The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1880-01-10

sion of my escort.
l sought eagerly among the dan
GERS. l knew IIolcn's dress wns t.
be that of Folly, and although
there wore many costumes like hoI
and Philips, l could not be mis-
taken in the two figures whicl
woro making their way toward thu
conservatory. I pointed them out
to my companion, and after m TN
awidsblo detention of q half houI
wo followed in their wake. w
passed along through tho forest o
flowers and vines, until wo reached
q secluded nook, and hearing thu
sound of Philips voice, 1 stopped
and looked in, my lips parted in
smile, my heart beating rapidly
with pleasure, and saw tho objects
Of my search.
s;STheir masks were lying ut their
fcot, and Helen was looking in
Philips face her child.liko eyes il
Illuminated with all unusual light.
And he-his taco was flushed with
emotion, his hands cLasping those
littls white ones, and his voice
sounded deep and impassionod in
its carncstness. Suddenly hs
I,nnol forward md kissed her.
Without a cry l staggered back ;
the light reoled before my oyea, the
odor Of the flowers made nc sick
1 tore the mask from my pallid
face, and begged my friend to tako
mo to my carriage. lie complied
with my request, though ho dilnot
offer to accompany me home, and,
stunned us I was, | could not but
appreciate the delicacy no dis
played. But on reaching my door,
the gentle hand of this, my friend
indeed, assisted mo into tho house.
Iia had mounted the box bosiClo tho
driver unknown to me.
"Blcss YOU for your Kindness" I
said family, rs he seated me inmy
library, the little room with its
dimly burning light and tirelcss
hoarth, so suggostivs Of my feel
ings. Il cannot thank you
enough - and | gavo my cold hand
to hi, strong, friendly grasp.
Il require no thanks, Miss Ma
BEL" he said graycly. "If you need
Inc, 10 not hesitats to call upon
mo-" And bidding me goodnight.
he left.
Hour after hour passed unhced-
cd. When the clock again chimod
out tho hour, my stunned senses
caught the sound for the first TIME
since midnight. | counted tho
strokes in Il listless manner. Six
was it possible? I raised my
eyes to the glass opposite mo and
shrnnk from tho 0pparition which
met my gaze. A white haggard
face; eyes unnaturally brilliant,
with dark circles around their lids.
Could that DO tho Mabel Stuart,
who but n fow short hours since.
had looked in that selt-sams mir
ror with Il face rosy with tho light
of love?
l threw myself upon q couch
and tried to cry--no tears would
come, but tho thoughts crowded
upon my brain till l feared l
should 60 mad. Presently I be-
came obliyious of everything, and
fell into q heavy, dreamless sleep.
I was aroused suddenly by \
l,isB; and starting up, bshold Hell
en- EgertOn bending over mo
With cry l pushed her from
INC.
"Why arc you here, I do
manGed"
II? What Is tho matter, Mabel?"
and the fearful, innocent eye
sought mine with their honest
terrified glance.
pressed my hand to my head,
Could DO mistaken? WNs it all
a horrid dream? l looked up
quickly, and caught M czultAnt
gIeam in the clear orbs. With y
mighty effort I controlled myself
"Sit down." l said, calmly.
She took tho scat | motioned
her to, IL littlo paler than usual,
and her eyes ftll US they met mine
bent upon her.
"lEelcn," l began firmly, from
this timo forth we are strangers
ShO Bprsng up and cane toward
me.
"You Nro m admirable actress"
| eaid, snogringly,- "You would
make your fortune on tho Stage"
Sho opened her lips to speAE.
"ltushw I exclaimed iiercoly,
"and listen to Inc. You werO my
friend; l would almost have died
TO spare you pain; lIOaven only
knows what I would have done for
you"
"Aud l." she said, coming to-
ward me again-"am not your
fricnd?"
"l'ou may spare yourself any
unnecessary inlachoods." l said in
a hard voice. Il was at the
masquerade last night"
The color fled from her face lenv-
ing it almost as white as my own.
"Porl,aps you will tell mo-" |
4