The Democratic advocate., 1878-12-07
by side with the withercd 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 il
the purple dusk of the trees. "Sceptrt
and crown, if [ had them, I'd fling then
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 wal
most absurdly silly of him to do it; bu
who of us does not do silly things in the
heyday of our youths morning? Silly
things that we blush for afterward, per
haps; just as Robert Edbury blushed wher
putting the violets again quickly away.
"Sceptre and crown I'd fling them down,
If | might"
But his song got no further than that; il
died away in thought
Passing arm-in-arm down the crowded
dancing-room of the Spa the next evening
with his friend Norton, Robert Edbury'f
quick ear was caught by note which al
once arrested his attention. He had said
that he should know that divine voice
again, hear it wherever or whenever he
might, and he was not mistaken. A GER
tain remonstrance lay in its tone; not to
say mischief.
"But who could it have been, if it was
not you? 1t frightens me to think OF it
lit was somebody of your heigth and
figure. 1t must have been yourself Rob
ert."
"But I tell you it was not Jessie. ]
should like to know who it was
"He was gentleman, 1 am sure, -
with stress upon the word. "You need
not be put out, Robert"
Robert Edbury turned and saw close
beside him, leaning on that other Roberts
arm, young girl surprisingly beautiful
Roses mingled with the bright gold of heI
hair. shone in the bosom of her dress, and
bunch of them was somehow intertwined
with the slender gold wrist-chain at
tached to her fan.
Mr.. Edbury caught his breath, as, turn
ing her face, the girls soft violet-blue eyes
rested for moment unrecognizingly on
his
"Who is she ?" he whispered eagerly to
his friend. "How lovely she is What
is her name? By heaven never be-
lieved in divine loveliness before; but here
it is, pure and undefled. What is her
name?"
at is Miss Chassdane," was the answer.
"She and her mother live at the Grove,
half mile out of town"
"a farmhouse" 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 was bending
over the young lady's hand in the pretty
secluded gloom of "a vine-wreathed window.
They were as much alone as it is possible
for one to be in the heart of busy, un-
needing crowd. The first notes of a
Strauss waltz we're beckoning the dancers,
and gay couples went laughing, hurrylng
"You are not engaged for this waltz p
said Robert, eagerly.
Some remembered cadence of his voice
struck the young girls memory, and, for
getting 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 r
he pursued, as with perfect courtesy in
his voice and manner, he took the bit OF
Gilt and enamel pasteboard which she had
tucked away amid the roses at her wrist
oI-I half promised this dance to Rob
ert." she stammered, finging quick glance
over her shoulder into the swaying crowd.
"Then 1 shall claim it," answered the
other Robert, with an audacious smile.
He stopped and picked up 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. Will you not
give it to me?"
But she reached out her hand impul-
sively. "I-1 never give roses to strang-
ers," she replied, with cold, frightened,
angry air. ''They are Mr.. Robert Stonor' 5
roses. Give it back to me, if you please. 4"
"My name is Robert, toe" he said, in
the same gayly tender voice, though his
dark face changed little at her frank
confession. "My name is Robert, too,
Miss Chassdane. Therefore, may l not
claim the rose Z"
The soft blue eyes, filled with tears, flew
up and met his. She knew him then.
Frightened and ashamed, and trembling
from head to foot, she rose impulsiVely to
her feet He took step backward, and
they stood SO, facing each other moment
in the gay, unhceding crowd;
"Iknow you now" gasped Jessie. GLOW
dare you speak to me again-you are very
presumiug, sir. 1 will not bear it. Give
me back my flower and leave me"
"Nay," he said gently, but in the tone
of master, sis th" e cause for anger =
And in low, reas, persuasive voice
he spoke to her for moments, and
the rising spirit was calmed. In spite of
herself and against her will she was be-
coming irresistibly attracted to this man.
"Give me this one waltz, Miss Chass-
dane, and then l will give you back your
rose. 1t will be fair exchange. But
mind what tell you, as sure as there is
heaven above us the day is coming when
you will offer me rose unasked. Gomez
The old rose-red flush drifted over the
young girls face; his words, and more than
all, his manner, impressed her as he meant
they should. He stood, with proffered
arm, courteously still beside her; and,
though protesting inwardly with all her
might that she would not dance, she gave
him her hand, and in another moment they
were floating deliciously together to the
strains of the seductive music.
When it was over, Robert led her to
her seat near some friends; her mother
had gone to the rooms that night. She
looked very pale. The pretty rose color
had all died out of the sweet round cheeks
care you faint?" he asked anxiously,
bending over her. "Are you tired? Shall
get you some water?"
"No, noW she cried, shrinking away
from him. 81 am not faint-but look at
Mr.. Robert Stonor. have offended him;
he is angry because I danced with you.
Oh, what shall I doP He is my cousin,
and has ill-health, and he must not be ex-