Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1878-12-12
yiolets again quickly away.

IL uAtl away III flbOhshb.
Passing arhl-iu-arm down the crowd
I'D daucingroom of the Spa the next
evening, with his friend Norton, Rob
art Edbury's quick ear was caught by
4 note which at once arrested his at
tentlou. He had divine voice again,
near it whenever or wherever he
might, and he vas not mistaken. a
certain remOnstrance lay in its tone;not
to say misbelief.
But who could it have been, Robert.
( it was not you? 1t frightens me to
think of it. lit was sombOdy OF
your height and figure. 1t must have
been yourself, Robert
But tell you il WIS not Jessie.
should like to know who it was
He was a gentleman, ] am sure
with stress upon the word. You
need not be put out, Robert
Robert Edbury turned and saw close
Sbeside him, leaning on that other
Roberts arm, a young girl surprising
" beautiful. Roses mingled with the
bright gold of her hair, shone in the
bosom of her dress, and bunch OF
of them wa. somehow intertwiDed with
the slender gold wrist'chsin attached
20 her fan,
Mr.. Edbury caught his breath, as,
turning her face, the girls soft, violet
| blue eyes rested for moment uBre'
cognizingly on his,
'Who is she?' he whispered eagerly
to his friend. How lovely she is!
What Is her name? By heaven!
never believed in divine lOveliness be-
fore; but here it is, pure and undetiled.
What is her name"
st is Miss Chassdane,' was the an
5Wer. she and her mother live al the
grove, half mile out Of town.
| "A farm house, remarked Robert.
No, it is not. 1t looks not unlike
one. They sre 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 a
vine wreathed window. They were
as much alone as it is possible for one
to be in the heart OF a 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 the valst"
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?'
ne pursued, as. with perfect courtesy
in his voice and manner, he took the
bit of gilt and eRameled pasteb0ard
which she had tucked away amid the
roses at her wrist.
IL had promised this dance TO
Robert she stanmered, flingIng a
quick glance over her shoulder into
the swaying crowd
Then L shall claim it, answered the
other Robert with an audacious smile.
He stopped and picked up a rosebud
that had fallen, and then held ii
triumphantly before the flushed and
startled face by his side.
'Seep he said, gayIy: Il saved it
from being crushed unGer foot. Will
you not give it to me"
But she reached out her hand inn
puIsively. II never give roses to
strangers she replied, with a cold,
frightened, angry air. They are Mr..
Robert Stonor's roses. Give it back to
me, if you please
My name is Robert, too he said, 10
the same gayly tender voice, though
his dark face changed little at her
frank confession. My name is Robert,
too, Miss Chas5dane. Therefore may
l not claim the roses?
The soft blue eyes, filled with tears,
few up and met his. She knew him
then. Frightened and ashamed, and
from head to foot, she rose
to her feet, He took
step back waEd, and they stood 50,
facing each other a moment in the CAV.
crowd.
Il know you,' now gasped Jessie.
How dare you speak to me again
you are very presuming, sir. | will
not bear it. Give me back my flower
and leave me-
Nay he said gently, but in the tone
Of a master, is there cause for anger?'
And in low, reasoning, persuasive
voice he spoke to her for some mo-
nents, and the rising spirit was calm.
I'd. In spite OF herself and against her
will, she was becoming inresistibly
Give me this one waltz, Miss
and then l will give you
back your roses. 1t will be fair ex.
change. But mind what tell you, as
sure as there is heaven above US the
lay is coming when you will offer N g
A rose unasked. Come!'
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
lnwardly 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 not gone to the rooms that night,
She looked very pale. The pretty rose
color had all died out of the sweet
round cheeks.
Are you faint? he asked anxiously,
over her. Are you tired?
Shall | get you seme water?'
No, MOP she cried, shrinking away
from him. 1 am not faint-but look
at Mr.. Robert Stonor. L have offended Il
him. He is angry because l danced
with you. Oh, what shall l do? He
IS my cousin and has ill-heaIth, and /
mast not be excited
Robert Edbury turned, and saw ;
near him that other Robert.
who threatened to be, or perhaps was,
40 mean rival. His ill'health was
evident. One hand was pressed to his
'ide, as if to still some pain there, and
ID his handsome blonde face, which
vas marked by unmistakable- traces of
sickness, cloud Of jealous anger rest
I'd heavily.
The eyes OF the two men met, and
zach knew the other for rival.
a half smile of scorn as he looked |
,urled Robert Efbury's lips. In case
ike this mau has no pity for the all {
nents OF another. With a grave face {
le TOOK from mis- pocket the rosebud
md laid it in Miss Chassdane's lap.