The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1880-12-10


Edith, in her gown OF pale blue, cleaning
through soft lace. looks equally beautiful,
though in less imperial style.
The irrepressible Dick filings open the
door as silken rustic il heard outside and
announces ..Qucen Eleanor.'' She steps
I'm. more rsdiantly beautiful than usual,
clad In shimmering white silk and cloudy
lace, looped here and there with exquisite
bunches of freshly culled crimson and yell
low roses, her ornaments q magnificent
colIarrrte, aud bracelets OF rubies and
diamonds.
.'Oh, Nell. .lerling. you snrpass your
| self tonight " exclaimed the two girls.
"a thing OF beauty Is n joy forever, ,"
adds saucy Dick.
You're exeeedingly polite,
Ano think it only right
To return the compliment,
She sings gayiy, making him low obeis-
ance.
s.You want boqaer Of roses to flush
yolI. "'says Maud.
"And, by love. here It is,n exclaims
Dick. rs a servant enters with bOquet
addressed to Miss Tempest. composed OF
roses similar to those on her dress. fresl,
and dewy as u gathered OH a fine June
morn.
Nell receives them with blllsl, which
sleepens as she catches glance Of intelli-
gence In Dicks blue eyes. while Edith
observes astuteiy
Il thought the thistle was the Scottish
badge, not the roSe.''
AS they enter the ballroom. which is
hung with fia2s and bright with costly
exetics. the Misses Amnesty are as usual.
Immediately surrounded hy a throng of
applicants. civil and military. eager to
iii their cards with iIlegible hleroglypllIcs.
Mand is claimed by Sir Arthur. while Cap
tain Drummond carries of Nell in triumph
having taken care some days previously to
secure several dances with her.
'.HOw radiant you lOok tonight 80 he
murmmrs. as they float round to the haunt
ing rhythm of the ''DreamlanGi Valse. -
''Yes; feel as IL must enjoy myself
to-niPht. Do you know that feeling whe,.
one IS very happy. as IL something dread
ftil were going To happen think 1t
must he to keep us from going mad with
perfec: happiness. ~
Don't let such feelings spoil this even
such fancies.''
Child. iadeesl."-a merry laugh cllas-
ing away her momeniary depression.
''IIo you know I shall be IS next month?
You know mutual confession is good for
the soul. '.Nine-and-twenty." he groaus
in a tragic tone-..fast approaching forty.
Thank Hcavon. I shall never be fat and
fair as well!''
No; Ro one can accuse you oE being fair
to see. can picture you lean and
wrinkled. with a viliainons temper"
Inlay you never come In for share of
it. Ia revenge for the insults now endure
with lamb-like submission:''
my temper may be worse than yours;
so shall still have the best of it,
As the last sighing norcs OF the valae die
away they saunfer off sIo.g one of the
inviting corridors. and enscohce themsel-
YES In n nook screened from the ipquisifive
gaze of s.i:aperons by lovely bsaka Of flow
ers- When her next partner finds her
after long search, Mel ard the Captain
are sitting ostentatiously apart. Nell with
dlrooping eyes and rosy blush. while Mats |
Is decorated with n tiny yellow |
rosebud which shortly before had rested in |
her dainty bodice.
The hnurse fly. Nell's little feet have |
glided unhaggingiv through most of the
r0nnd dances. and she Ia resting In her |
favorite haunt, while her partner, sIs-
ceptible young lieutenant. Is gone to fetch |
her an Ice, when some words uttered by a /
passer.hy causes her to listen With strained
eyes, and blancted cheeks. On her part
ner's rrfar... l'e Is struck by the sudden
alteration in her looks.
..Are yon III, Miss Tempest 2 You look
frozen.'
mo thank you; ana all right'-with
= bitter little laIsgh and = Heree pain at
her heart.
She remembers with a pang that her
next dance is with Captain prsmmond.
md a wild longing sweeps over her to
escape before lie anda her. But he is al
-eady In sight. glow OF happiness light
ng up his dark face, and she calls up all
ler pride to meet illm with her usual man.
Ter.
.Will you dance this. ~ are ron tiredP"
,e asks, with lovingly searching look.
Not In the least, thank you.'s; aud they
eturn to the ballroom.
After few rounds Captain Drurnmond
insisted upon taking her back 20 the con-
ervatoEy. tor he Is sure. from her pale
nee and distrait manner that she Is more
ired than she viii allow. a. she sinks
gearily into the low chair, lse can no
onger repress the burning words which
ash 20 his lips. watching the effect OF
lls passionate. loving appeal, he sees no
emotion in her faee-osisy 4
siIiing scorn.
s.TIow dare yau speak thus 10 n,e?''
ONES at last from her asllen lips.
..EEow dare 7 Have not [ shown my
ave ia yoa In every word and act for the
ast unoutllf Surely you have not led me
n with your false begniIirg sweetness
My 70 make 4 fool of nles'