Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-04-02
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led to my place by Rudolph. But the
smile died away upon my lips.
Why did Lillian grow so deadly pale
and Rudolph frown and compress his
Inns I made some blunder, for John
said. in hi, grave sedate way;
You have made mistake Debby'
This wayv
Then my hand was clasped in Ru'
dolph's again, and we waited for the
side couples to dance, But 1 could not
helm watching Lillian talking so fast to
John. her cheeks red again-too red
her eyes feverish, aud her animation
foo marked for my shy little cousin
Ru dolph was pale now, and something
had disturbed his boyish brightness.
was glad when the dance was over
and we wandered off to the conservato-
ry. Nobody minded, for Rudolph and
bad been engaged for five years and
tbis ball was one of many given in hon
or ofh,s home coming. He had gone
10 California to seek a fortune, leaving
me plodding away at music teaching 10
support myself, Aunt Charlotte and
Lillian who was then only fourteen
years old.
We were poor enough in those days.
both Rudolph and his betrothed' and
Gov Corr wears there was but little varla-
rion in the monotony Of money gaming
for hotb. Then fortune gave her wheel
sudden most unexpected whirl in onr
favor for Rudolph made a successful
sneculation that lifted him at once to
wealth. and my good mother died and
left me an heiress.
It was a little bcwilderng at first to
l.. ,;.,ros, .of handsome country seat
town house. carriages, Jewels, and "
LARGE bank account, but l had not q.
WAYS been poor, and L soon oecahe
accustomed 10 my splendor.
i'll had kept my dear little crippled
aunt aud Lillian with me when every
weeks income had TO be divided with
noinful economy. it was scarcely proba'
ble we would separate when | was able
to Give them luxurles. And John Lor-
ino was still my friend, as he had been
when mamma was living, and poor pa
na's affairs were found to be so embar-
rassed after his death.
There was no mystery about my en-
caoement. and when Rudolph came
home we were all making a summer
soiourn at Wylde Glen, where my
country seat was located. John was at
the hotel. but he came over ofien' and
all the neighbors were very soclaole'
So we had balls, plcnics, crosuet parties
and every sort OF testlvity, TO aInuSe
Rudolph, while my trosseau was being
made in New York. and wedding trip
discussed.
This ball of Mrs. Maitland's was one
Of the last, for autumn leaves were laIl-
ing. l had thought when l was dress
inc for it, that the years of poverty ana
toll had not left their traces upon ku'
dolph's face as they had on mine. was
always fair and blonde, but l looked
faded. washed out, and my blue dress
did not become me.
Or was it Lihan's face looking over
my shoulder that made me think so.-
Lillian was fair, but her ripping hair was
q perfect bronze color, her eyes brown
and soft as a fawn's, and her cheeks
tinted like rose petals. In her low
broad brow. her sensitive lips, you read
genus. for the child was an artist born.
with wondrous musical gifts and rare
noe,ical tancies. She was tall and slen-
der. the perfection Of grace, aud her
dress O. fleecy white, with green leaves
in her hair and on her breast, suited her
charmngly.
And vet l was only twenty-five GER
tanly not old. Rudolph was live years
older. and still, despite his brown beard
tand manly carriage, Rudolph was boylsh
in his lrankness, his enjoyment of fun
his energy and love of athletic sports
He had not been heavily burdened'
though he had not been rich. But L
ah me ! l had nursed mother through
two years Of helplessness, after father
failed in business, and died soon after.
had cone to Aunt Charlotte when she
fell down stairs, and her busy usefulness
left her forever. / had remained with
her. taking her pupils with my own and
helping Lillian to get an education.
It was a hand-to-hand struggle with
povertv and heartache, varied by weeks
at time of nursing Aunt Charlotte
through agOnizing suffering, and 1t had
left me aged beyond my years. Many
time l would have despaired but Tor
John Loring-one Of papa's business
friends. and our adviser in all matters
of ofdinicullty.
But it was all oyer. l was rich. Rn-
doIph was at home, and as tenderly
loving as l could wish. Only-as we
walked to the conservatory, | wished
Lillian had not grown so pale when we
changed partners in the quadrille, and
Rudolph took her little white gloved
hands In his. He talked gently to me
as we stood by the plashing fountain
told me Of some purchases he had made
for our home, and commented pityingly
upon my weary eyes and cheeks.
All this dissipation is too much Tor
YOU. Debby,' he said and hated my
old fashioned name as he spoke it,
Lillian wa. softer, more musical. Why
.o,,,o,l for NV orondmofher2, ?,