The daily gazette., 1879-05-15
FIRST EDITION.
DISAPPOINTED.
BY NAY CHARLTON.

4
with, or doomed to success or despair,
John Clifford certainly looked like a
.hopeless" lover thinking about Isabel
DeLOrme.
His was q bright face, though not
handsome, and lighted by laughing blue
eyes that the young lady never yet had
satisfactorily decided were In fun or
earnest when their owner flashed their
light upon her.
John Clifford was twenty six, and no
face had ever yet disturbed the even
tenor or his way until this IsabelDeL Lorme
had come to his mothers house, and won
all hearts under the roof before a week.
Only three months acquainted, and
John Clifford could have sworn it SEEM
ed like so many years, buch perfect
friends they. two had become, despite
that tall, aristocratic blonde gentleman
from Paris who sat next to Isabel at ta-
BILE, and who frowned 30 audibly when
John would bend over her regal head
and whisper something or other.
And sitting there, he had to smile
with superb indifference when he thought
of this blonde gentleman, this Mr.. Elmer,
whose admiration for his peerless Isabel
was so patent.
To be sure, Mr.. Elmer and Isabel had
been carrying on harmless little firta-
ton, of and on.
But John hadn't said anything, for
two good reasons one was, he was not
a declared lover of Miss DeLorme, much
as he would have liked to be;the other he
had just as nice little time with Addie
Sunderland between times when he took
a OF roll n,,lx, N ~f
He and Addie had known each other
ever since John could remember.
Aud then, with Addie two miles of,
and Isabel constantly before his eyes
with Addie, when he did see her, in
plainest of muslin toilets, perhaps demi.
dishabiiie, and Isabel flashing before his
eyes In such wondrously bewitching
dresses, 1t was little wonder that he grew
to forgetting Addie Sunderland's peach
bloom cheeks, hair like spun gold, and
eyes as dark, but not so brilliant as Isa-
bel De Lorne's own.
John Clifford was fast forgetting her;
and that elegant lady had won him
whom she had wanted so for her very
own.
Poor foolish little Addie! but she was
only seventeen, and in love, else she
would have risen up and met and van
quished her foe; for her own weapons,
her feminine tact, beauty, wit and grace,
were sharp and bright as her enemy's,
only her enemy was an expert In their
use, and well, only just the truest,
sweetest girl in the country was Addie.
The lights were faring and flaming
brightly in Mrs. Clifford's parlor, and the
little grounps gathered together were un-
usually disinclined for conversation.
1t had been delightful season, and
on the morrow their pleasant party would
be broken up, in all probability never to
meet again. t.fs
Mrs. Clfiord's guest was to leave in
the morning.
And yet John Clifford had not spoken.
But tonight, when he saw her stand
ing by the window, silent, thoughtful,
alone, so queenly in her attitude ofgrace,
he suddenly walked into her presence,
resolving to ask her to stay and be his
wife, or to go his betrothed bride.
She turned, with bright smile, and
held out her hand. - ST
81 believe / was certainly getting
lonely. Are you ever lonely, Mr.. Cliff
ford ?"
She flashed him glance from her
radiant eyes as she spoke; and with the
hand John was not still holding care
lessly, but with a matchless grace that
did not escape her lovers ardent, admir-
ing gaze, swept back rich stray curl off
her forehead.
How liqliidly tender her voice was
And John Clifford wondered if his
destiny had created this opportunity for
his especial good.
"You ask me if am ever lonely" he
said, in low, murmurous tone that was
Intoxicating in its sweetness and proud
strength, that grew passionate as he
went on; s'as II / could be, when have
had you near me; as If ever would be
with you. Isabel, you will not go and
leave Te desolate? Isabel, my own dar-
ling! my own beautiful darlingw
Then, without waiting for an answer,
satisfied in that he told her all his heart,
as it behoOved him to do, John Clifford
caught her in his arms, held her in a
tight embrace, the while raining kisses
he could not Withhold on her splendid
face, on her warm, quivering lips.
Then he held her at arms length and
smiled down OH her.
"My own! Iknew had but to tell
and"
But she was shivering strangely.
He saw her mouth parted to speak,
and he stopped suddenly.
"Mr. Clifford-oh, Mr.. Clifford,
would give worlds to undo what you
have done! to unsay what you have
said! Oh, why has this terrible mistake
occurred! Tell me what l have done to
justify it "
She was fairly wailing out her piteous
words, and he saw there was something
yet to come.
"Tell me-" he returned huskily.
"Whatever il is want to know"
But she seemed to disregard his
words. 49,,
She walked up and down the little
room in restless distress.
"How did know you thought was
Miss De Lorme? Everybody called me
Isabel. John Clifford, am Mrs. De
Lorme! Why didn't you know t?"
There was smothered fierceness in her
voice as she abruptly proclaimed it.
He stood several seconds stricken
dumb with the news.
Then he went up to her.
"Forgve mel meant no harm. God
is my Judge of that. And you, Mrs. De
Iorme, if you will mercifully forget it,
II will try"
He bowed and left her to herself.
10 wont to the quiet of her room,