Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-01-11

was leaving the room.
Belle. don't fail to cut some hello.
trope, please. Captain CArruthers is
here. aud lie dotcs on heliotrope. BY
the 10y. YOU remember Carruthers, don
you:"
Nv foolish heart gave a sudden thump
AMI the tell tale blood rushed to my
checks. How we'll remembered him.
PAPA, b,et friend the friend who
stood hy la, lying pillow, and closed
his sl.htlc>> eyes.
remembered his parting words too,
when he left me standing beside the
new made grave under the old willows.
No words uf mine can give you any
comfort how. Belle, but time heals the
sorest wounds. regret to leave you.
hut NV regiment goes abroad to-mor-
row. Go"d-by. One day, please
I heaven. | hope to meet Won again"
But in all the dreary following years
/ have heard no word from him.
"Yuu remember him, Of course"
continued my handsome cousin: she
use 10 be at the hall great deal IN
,onr fathers time? Well, we met him
last night at the reception. He's been
here week; and he's millionaire,
! Belle. You know old Carruthers. of
/ Carrnthers Place? He's dead, and the
captIin inherts the fortune, You see.
Sod mt forget the heliotrope. know it
isn't becOming-purple, of all colors.
suits my creole complexion best-but l
remember what "A fancy Cdrruthers al
ways had for heliotrope, and he's worth
pleasing. you know"
Aunt Edmonton laughed as she arose
and shook out her lace 1lounces.
"Wear the heliotrope, by all means,
Rite, but you need not feel n bit anx
ious. You secured the captain and his
fortune last night; that rose silk and
diamonds did the work. l never saw a
man more infatuated. Well, he's u
good match. I've not a word to say
against it; no better family in Virginia
than he comes of, and Carruthers Place
is grand old home. All, there's his
carriage below now; I'll go down I'M
til you are ready. Do make haste,
Belle. And 1 wish you'd be obliging
enough to do Rites hair this evening;
YOU are so much more skillful than Fe-
lice. And look over the jewels please;
think that pearl and opal set will
match her dress"
hurried down to the greenhouse.
Heartache was no new sensation, but
somehow my pain seemed intolerable
as made my way down the dim aisle,
gorgeous tropic blooms sitting me with
their rank odors.
forgot Bellies flowers, forgot her
waiting toilet, forgot everything but
my own suffering. An aloe tree, in
full blossom. sitting alone like some
weird necromancer, caught my eye.
and l sunk down at its roots, and burst
into tears.
seemed to see papa's grave, covered
with yellow autumn leaves. heard
the wash of the waves, the murmur of
the pine trees. The hustle of the gas
lit streets drove me to frenzy. =
"This life is killing me; I must go
home to the old hall, and papa's grave"
A hand touched my arm as the words
broke from my lips.
81 beg your pardon, madam; you
seem in distress. Can help-Good
Heaven! Belle, is it you?"
Captain Carruthers!'
leaped to my feet, and we stood
face to face. He was bronzed and
bearded, but the frank, kind eyes were
unchanged. A wild impulse seized
upon me to clasp his hands, and tell
him how lonely and friendless I was;
but woman's pride, stronger even than
woman's love, stifed the desire at its
very birth. bowed coldly.
why, Belle, you haven't changed;
only you look worn and sad. I am SO
glad to meet you. Ihave written again
and again, until fancied you were
. dead. How is it that 1 find you here in
Paris?"
mo matter; bid you good even
ing, Captain Carruthers."
The glad, kind, handsome eyes
widened with wonder as darted away.
Dear me, Belle, thought you'd
never come. didn't like to keep Car
ruthers waiting. Gracious goodness |!
where are the fowers?"
II didn't get them, and can't dress
you, Marguerite, am going to my
ROOM"
why, what's the matter? Are you
, ill3"
l did not pause to answer. At noon
l on the following day. my aunt sum-
moned me to her presence.
"You needn't read to-day, Belle; I
want to talk to you. You met Captain
Carruthers in the greenhouse last
night?"
Yes, by accident"
> And Edmonton toyed with the tas
. sells of her morning robe, and for the
first time, to my knowledge, showed
signs OF embarrassment.
by accident, of course! I didn't
suppose you mistook my meaning my
dear: He's fine, handsome fellow.
: and he and Rite are we'll matched. don't
you think SO? Well, my dear, his COM
ing changes our programme in meas.
ure. We may remain here for the win
ter: and your health seems to be fail
ing. and You don't like Paris, Belle.
and | thought"
You thought you would send me
home, Aunt Edmonton? PRAY do. /
meant to ask permission to go this very
day am dreadfully homesick."
She laughed genially, and, crossing
the room, kissed me with more kind
ness than she had ever shown me.