The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1878-07-24

i, DFoauWay' anu stoPpeo ~ lehStA
before theatre.
A handsome gentleman. tall and
; dark, sprang out of the sleigh and
gallantly assisted the richly-dressed
: lady, who followed him.
20. Audley.' cried she, as she
daintily uplifted her velvet skirts
with one tiny hand delicately GLOW.
eG, ''what exquisite fowers!''
They moved toward a shadowy
niche where woman stood holding
forth basket laden with lilies OF
the valley. tabe-roses. and carna'
tions like drops of blood.
The flower woman was enyeloped
in huge cloak and hood, and at
her feet was another and larger
basket that held some dark object
that made known its character by
the utterance of a baby.cry.
AS Mr.. Charlton and Aida ap-
preached. the shifting light of the
lamps fell full and clear for an in
stant on the face of the fower-wo-
man, and disclosed. wan and worn.
and timid, the countenance of Miss
Billings.
o, come away" said Aida, quick
ly, clinging to the arm of her es-
cOrt. whom she drew rather rndely
backward; 81 do not care for the
flowers. They are beautiful, but [
really had rather not have them
AS she spoke she glanced up to
his face. That face was as white
and still as chiseled marble; his
teeth were set in a glittering line
upon his bearded lip. and in his
dark eyes was an indescribable ex-
preston Of wonder and pain, and
unmistakable yearning.
"I-I must-pardon mel must
speak with her." he said in strange,
hoarse whisper, as he almost dashed
from his arm AliGa's OBTAINING hand.
He turned, looked aoout him, and
then drew his hand across his eyes
as if to sweep away sudden blind
ness.
The flower woman and the child
were gone. and all the lovely fow-
ers lay scattered beneath the hurry
ing. Needless feet that crushed out
their fragrance in the mud of the
street.
For an instant Audley Charlton
stood like one dazed.
Ibid L dream, or did see," he
muttered, and then seeing Miss Lis
combe standing there alone, haugh-
ty and displeased, he returned to
her side.
Il am very forgetful and ungal-
lant," ne said. II beg you to par
don my rudeness. am heartily |
ashamed of MYSELF
But his smile was pitifully far
eical. and his steps were unsteady |
as if from wine. a@ f a @
But not once again did he alIude |
to his inexplicable behavior
The play that night was Hamlet,
and the great tragedy was being
played at its best. But only once
did Charlton seem to see or hear, I
when poor, crazed OphelIa dropped |
her flowers upon the waters that
were so soon to embosom her dead
form, he shuddered yisibly. Aida
marveled if he were thus reminded /
of the lilies-of-the.vailey that were
lying below In the soil of the street,
and of the flower woman who had so
mysteriously vanished.
The evening was inexpressibly
duh to her, but as they rode home,
she regained her spirits, and before
the afternoon of the next day had
nearly forgotten the incident.
Then Audley Charlton called.
He was shown into a handsome
room shut away frem the front par
lor by heavy curtains of rich velvet,
and filed with statuettes. and brie-
a-brac. and living bloom and sing.
ing hirdss eeqfs .ssf aI aoE
Here he waited for Aida, whose
failure to appear caused him more
curiosity than concern.
1t was part of Alida's code of
high-breeding to keep her callers
waiting. Perhaps she thought
little anxious anticipation would
make her fair presence more effec-
tive to charm, . ,
In this instance a careless SER r
want had failed to announce the Wis.
itor. iaf aaat aa1 ga sam - aead a
Aida was still in the morning
room with Mrs. Liscombe; /; and very
aud beautiful was she f
in pearls and pale blue velvet with
a single pink rose starring her
dusky gold braids. /,
Presently the sound Of the bell,
sharp and sonorous came to her.
"Audley," she observed. ~ -
''Has he asked the important
question yet. Lida?'' inquired her
mother. -...s s.ss..g - .es.ss.5f -
mo, mamma" confessed Aida;
= .l .t..z1. =, /