The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1880-04-03

into the sacred precincts of his sisters own
sitting room--a very decidedly good looking
fellow, with his dark fall overcoat, his i'm
maculately fitting kids, The SUIT of rough
gray tweed, the rosebud and geranium leaf
in his button hole, the becoming wide rim
med soft felt hat
a sound of feminine voices came distinct
ly to his ears, as he stepped on the little
gothic piazza-sweet, joyous voices that
should have made Mr.. Warrington thrill
with delight; that, instead, called hope
less, helpless look to his eyes.
"Cupid and his demons are at it," he
thought, resignedly.
Then woman's laugh rang out just in
side the door-a laugh that rippled and
trilled, like waves of silvery melody, low,
ravishingly sweet, gay and gillish; and, in
voluntarily look of approval crossed the
gentleman's face.
"Fairly well done very well done, in
deed but"
His sisters voice interrupted and scatter
ed his thoughts:
"Now, Gladys, you are too cruel, actually
to laugh at our mistake"
"Gladys?" What an unusual, poetic
name. ,And Gladys was the girl with the
sweet laugh and just then he knocked on
the door, and the ladies left en- masse while
Mrs Craven greeted him.
Half an hour later, he was presented, in
ceremonial form, in the big, brilliant par
lors and-just as he had expected-more
than one pair of arch eyes shot glances at
him-blue eyes and brown, black eyes and
room, there was one only whose cool, su-
perb indifference, as she merely raised her
Jet lashed lids, for courteous glance, sur
prised him-a medium height, princess-like
looking creature, with creamy-pale com
plexion, and waving black hair, great
tropical, dark eyes, and lips like the heart
of red, red rose.
And her name was Mrs. Lorimer, and she
wore mourning-not hopeless, not-to-be-
comforted mourning, but the ooquetry of
woe, black silk and jet, with a white hya-
cinth of spray in her lustrous hair.
She just raised her eyelids and bowed,
and then seemed to forget him entirely, as
Mr.. Craven came up, in mischievous au-
thority.
"Gladys, wasting the precious time thus !?
Didn't you know it was time for Desde-
mona to dress, or undress."
She laughed, showing distracting dim
pie on one satiny cheek, and revealing an
exquisite mouthlul of teeth, and took Cra-
ven's arm, and marched Off graceful, sup
pie, attractive enough to make Mr. Var
rington cast careless second glance after
her.
All that evening he was more than usual
ly interested in this beautiful, naughty crea-
ture, who seemed so utterly forgetful of his
presence, except when that fact was forced
upon her by some stress of circumstances.
When he played a very brilliant fantasia
Mrs. Lorimer did not listen breathlessly
as most of the ladies did, but he very plain
ly saw her leaning listlessly back against
the chair cushions, evidently merely hear
ing and not enjoying the music.
When he got off joke, Mrs. Lorimel
was the only one who did not laugh, and
when Mrs. Craven proposed that Walsh and
Gladys should try a new duet, Mrs. Lori
mer declined-she was not at all in voice.
And the consequence was that this hero
if hero he can be called-of ours found him,
self in a state of surprise and pque very un'
usual to him, and he very doggedly made
up his mind that, after so many years of tri
umph, he was not to be vanquished by this
betwitchng little woman.
"Not that she interests me specially" h,
assured himself, as he cogtated oyer his ci
gar in his room that night-"not that she
need resort to such cuteness and--good gen
eralship must admit it is-to win my ad
miration. But she certainly is a duced fine
woman, and the late lamented Lorimer il
to be regarded as a fellow Of unquestionec
good taste, and all that but she mustn't sci
her little feminine trap for me. All tn,
same, I'm determined to take her downs
step or two, just to let her see l can, you
know"
He nodded TO his reflection in the mirrol
of the dressing case, ana shortly after, in his
sleep, he dreamed of a rare pale face, and d
mouth like cleft pomegranate, .or luscious
culoring.
When he awoke, he was conscious of q
curious something that was very new and
pleasant, and it was several seconds before
he could materialze the impression.
"Ah, the delicious little Lorimer Yes
poor girl and yet she. dosen't seem very
heart broken. Fine woman, and no doubt
and nearer my style than | ever though
existed more the sort OF woman I woulc
marry-if ever decided TO marry-than
ever saw. But hope she won't fall in love
with me, for really"
Somehow, both his eoneeit and his assur
anoe failed him somewhat, and he wen
} down to breaklast-a free and easy to orde
meal at the Craven's-to find everybody
{ finished and gone, except Mrs. Lorimer,wh'
Z was dividing her time between a book o
costumes and an omelette souiIle.
She babe him good morning with char
ming, reserved grace, and took her book an,
arose from her chair.
'You are not going to leave meT b
. said, with a gallant depreciation in his ton
r. and look.
She smiled, but went relentlessly towar
L the door,
81 am very much afraid you will have
excuse me, Mr., Warrington. l have a
n engagement with Mr.. Ysnduyn."