Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1879-03-14

died. Widowed end childless she was
fond of young people, aud sure to have
pleasant society always in her rooms.
often dropped in unlimited and unan,
nounced, and was always warmly well
coined. Therefore I was amazed one
evening early in February, when | had
been six months in New York, to meet
an embarrassed greeting from my old
friend. I bad passed the door, seen
bright lights in the reception room. heard
the sound Of music and entered. But as
l stood near window looking over the
room | heard Mrs. Crawford speak to o
friend
carl Egerton is here, and l invited
Marian Hentz. She is in the music
room"
"How very awkward Do you sup
pose he will mind?"
II never spoke to him about it"
Then they passed on, leaving me to
wonder who Marian Hentz might be,
and why it was awkward for me to meet
her. l sauntered into the music room
At the piano, singing as I never heard
an amateur sing before, was girl OIL
about nineteen, with the ravest, most
perfect brunette beauty, the combina-
ton of black hair and eyes with a daz-
zling fair complexion.
Her rich, cultivated voice rang out in
a ballad, the very simplicity of render
ing being triumph of art.
"Who is she p whispered to q pref
J ty blonde beside .ress
ga music teacher Mrs. Crawford is
interested in" was toe half contemptu-
Gus answer, and then rush of crimson
dyed the girls face as she said, "Oh, |
forgot, Mr. Egerton thought-I-"
and she actually ran away from me.
Then found Mrs. Crawford, and
begged an introduction to the singer,
and was answered:
ut is Marian Hentz, Mr.. Egerton.
But | suppose you must meet her some
time"
1t was no place to seek an explanation
and / was presented to Miss Hentz, who
was coldly, very coldly civil to me.
For two weeks | met her constantly,
and was bafiled by her exceeding cold
ness, while learning to admire her as |
never admired any woman before. Her
beauty was delight to an artist, her
voice won my heart, and in spite Of her
evident dislike for my society | loved
her.
1t was fresh young love, too, al
though | had admired others before -
My life had been too hard struggle
for necessities to indulge in love dreams,
and when | gave my heart to Marian
Hentz, gave it true. loyal and untried.
But l,made no progress, though the
spring days came and the summer bloom
ed and l haunted her. We had all been
invited to Becchwood, Mrs. Crawford's
country seat, for summer visit. when
one evening just before she left the city
| went to call upon my old friend.
She was in the library, and as ! cross
ed long room. heavily carpeted, to tho
door, heard voice, too dearly famil-
lar, say:
II cannot go Do you not understand
how painful it is for me to meet Carl
Egerton 7"
"But, my dear child" my old friend
said, ''if he loves you, and | am sure he
does"
Hush !" Marian answered quickly,
at never could be %
mot fl might be your grand
mother, my child-not if you love him"
A sob answered this, but in mo-
ment she said hastily:
II do love hin. There you have
forced il out of inc But it can never be,
never !"
| heard her leave the room by another
door, and 20 up stairs, sobbiDg as she
went. And | did not wait for ceremony.
but went To Mrs. Crawford, asking abb
ruptly:
why can it never be r.
Were you there. Carl ?" she asked.
Eyes, coming TO beg you 10 plead my
cause with Marian Hentz. What is the
mystery about herr
lis it possible you do not know r.
II never heard Of her until met her
here"
"Sit hero beside me, Carl I have
blamed you. loving you. that you did
not take any action in the matter. But
il you arc ignorant Of her claim upon
you"
"Claim upon me !" cried.
"Well. upon your property F! What
wIdcopcn eyes You arc surely ignorant
and iDnocentl Listen. then Your
grandmother and Marian's Grandmother
were FIRST cousins. and warmly attached
TO each other. When you, a. boy.
refused 10 be adopted By your grand.