The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-12-28

thing, bright as star, 1alLnS TOO. Inc
small strip of grass where he had stood
was entirely in the shade, hiding from
the light by the large horse-chestnut
trees, and he had to grope in the dark
for this glittering thing. An instant's
search revealed it to be what he sus-
pected--a lady's bracelet. 1t was a
slender circlet of gold, studded with
crystal. The quick movement had I'M
clasped it from her arm; and Robert,
with smile, put it side by side with
the withered bunch of violets in his
pocket as he rode away.
"sceptre and crown I'd fling them down."
sang Mr.. Edbury as he rode swiftly on
in the purple dusk of the trees. "Scep-
tire and crown, if l had them, I'd fling
them down for the one bare chance of
hearing that lovely voice once again"
He was alone; there was no one to
see him; and taking the violets out of
his pocket he kissed them tenderly. 1t
was most absurdly silly of him to do it;
but who of us does not do silly things
in the heyday of our youths morning?
Silly things that we blush for afterward,
perhaps; Just as Robert Edbury blushed
when putting the violets again quickly
away.
"Sceptre and crown I'd fling them down,
If might"
But his song got no further than that;
it died away in thought.
Passing arm-in-arm down the crowd
ed dancing-room of the Spa the next
evening, with his friend Norton, Robert
Edbury's quick ear was caught by a
note which at once arrested his atten-
ton He had said that he should know
that divine voice again, hear it wher-
ever and whenever he might, and he
was not mistaken. A certain remOn-
STRANGE lay in its tone; not to say mis-
belief.
But who could it have been, Rob-
ert, if it was not you? 1t frightens me
to think of it. 1t it was somebody of
your height and figure. 1t must have
been yourself, Robert"
" But | tell you it was not, Jessie.
should like to know who it was"
He was a gentleman, l am sure
with a stress upon the word. You
need not be put out, Robert"
Robert Edbury turned and saw close
beside him, leaning on that other Rob-
ert's arm, a young girl surprisingly
beautiful. Roses mingled with the
bright gold of her hair, shown in the
bosom of her dress. and a bunch of
them was somehow intertwlned with
the slender gold wrist-chain attached
to her fan.
Mr.. Edbury caught his breath, as,
turning her face, the girls soft, violet
blue eyes rested for moment unrecog-
nizingly on his.
"Who is she?" he whispered eagerly
to his friend. "How lovely she is!
What is her name? By heaven! Inever
believed in divine loneliness before; but
here it is, sure and indebted. What is
her name?"
1T is Miss Chassdane," was the an
swer. She and her mother live at
Grove, half mile out of town.
" A farm house." remarked Robert
"No, it is not. 1t looks not unlike
one. They are people of property. Yes,
she is very pretty. I'll introduce you
if you like"
Half an hour later Robert Edbury
was bending over the young lady's
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 busy, unheeding
crowd. The first notes of a Strauss
waltz were beckoning the dancers, and
gay couples went laughing, hurrying
by.
- You are not engaged for this valse?"
said Robert, eagerly
Some remembered cadence of his
voice struck the young girls memory,
and, forgetting 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?n
he pursued, as, with perfect courtesy in
his voice and manner, he took the bit
of gilt and enameled pasteboard which
she had tucked away amid the roses at
her wrist.
CT half promised this dance to
Robert" she stammered, fiinging a
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 by his side.
"See!" he said, gayly: II saved it
from being crushed under foot. VIII
you not give it to me?'
But she reached out her hand i'm
pulsively. CT have given roses to
strangers" she replied, what a cold,
frightened, angry air. "They are Mr..
Robert Stones roses. Give it back to
me, if you please"
"My name is Robert, too,n he said,
in the same gayly tender voice, though
his dark face changed a little at her
frank confession. my name is Robert,
too, Miss Chassdane. Therefore, may
| not claim the rosePh
The soft blue eyes, filled with tears,
flew up and met him. She knew him
then. Frightened and ashamed, and
trembling from head to foot, she rose
impulsively to her feet. He took a
step backward, AMI they stood so,
facing each other moment in the gay,
unheeding crowd.
u know you now" gasped Jessie
"How dare you speak to me again -
you are very presuming, sir. l will
not bear it. Give me back my flower
and leave me- -