The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1878-04-11
In a Fog.

Two anu twenty, anu YET Mduue l1ey-
wood never had loved before. Before y
say-she scarcely yet knew the reason
which caused her pulses to quicken at
Writ Douglass step or the glad light to
sparkle in her eyes at his approach.
She had only known him six months.
Until she had met him, she had sOlae-
times wondered why her heart failed
to respond to the many hands which
sought to touch the master chords.
They had lain dull and cold and life
less, until pair of eyes, darkly gray,
looked into hers, voice with subtle
magnetism spoke her name, and sud-
denly the mystery no longer was a
mystery, and she only wondered how
she could have lived her life heretofore
with no sense of its emptiness. 1t was
pleasure sufficient, drifting down the
current.
She almost dreaded the moment she
felt inevitable when he should ask her
to become his wife. He had not yet
uttered the words which should seal
the bond between them, but she felt as
sured the love he had caused to spring
up into such power scarcely equaled
that which spoke in his every glance.
and showed in every act, but the pre-
sent, with its fullness of content, al
lowed her little time to think of the
frtt IL ha
cared not to make it reality.
Very lovely she looked the night of
Mrs. Ravmond's ball. 1t was as though
her happiness had lent her an added
brilliance. Every glance turned on
her as she entered the roems, but of
them all she noted only one.
"You are looking regally lovely this
evening, Miss Maude," he said, draw
ing her arm through his with already
an air of possession. "Yet, your mirror,
doubtless, has told you the story, and
you do not need that my lips indorse
it. Have you remembered your promise
for my waltz?"
An answer trembled on her lips, the
color still flushed her cheek, caused by
his words, when gay voice called his
name. ft III.
"Surely, Mr.. Douglas, you have not
deserted our standard! You promised
to arrange the stage for the tableaux
we are to have later in the evening,
and indeed we cannot get along with
out your valuable assistance"
The speaker was Miss Florence,
who, as she spoke, qllured him with a
glance and smile.
A shade of annoyance passed over his
face, as, turning to his companion, he
begged for few moments to be excused.
"Then, Miss Maude, will return for
our dance"
This last, as Miss Florence, with tri-
umphant assurance, he'd clasped her
hand within h arm and carried him
off as a bird its prey. t.
1t was no new trick for her, since,
in her very limited society experience,
she had learned to angle with consid-
cradle skill, although, unfortunately
for herself the bait had become recog-
nized, and did not attract many to her
line; at least they always discovered
the hook, and nibbled at very safe
distance.
= Maud, restored to her mothers pro-
lection, watched them with an amused
smile, for she well knew how unwill-
ingly this last victim had been en-
trapped.
"What luck, Miss Maudep" broke In
voice upon her reverie, and glancing
up, she saw Mr.. Rochester standing
before her-a very handsome, distin-
guished-looking man, spite of his gray
hairs and his fifty summers. "How
happens It that the fairest flower in
our basket Is wasting its sweelnessg
Suppose you allow me the triumph of
the evening--the envy ofthe card-room
by acting as my partner In single
rubber of whistY 1t is very selfish, l
know, but they will appreciate you all
the more on your return"
"lndecd, Mr.. Rochester, doubt if /
am missed, and, as | did not propose
dancing until after supper, 1t will give
me only too much pleasure" .
A half hour later, seated at the card
table, her attention was suddenly at
tracted by the sound Of voices.
One she recognized as that Of VIII |
Somers, whom she cordially liked, as
one of Mr.. Douglass best friends.
nConfess. Wlrt,u II said, "that Won !