The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1878-10-05
Change Partners.
& Change partners ,

s Change partners 8
We were dancing d quadrille, and ],
smiling, held out my hands to John
Loring, who left Lillian to 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 frown and compress his
ipsl j made some blunder, for John
said, in his grave, sedate way
z You have made mistake, Debby.
This way
Then my hand was clasped in Ru-
dolph's again, and we waited for the
side couples to dance. But I could not
help watching Lillian talking so fast to
John, her cheeks red again--too red
her eyes feverish, and her animation too
marked for my sly little cousin. Ru-
dolph was pale now, and something had
disturbed his boyish brightness
I was glad when the dance was over,
and we wandered off to the conserva-
tory. Nobody minded, for Rudolph and
/ had been engaged for five years, and
this ball was one of the many given in
honor of his home coming. He had
gone to California to seek fortune,
leaving me plodding away at music
teaching to support myself, Aunt Char
1otte and Lillian, who was then only
fourteen years old.
We were poor enough those days,
both Rudolph and his betrothed, and for
four years there was but little variation
in the monotony of money gained for
both. Then fortune gave her wheel a
sudden, most unexpected whirl in our
favor Rudolph made successful specu-
lation that lifted him at once to wealth,
and my grandmother died and left me
an heiress.
It was little bewildering at first to
be mistress of a handsome country see t,
a town house, carriages, jewels, and a
large bank account, but / had not al
ways been poor, and | soon became ac-
customed to my splendor.
If l had kept my dear little crippled
aunt and Lillian with me when every
weeks income had to be divided with
painful economy, it was scarcely prob
able we would separate when / was able
to give them luxuries. And John Lor
ing was still my friend, as he had been
when mamma was living and poor papa's
affairs were found to be so embarrassed
after his death.
There was mo mystery about my en-
gagement, and when Rudolph cam,
/home we were all making Summer
soiourn at Wylde Glen, where my country
seat was located. John was at the hotel
but he came over often, and all the
neighbors were very sociable. So we
had balls, picnics, croquet parties and
every sort Of festivity, to amuse Ru
dolph, while my trosseau WAS made In
New York, and wedding trip dis
cussed
This ball Of Mrs Maitland's was one
Of the last, for Autumn leaves were
falling / had thought when ] was
dressing for it that the years of poverty
and toll had not left their traces upon
Rudolph's face as they had ON mine. ]
was always fair and blonde, but I looked
faded, washed out, and my blue dress
did not become me.
Or was it Liliaf's face looking over
my shoulder that made me think SO.
Lillian was fair, but her ripping heir
was perfect bronze color, her eyes
brown and soft as fawn's, and her lips
tinted like rose petals. In her low,
broad brow, her sensitive lips, you read
genius, for the child was an artist born
with wondrous musical gifts and rare
poetical faneies. She was tall and slen-
der, the perfection of grace, and her
dress of feecy white, with green leaves
In her hair and on her breast, suited her
charmingly.
And yet was only twenty-fve-cer-
tainly not old Rudolph was FIVE years
older, and still, despite his brown beard
and manly carriage Rudolph was boyish
in his franiness, his enjoyment Of fun,
his energy and love of athletic sports.
He had been heavily burdened
though he had been rich. But I-ah
me | had nursed mother through two
years of helplessness, and father failed
In business and died soon after. / had
gone to Aunt Charlotte when she lei
down stairs, and her busy usefulness left
her forever. / had remained with her
taking her pupils with my own, anc
helping Lillian to get an education.
It was hand-to-hand struggle with
poverty and heartache, varied by weeks
at time of nursing Aunt Charlotte
through agonizing suffering, and it had
left me aged beyond my years. Many
a time I would have despaired but fol
John Loring, one of papas business
friends, and our adviser in all matters o.
difficulty.
But it was all over. was rich. Ru
dolph was at home, and as tenderly lov
ing as I could wish. Only-as We
walked to the conservatory, ] wished
Lillian had not grown SO pale when We
changed partners in the quadrille, and
Rudolph took her little white gloved
hands in his. He talked gently to me
as we stood by the plashing fountain
told me Of some purchases he had made
for our house, and commented pityinglyy
upon my weary eyes and cheeks.
All this dissipation is too much fol
YOU. Debby,n he said, and / hated my
old-fashioned name as he spoke it Lillian
was softer, more musical. Why was ]
named for my grandmother
ST will bring carriage tomorrow,
Rudolph said, g and take you to some
quiet place of rest for few hours. Only
you and me, Debby, remember
And ! was contented, again, until,