The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-12-01

II T-I half promised this dance to Robert"
she stammered, finging quick glance over
her shoulder into the swaying crowd.
"Then shall claim II" answered the other
Robert, with an audaciOus smile. He stopped
and picked up rosebud that had fallen, and
then held 1t triumphantly before the flushed
and startled face by his side.
'Seep' he said gayly, 81 saved it from being
crushed under foot Will you not give it to
me?"
Bnt she reached out her hand impuIsvey.
~ never give roses to strangers" she re-
piled, with cold, frightened, angry air.
Ihey are MI. Robert Stonor's roses. Give 1t
back to me- il you please"
MY name is Robert, too" 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. There
FORE may not claim the roseY'
The soft blue eyes, filled with tears, flew up
and met his. She knew him then. Fright
ened and ashamed, and trembling from head
to foot, she rose impulsively to her feet. He
took a step backward and they stood SO,
facing each other a moment In the gay, I'M
needing crowd.
81 know you now" said Jessie. "How dare
you speak to me again-you are very pre-
suming, sir. will not bear it. Give me back
my flower and leave me-
Nay" he said gently but in the tone of
| master, lis there cause for angerY' And in a
low, reasoning, persuasive voice he spoke to
her Tor some moments, and the rising spirit
l
her will she was becoming irresistbly at
| tracted to this man.
GIVE me this one waltz, Miss Chassdane,
and then will give you back your rose. 1t
Will be D. fair exchange. But mind what |
tell you, rs sure as there is a heaven above us
| the day is coming when you will offer me q
rose unasked. Gomez
The eld rose-red flush drifted over the
young girls face; his words, his manner
convinced her that he meant what he said,
and Though protesting inwardly and with
much sehcmence that she would not dance,
she finGlly gave her consent, and In another
momeIt they were floating through the waltz
together to the strains Of the seductive music.
WheE 1t was over Robert led her to her
friends; her mother had not gone to the rooms
that night. She looked very pale. The pretty
rose cosor had all died out of the sweet round
cheeksS
"Arc.you faint?' he asked anxiously, bend
ing ovsr her. Are you tired? Shall l get
you So<1e water?'
No, zno!" she cried, shrinking away from
him. 81 am not faint-but look at Mr. Robert
Stonor.s | have offended him. He is angry
becauss. danced with you. Oh, what shall !
do? Hs Is my cousin, and has ill-health, and
he muss not be excited"
Robe{t Edbury turned, and saw standing
near h!al that other Robert, who threatened
| TO be-s1r perhaps was-no mean rival. His
| ill-heatth was evident. One hand was pressed
to his side as ii to still some pain there. and
on his shandsOme blonde face. which was
sickness q cloud Of jealous anger rested
heavily.
The eyes of the two men met and each
knew the other for rival.
A hai smile OF Scorn as he looked curled
Robert Edbury's lips. In a case like this
man has no pity for the ailments of another.
with a grave look he took from his pocket
the rosebud and laid it in Miss Chassdane's
There is your rose" he said, quietly. 81
restore II to you at your wish. But remem-
Der what ! said and believe me- time will
prove lsse to be no false prophet"
Without waiting for an answer, he bowed
and disappeared amid the throng of dancers
Seekin4he no more that night.
rs Miss ChaSSdane engaged to that mani"
he questioned Of his friend Norton.
Il betieve there Is no positive engagement"
was ting reply. Mrs. Chassdane, it is said
objects TO it,"
"On what score does she object? Money?
'Oh. no; StonOr has small, compact estate
close By, and Is well off. On the score Of his
uncnrtaa n health Also, they are cousins"
"Whast is it that is the matter with him?"
IONS complication connected with both
the4unGs and heart which, l conclude, rem
dert treatment difficult"
DO you think Miss Chassdane cares for
him."
81 don't think she loves him, Edbury-if
that's what you mean. 1t seems to me that
she likes him more as a brother. When eli
glble attentions are paid to girls they feel
".
Nine out OF ten Of them understand nothing
of their own feelings, and mistake friendship
Tor love. Robert Stonor and Miss ChasSdane
have grown up together have been like
brother-aDd sister,
Frequently they met after that. It was an
unusually gay season at Spafield, and enter
tainmeBt5 abounded accordingly. In the
morning drinking the water, or making be-
lieve to drink it; IN the afternoon sauntcring
in the gardens, or on the parade; in the eve
rooms two
or three times did Mr.. Edbury and Miss
Chassdane meet, and linger together, and
converse with each other. Robert Edburys
time was his own, and he staid on He could
have stafd forever. The two or three weeks
soiourn he had intended had more than dou-
bled itself. For he had learned to love her
passionately, and all the world might see it
for augnt he cared. She too, might see it if
she chose, but whether she did or not he
could net tell, Judging from the grave and
sweet dignity with which she met and bore
back hEseager attentions.
At length there came an evening when he
detes miaed to put his fate to the test; to go
on In this uncertainty was worse than tor
mont. They had not been much disturbed by
ROb&t StonOf; paroxySm of his complaint
had 3onhned that gentleman to his own home
Ami 80 Robert Edbury went up to the old
gablxd slouse, before which his horse had
halted that first night and sought an inter-
view wi.h Miss Chassdane She was quite
alone. che long French window by which she
sat was lung wide open, and the low red sun
light, streaming in over her, lighted up her
fair. gold hair, and the roses in her dress.
How beautiful she isl" he thought as he
took her hand in his. what Ii / should not
win her after all? But l will make hard
fight foE it,"
Jessie looked up inquiringly into his face.
you age very silent" she said; and then,
catching the earnest look in his eyes, she
blushed violently and drew away her hand
Glove you, he passionately broke forth in
10y, tEemulous tone, breaking his emotional
silence. II have come to you this evening to
risk my fate by saying this, to wiz or lose
all. .Jessie, you must know how | love you
how have loved you all along from that
very first night that | spoke to you, neither
of us knowing the other. Will you not give
SONG, hope OF love in return? Do not send me
fron. you an utterly broken and discouraged
MARI"
ksie vas silent for monochrome long,
crut, molaent to Robert Edbury-then the
small, s3eet face was turned to him with
gentle dignity He knew his doom before
hand, ereShe spoke the works