Louisiana capitolian., 1880-01-31
Don't Loan Your Lover.

DVx u AV(lH 1Vul AVVCA
"Won't you lend me your Philip,
only for tomorrow" and a pair OF
bright, laughing eyes looked plead
incly into mine. "He is 80 handsome,
so full of fun-in fact, ever SO much
nicer than any one know; and | am
certain you would not be afraid Of
poor little me-"
| looked up quickly. ! was not OF
a suspicious nature, but there seemed
to be something unpleasant in the
clear, soft tone OF the girls voice, but
the honest eyes gazed into mine, and
| reproacl.ed myself severely for my
unkindlv thoughts.
Helen Egerton was my most init
mate friend. She was the only aud
petted daughter Of wealthy mer-
Chant, and as she had been travelling
during the past year had only known
Philip since my engagement to him.
She was u year my junior, but we
had been playmatcs ever since ! could
remember. She was wOndrousIy
beautiful; my pen fails me when /
attempt to describe her, But chief
among her many charms were her
cyes--cllangcablc as an April day,
with look of child-like innocence
and honesty that made you trust her
to the utmost.
was flattered that this lovely girl,
SO rich in physical beauty and this
worlds goods, should plead for the
loan of my lover. And Philip, my
handsome Philip, and better than all,
u man both noble and true--could |
lend him to any one, even to Helen
Egerton9 o
1t was a great sacrifice, but ] made
it, and gave him over into the hands
Of this beautiful and fascinating crea-
ture. Such is the confidence, trust
and affection woman places in those
nearest and dearest to her.
We had only been engaged four
months, Philip and /, and naturally,
although not exacting, felt a little
bit Jealous that he should have yield
ed, almost willingly, l thought, to the
evenings arrangement. Yet, when
he called Oh his way to Helen's house,
dressed in the costume of u noble in
the time of Louis the Sixteenth
when he fingered by me until past
the time that she expected him, tell
ing me that his was an equal sacri-
flee with mine---I could not but be-
lieve him.
He did 80 wish that | had changed
my mind, and was going; that Helen
was very sweet and all that sort OF
thing, but she was not Mabcl-Queen
Nab, as he called me, Then starting
up, exclaiming at the lateness of the
hour, he kissed me good night; and |
Il never loved him as did that
moment, when he parted from me with
expressions of regret on his lips.
/ was poor, but, as Philip said, my
"face was my fortune" was not so
handsome as Helen; she was blonde
and brunette. was very much the
taller, and lacked that piquancy Of
expression and manner which made
her so charming, Still Philip loved
me; | was certain of that, and all the
Helen Egertons in the world would
not be strong enough to lure him from
my side.
The party to which Helen and Phi
lip were going was masquerade. We
had all been invited, but, having just
recovered from a slight illness, it was
deemed best that should not go. So
| was left alone in the little room |
called my library. The drop-light
cast a soft CLEAN over my hook, my
feet rested on the fender, which sur
rounded the open CRATE. Everything
seemed calculated to make me happy.
But the book of poems, Philips gift
to me on my birthday, slipped through
my fingers as a thought came into
my mind, and springing up, | left the
apartment aud fastened to my room.
had been mOtherless for q long
while. and my father, u man of stu
dious habits, allowed me perfect lib
erty, provided / did not interfere with
his enjoyment. Sol had no one to con-
suit in what | was about to do.
There was Il domino and u mask l
had never worn, which l purshased
before fully decided to stay at home;
these l hastily donned after changing
my house dress for the only evening
one possessed, despatched our SER
want for carriage from the livery
stable close by, aud ensconsing myself
in one corner of the vehicle, began to
picture the surprise Of Helen and Phi
lip when l disclosed myself to them.
| could see Philips eyes light up with
amazement and delight, and | could
hear Helen's cooling voice calling me
"a dear old thing"
In fact, | was so immersed in my
thoughts that reached my destina-
ton before | was aware oft. | reach
ed the dressing room unObserved,
and after handing my wraps to an at
tendant, descended to the drawing
room.
The first person saw unmasked
was an intimate friend of my fathers
"a wealthy batchelor who had been
a suitor for my hand at the same time
with my Philip. So, going up to him
| made myself known and explained
my appearance minus my lover, and
| had no cause to complain of the in-
attention nf my occort