The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1880-04-30

Perhaps j can. 1t might not be q dlf- |
fcult task, Claudio, have won many a |
mans heart, just pour passer la |
Temps
sMabel, how could you?" my smile
died away in a frown, I did not like to
hear her SO heartless.
easily enough, Claud, you know 1
never did a thing unless it was done
right, a little display of my dimples,
fiattery and soft nonsense, then the work
is done, eh, Claudia?"
ssWe had better retire." said briefly.
Il do not want to discuss subject L
know nothing about"
We reached the winding stairway, and
Mabel laughed in my face because was
provoked with her. Yale Uom mon taie
Mle," she said, mockingly, ''sha1 1
escort you to your room mon ansa?"
s'Do hush your idiotic French, Nab"
I am tired of your gibberish-good-
night, Mabel"
She put her bare white arm around my
neck and kissed me.
..Don't be cross, Claud," she coaxed,
was only in fun, you know 1 am all
all French, the accent isn't off my voice
yet, but will not try to speak in my
foreign language again to you, good
night
She fitted away like white shadow;
and did NOT see my contemptuous smile
at her slightly accented voice and French
manners. 1 lay on my bed and could
not sleep. thought of Earl, and then
| of Mabel's fower-like beauty; that green
eyed monster, jealousy, was already
at my heart strings, but at last the god
of sleep overcame me, and slept until
the summer sun was high in the
| heavens.
| Mabel and took drive in my pony
| phaeton, after breakfast. I could not
| help loving her; with her childish ways
! and even her little sentences of French
| had to be excused, she was SO lovely and
wilful. That evening Earl came again. l
was singing at the piano, and Mabel was
| standing beside me, ever and anon her
sweet low alto chimed in with my rich
| tones.
ssYou two would make your fortune on
the STAGE" said Earl, coming forward.
''If your magnificent voices could not
draw crowd your faces and forms
would"
Mabel laughed. She was used to COM
| gliments--I was not-and my dark eyes
flashed with pleasure.
"Will you play for me, Miss Stuart?"
said Earl. 81 would like to hear you"
| I arose from the piano, and Mabel sat
down, and began singing sweet, little,
love-song from Martha" l stood at the
| open window, watching the two; the
song was finished, but they were talking
and laughing together, forgetting I was
| present.
"Will you walk on the veranda with
me, Mr.. Vincent, it is just lovely out
| there ?"
Mabel's words. although softly spoken,
| sounded in my ears like death -knell,
/ and Earl's reply did not tighten my heart
IT would be more than pleased" he
said, eagerly. eff Claudia will excuse
us, or perhaps you will go to my black
robed nun ?"
Thank you," said, coldly, "such an
| invitation is not cordial. / will stay
where I am. Certainly, i will excuse
| you both"
They went out then, arm in arm, and
| my face paled with a sudden fear, when
heard Mabels silvery laugh floating on
the still night air.
That night my troubles began. Earl
came to stay at my home until he should
go home for good-then he would take
his wife with him, and which would it
be, Mabel Stuart or I? But my mind
was oOOu db Icot-WuJ L SOY IcSt,
when never know any peace.
It was a sultry moonlight night in the
latter part of July; all day had been
too, If must be truthful; L left my room
to walk in the garden; I knew it must be
cooler where the flowers b1oomed, and
the trees moved their branches in the
warm, misty breeze; went ont the side
door; knew Mabel and Earl were in
the parlor, and did not care to be seen,
as only wore cool white cashmere
"negligee, )" fastened at the waist with
scarlet cord and tassel that looked like
bieod, in the serene white moonlight.
sauntered around the garden until my
robe was wet with evening dew. I was
tired and I sat down on low garden
chair, completely concealed by trailing
vines and pink roses; my heart ached, I
knew that Earl's love was no longer
mine, and I, the proud, the cold and
naughty Claudia Morris, was tired of
living, yet had my father to live for,
and my beautiful cottage home.
My reverie was broken by hearing
voices SO close, yet, I could not see who
it was. could distinguish the one
voice now, that of Earl Vincent, low,
tender, grave.
LII udS uOG D06u long SLICE L nave meg
you, Mabel. but in that short while
have learned to love you, little flower;
will you go home with me as my wife;
tell me, May, will you ?"
/ did not hear the answer, my form
swayed like broken reed, and I fell
fainting in the soft green grass among
the flowers and dew. The gardener
found me- there early in the morning,
and carried me to my room after con-
sulting father. For weeks I lay I'D al
most unto death, but pride conquered,
and once more in early October I went
down to the parlor where Earl and had
spent such happy days. They were both
there, Mabel SO ravishingly beautiful
and Earl so handsome and looking so
happy. He came toward me and took
my hand.
81 am glad you are well again,
Claudia" he said frankly, 1--WE have
missed you sadly; are you quite strong?"
Not quite. thank you" I disengaged
myself from Mabel's clinging arms and
sat down by the window, looking out at
the still beautiful garden.
ST shall drive out with you, to day,
Claudia" said Earl kindly and gently us
ever. 81 should be pleased if you would
honor me. y
just the same as he used to be, before
Mabel came-likea a fash the truth dawn
ed upon me, he had loved me as a sister,
and / had mistaken this meaning.