, too, Miss
Chassdane. Therefore, may ! not claim
the rose?"
The soft blue eyes, flled 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 stop backward, and
they stood so, facing each other moment
in the gay, unheeding crowd.
~ know you now" gasped Jessie.
''How dare you speak to me again-.you
are very presuming, sir. viii not bear
it. Give me back my flower and leave
me-"
NAY" he said gently, but in the tone
OF master, sis there cause for angerp"
And in low, reasoning, persuasive voice
he spoke to her for some moments, and
the rising spirit was Gained. In spite OF
herself and against her will she was be-
coming frresistibly attracted to this man.
"Give me this one waltz, Miss Chass.
dane, and then will give you back your
rose. It will be fair exchange. But
mind what tell you, as sure rs there Is a
heaven above us the day Is coming when
you will offer me rose unasked Come!
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 prof.
fered 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 another mo-
ment they were floating delie!ously to-
gether to the strains OF the seductive
music.
When It was over, Robert led her to her
seat near some friends; her mother had
gone to the rooms that night. She looked
very pale. The pretty rose color had all
died out OF her sweet round cheeks.
"Are YOU faint?" he asked anxiously,
bending over her. "Areyou tired? Shall
l get you some water?"
Emo, mol" she cried, shrinking away
from him. ~ am not taint-but look at
Mr.. Robert Stonor. have offended him;
he Is angry because danced with you.
Oh, what shall do? He is my cousin,
and has ill-health, and he must not be ex-
cited"
near him that other Robert who threaten
ed TO be-or perhaps ln1s-no mean rival.
His ill.health was evident. One hand was
pressed TO his side as il to still some pain
there, and on his handsome blonde face,
which was marked by unmistakable traces
OF confirmed sickness, cloud OF jealous
anger rested heavily.
The eyes Of the two men met, and each
knaV the nthar for n rival |...