Claiborne guardian. [volume] (Homer, La.) 1877-188?, 1880-01-21

chased before | fully decided to stay
at home; these | hastily donned
after changing my house dress for
the only evening one | possessed,
despatched our servant for u car.
riage from the livery stable close
by, and, rhscOnsing myself in one
corner OF the vehicle, began TO pic.
ture the surprise Of Helen and
Phillip when !! disclosed myself to
them. could see Phillips eyes
light up with amaZeme aud de-
light. and | could hear Helen's ct,0.
ing voice call int ~ dear old thing"
In fact, WAS So immersed in my
thoughts that | reached my destin.
alton before | was avian, OF it. i
reached the dressing room unob.
served. and after handing my wraps
to an attendant, descended to the
drawing. room.
The first person saw unmasked
was an intimate friend Of my faith
er's-a wealthy bachelor who had
been a suffer for my hand at the
same time with my Phillip. So,
going up to him, made myself
known, and explained my appear.
ance minus my lover, and l had no
cause TO complain OF the inatteD.
ton of my escort.
sought eagerly among the dan.
GERS. | knew Helen's dress was to
he that of Folly, aud although
there were many costumes like hers
aud Phillips, | could not be mis-
taken in the two figures which were
making their way toward the con
servatory. | pointed them out to
my companion, and after an I'M
avoidable detention, of a half hour
we followed 10 their wake. We
passed along through the forrest Of
flowers and vines until we reached
n secluded nook, and hearing the
sound Of Phillips voice, stopped
and looked in, my lips parted in a
smile, my heart beating rapidly
with pleasure. and saw the objects
of my search.
Their masks were " ing unheeded
at their feet, and Helen WAS looking
in Phillips face. her chiidlike eyes
illumined, with an unusual light.
And he-his face was flushed with
emotion, his hands clasping those
little white ones, and his voice
sounded deep and impassioned in
it's earnes,ncss. Suddenly he lean.
ell torw ard and kissed her.
Without a cry staggered back;
the light rerled before my eyes, the
Wlor of the flowers made me sick;
| tore the mask from, my pallid face,
and begged my friend 10 take me
to my carriage. He complied with
my request. though he did not offer
to accompany mr home, and, stunn.
ell rs | WAS, ! could not but appre
ciate the delicacA he displayed.
But on reaching my door, the gen
/ tie hand of this, my TREND indeed,
assisted me into the house. He
had mounted the box beside the
driver unknown to me.
"BleSs You for your Kindness |
|
! library, the iiiilr room with its dim
!, burning light and tireless hearth,
so suggestive oi my feeling. 81
cannot thank ion enough" and |
gave my cold hand to his strong,
friendly grasp.
IL require no thanks, Miss Ma.
bel" ht said, grIrely. elf yOn
need me ,lo MOI hesitate TO call up
on me- And bidding me good
night, he left.
Hour after hour passed unheed.
ed. When the clock again chimed
out the hour. my stunned senses
caught the sound for the first time
since midnight. counted the
strokes in listless manner. Six
WAS il possiblei raised my eyes
to the glass opposite me and shrank
from the apparitiOn which met my
gaze. A white, haggard face; eyes
unnaturally brilliant, with dark cir.
cles around their lids. Could that
be Mabel Stuart, who, but few
short hours since. had looked in
that selfsame mirror with a face
rosy with the light of lovei
threw myself upon a couch and
tried to cry-IO tears would come,
but the thoughts crowded my brain
till | feared | should 90 mad. Pres
emily [ became Oblivious of every
thing, and Tell into heavy, dream
less sleep.
was aroused suddenly by kiss;
and starting M, b.hrld Helen Eyer.