The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1880-04-23

to admire a half-blown rose, whose
parent stem was twining lovingly around
pillar of the yeranda, directly in front
of the parlor windows. Harry did not
see her. for he sat with his back toward
the window. but Eva did, and was in
an agony lest she should come into the
room. So she asked, in tone too low
for Lena's ear:
'.How did you like Lena Hanly's man.
ner last night? Don't you think her a
shameless firt ?"
The Lena alluded to was mutual ac-
quaintanee.
..Well, to tell the truth, " he answered,
s'I do not admire Miss Lena's style at
all. I despise firt, and she is de-
cidedly one!''
Poor Lena! she recognized the voice,
and thought she was alluded to, so, like
flash, turned and fed to her room.
Eva was happy. The end she had
worked for so long was gained at last;
she knew that Harry would not ask after
Lena again, and, if he should, she would
see him; and she felt pretty certain
| thot she could catch his heart in the re-
bound.
Matters were at this pass, when Mrs.
Arlington gave grand ball-the grand
est of the season. Harry sent out the
invitations, and, of course, one to Lena.
But, as fate would have it, Eva received
them both, and resolved to destroy
Lena's. Not that she was afraid she
would go; she knew she would not; but
she also knew that Lena would take the
omission as great slight, and SO widen
the gulf between them. She had only
time to slip it into her work-box as Lena
+ ca1Oa into tho rom
And Lena? No one likes to be
sighted, and be sure she was no excep-
tion to the general rule; and, consider
ing the source from which the slight
came, it nearly, broke her heart But
she bore it bravely, giving no sign of the
pain, and even assisting Eva to dress
for the conquest of Harry's heart, she
had no doubt. Eva did not forget to tell
her, in burst of cousinly confidence,
that she thought-nay. was sure-that
he would ask her to marry him that
night, and Lena, seeing no other reason
for his frequent calls and attentions,
which were greatly magnified by Eva's
telling, believed it.
Left alone, Lena busted herself with
some task which Eva had set her; but
her thoughts wander to the gay ball
room and Harry. All amid the whirl
and glitter would he think once of her
No, his thoughts were all for Eva.
Perhaps he was even now bending over
her in that tender, loving manner she so
well knew. But, after all-and her
cheeks blazed at the thought-he had
been deceiving her; seeking only to win
her love to cast it aside He had
succeeded only too we'll. But the retro
speet was trying, and, burying her face
in the sofa, she gave vent to her long
pant-up anguish in bitter tears.
elena, darling p was murmured by a
dear, familiar voice.
She looked up, gave low cry, and
was in Harry's arms. For one brief,
never-to-be- forgotten moment, she lay
passive; then he murmured, re-
proachfully:
s'Why have you avoided me so of late,
Lena?''
She remembered all-remembered all
her fancied wrongs and sights, and
sprang from him.
"How dare you?" she painted, pale
with conflicting emotions. "Why are
you here ?"
ssParden me, Miss Rivers; I forgot
myself at sight of your distress. I will
explain my seemingly untimely call
briefly, since my presence seems to be SO
unwelcome I asked your uncle why
you had not honored lis with your
presence, when he answered that you
could hardly be expected to do SO with
ovt invitation. Now, Lena, I sent q card
to you, with those for the rest of the
family, and I cannot imagine why you
did not get it. Who received the cards
from the servant?"
"Eva, I believe" she answered. qui-
city;
ingly. 81 cannot think that John lost
it, for questioned him closely, and he
was positive that he left four there.
excuse me minute" said Lena;
and, leaving the room, she went directly
to Eva's, for she had suddenly remem-
bered her cousins strange manner after
she had received the cards, and, knowing
her nature so we'll, suspected she had
something to do with the matter in hand.
Going to her work box she opened a
drawer, and there the card lay.
Lena took it down to Harry, and told
her story.
ST had hardly thought that of your
cousin, he said gravely. 1sBut, oh! you
can't know how glad I am that you found
it, for now you know that did not
slight you. But you, Lena" taking her
her hands in his, "why have you avoided
me of late? In what way have offended
you ?"
Then she remembered his cruel words
and drew her hands away coldly.
II never received any intimation that
you wished to see me and if ] had, it's
not likely that I'd care to see one who
does not admire my style, and despises
me as heartless firt p she answered
haughtily, turning to leave the room.
"Wait, Lena-Miss Rivers You shall
explain yourself!" I" he exclaimed vehe-
mently, placing himself between her and
the door.
| Something in his manner caused her
to obey, and she explained the circum-
stances as we know them. AS she ended,
he laughed, but stopped suddenly, for
the tears began to fall anew, and taking
her hands, again he said
ssWe were not talking about you at all,
but Lena Hanly, as you would have
known if you had heard all the converse
tion. Did not Eva explain ?"
ST never said anything to her about
it,"
'sBut why did you not come to the par
lor when Eva vold you that I wished to
see you %
.She did not tell me-" she answered,
surprised. 81 did not know that you
were in the house at all till went out