Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1878-11-19

one entertains with the most prof Use
hospitality, guests are plenty. The
Maynards, the Stringhams, the Al
monts, and even the Governor himself.
were at Locust Lawns. There was
constant music, feasting and dan
cling.
Joy, being the young gentleman of
the family, was constantly deployed as
Agatha's escort and companion. AS
for little Sylvie, purposely dressed in
the juvenile costume of white, with
blue sash, nobody thought of her at
all.
She stood behind a pillar of the
verandah one evening, watching the
colored lights on the lawn, where the
company were waltzing, when pair
of lovers strolled by, not perceiving
her. e&~@ ls ei@S~4 -s a. p .
"What a superb creature Agatha
Mordaunt is, isn't she?" asked the lady
Of her companion. 81
Eyes. And that black-haired fellow
dancing attendance upon her is the
happy man, is he not?'' asked Dick
Maynard.
''Oh, that is her fathers ward, Joy
Eggleston. He will marry Agatha,
| dare say, if she perfers him. She
always does just as she pleases.'' -
And then the two passed along,
leaving Sylvie trembling in every
limb. -s+---
Fearing her thoughts, she started
from her solitude at last, and, descend
ing the steps of the lawn, her white
dress caught the eye of young man
speeding by. He turned back.
lis that you, Sylvie?7 asked Joy.
II thought it was spirit. Are you
having good time?"
Are you, Joy?' ivy
"Well, the music's splendid, but I'm
everybody's man. Your aunt wanted
me to oversee the tables, and promised
Tom Almont to take care of his sis
ter.'' af aa
''Flossy Almont? Dear Joy, it is
Agatha you have danced with all the
evening. 1t is as have said-you will
love her y -...5
She saw.his dark eyes widen on her
face. And he-he beheld a face. so
pure, SO sweet in it's purity, that he
leaned suddenly and kissed the cool
cheek.
''Dear little Sylvie, | shall never love
her. | shall never love any one but
you.'' 81.
He caught her bright involuntary
smile, and his own face grew brighter
and happier.
Don't look so forlorn, dear. You
make me sad. Come and dance; III
get you a partner. I see your aunt
beckOning to me.''
Signaling to Mrs. Maynard by wave
of his hand, he swept Sylvie into Jack
Stringham's arms and was off.
Yes, he was very popular-here,
there, everywhere, bright as a fairy
prince. No wonder the girls raved
about him; no wonder he was beauti-
full, blonde Agatha's choice.
There were charades the next even
ing, and Agatha in frosted silk and
snowy lace, was magnificent as bride
in the pretty representation of ''He-
Brides" And it seemed all by chance
that Joy Eggleston was the groom.
GA splendid couple!'' "a perfect
matchl'' the company whispered.
And Sylvie saw and heard.
"He promised me-he promised mel''
she whispered to her aching heart.
All, but promises pale when the
heart is young and the blood is
warml
The charades were ended, and Aga
tina, all glowing with her alluring
beauty, was in his arms.
Sylvie was watching them.
"He is her choice-depend upon
that" whispered Jack Stringham.
For myself, Pm afraid Of these out
and-out beauties, and prefer quieter
style"
He leaned close to the delicate girl
beside him, but she did not heed nor
hear.
Joy had left Agatha for a moment,
and suddenly Mr.. Mordaunt tapped
him upon the arm
my dear boy, have no fears. L
have not the heart to blight your happi-
ness. l did have other plans for
Agatha, but | see for myself you are
both suited. l shall give my con-
sent.'
A vivid color swept over joys face.
He uttered no disclaimer. He turned.
Agatha snatched at his arm.
Come out upon the yerandah for a
moment, Joy.'' ..t-.t-.
They swept past the crimson curtain
out into the moonlight. Agatha still
wore the frosted silk and snowy VEIL
Joy, mamma says-oh, what shall
we do?-mamma says that Mr.. Verne,
who married us in the. charade, is a
justice of the peace, and we are-we
are really married.
He did not see through the trans
parent manGuyre Of mother and
daughter, by which both he and her
father had been outwitted. He realized
only that he was the envy of every
young man present; that he knew Aga
tha's fortune to be even more than it
was popularity supposed to be; that this
beautiful creature with the license for
unlimited pleasure and ease offered him
in her jeweled hands-this Circe, as he
once likened her to-was his very
own.
''And papa will be SO angry, you
know. What shall we do?'' Agatha was