The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-01-03

won't you loan me your Philip, onl'
for Tonight" and a pair of bright laugh
ing eyes looked pleadingly into mine
"He is so handsome, SO full Of iun-il
fact, ever SO much nicer than any one
know; and am certain you would not b,
at all afraid Of poor little me-"
looked up quickly. was not OF I
suspicious nature, but there seemed to b,
something unpleasant in the clear, sof
tones OF the girls voice, but the homes
eyes gazed straight into mine, and re
preached myself severely for my unkind
ly thoughts.
Helen Egerton was my mos intimate
friend. She was the only aud petteG
daughter OF a wealthy merchant. and al
she had been travelling during the pas
year, had only known Philip since m,
engagement to him. She was year my
junior, but We had been playmates evel
since l could remember. She was wond
rously beautiful; my pen fails me when
attempt to describe her. But chief among
her many charms were her eyes changes
BILE as an April day with look OF child.
like innocence and honesty, that made
you trust herto the utmost.
Twas fattered that this lovely girl, SO
rich In phs steal beauty and this worlds
goods, should plead for the loan Of my
lover. And Philip, my handsome Philip,
and better than all, man both noble and
true could lend him 10 any one, even
10 Helen Egerton?
1t was great sacrifice, but l made It
and gave him over into the hands OF this
beautiful and fascinating creature. Such
is the cenRding trust and affection wo-
man places In those nearest and dearest
to her.
We had only been engaged foar months,
Philip and /, and naturally, although not
exactipg, | felt little bit jealous that he
should have yielded, almost willingly, l
thought, to the evenings arrangement.
Yet, when he called on his way to Helen's
house, dressed in the costume Of noble
in the time OF Louis Sixteenth las hand
some and royal as any prince when be
fingered by me until past the time that
she expected him, telling me his was an
equal sacrifice with mine-I could not
but believe him.
He did SO wish had changed my mind,
and was going; that Helen was very sweet,
and all that sort OF thing, but she was not
Mabel-Qneen Nab, as he called me.
Then starting up, exclaiming at the late.
ness OF the hour, he kissed me good night;
and IL never loved him as did at that
moment, when he parted from me with
expressions OF regret still upon his lips.
was poor, but, as Philip said, "my face
fas M a ~ dor
as Helen; she was blonde and brunette;
was very much the taller, and lacked
that piquancy OF expression and manner
which made her socharming. Still Philip
loved mel was certain OF that, and all
the Helen Egertons in the world would
not be strong enough to turn him from my
side.
The party to which Helen aud Philip
were going was masquerade. We had
been all invited, but havingjus recovered
from 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 soft CLEAN over my
book, my feet rested on the fender, which
surrounded the open gfate. Everything
seemed calculated 10 make me happy. But
the book Of poems, Philips gift to me on
my birthday, slipped through my fingers
as thought passed through my mind, and
springing up, lett the apartment and
hastened to my room.
had been motherless for long time,
and my father, man OF studious habits,
allowed me perfect liberty, provided did
not interfere with his enjoyment. So |
had no one TO consult in what was about
to do.
There was domino and mask which l
had never worn-had.purchased before
had fully decided to stay at home; these |
hastily donned after changing my house
dress for the only evening one possessed,
despatched our servant for carriage from
the livery stable close by, and ensconcing
myself in one corner Of the vehicle, began
to picture to my mind the surprise oil
Helen and Philip when / disclosed myself
to them. ] COULD see Philips eyes light
up with amazement and delight, and l
could hear Heleu's cooling voice call me a
.'dear old thing"
In fact, Iwasso immersed In my thoughts
that reached my destination before was
aware OF 1t. reached the dressing-room
unobserved, and after handing my wraps
to an attendant, descended to the drawing
room.
The first person saw unmasked was an
intimate friend OF my iathcr'a-a wealthy
bachelor, who. had been sutton for my
hand at the same time with my Philip,
So, going up to him, 1 made myself known
and explained my appearance minus my
lover, and | had no cause to complain oil
Che inattention OF my escort.
Isought eagerly among the dancers. !
knew Helen's dress was to be that oil
Folly, and although there were many cos
tunes like her and PhQip'a ] could moi
be mistaken in the two Iigures Which were
making their way toward the conservatory
pointed them out TO my companion, and
after an unavoidable detention Of hal
hour we followed IN their wake. We
passed along through the forest Of tiowert
and vines, until we reached secluded
nook, and hearing the sound oil PHILIPPE
voice, | stopped and looked in, my lips
parted In smile, my heart beating rapidly
with pleasure, and saw the objects OF m!
search.
Their masks were lying at their feet
and Helen was looking In Philips lace
her child.like eyes illuminated with al
unususl light. And he-his face wa
flushed with emotion, his hands claspinl
those little white ones, and his yoic,
sounded deep and impassioned in Its earn
estness. Suddenly he leaned forward ant
kissed her.
Without cry l staggered back: th'
light reeled before my eyes, the odor 9
the flowers made me sick; / tore tue masl
IRON my paid face, and begged my frien'
TO take me to my carriage. He compiled
with my request, though he did not otie
to accompany me home, aud, stunned q
Ii was, I could not but appreciate tn
dellcacy he displayed. But on reachin
my door, the gentle hand Of this, my frien,
indeed, assisted me into the house; H
had mounted the box beside the drive
unknown to me. 1,
family, as he seated me In my library, th
little room with It's dimly burning !igh
and fireless hearth, so suggestive OF m