The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1880-12-23

whole scene was! The gay, bright sa-
loon beyond, the Aubusson tapestry
under foot there, with the wreaths of
pale roses and ribbons on its pale sun
set-green ground, the rosy satin and
the lace draperies stretching over the
windows, whose light was shut out for
the soft CLEAN of the wax tapers swing
ing in their china cups and golden
chains, the paintings and statues, the
wonderful chinas and crystals, and the
flowers-the whole room itself like
gay vignette on porcelain, and this
scarlet-clad beauty just outside. Then,
too, the conservatory in the vista,
place of little less than fairy splendor
in its lamps and palms and oranges
and blossoms; and the magniicence of
the dining-room, with its carved
and curtained wainscot, its shining
side-boards, and its table heavy with
gold and silver, with all rare viands,
and with clusters of wine-glasses, the
colors of the flowers themselves. There
of q decanter from a servant, and her
who had perhaps already had too much.
Here came a parcel of gold-laced Off
GERS, flushed and gay and handsome.
What did she mean by urging that old
port on that half-tipsy boy among them.
while the others laughed and jestedf
Harold was not ordinarily troubled
with scruples; but this seemed to him
to pass the limits of q Jest, and he ex-
perienced o sense of relief as he saw a
lady approach in the shadow of the cur
tain, and, placing her hand on his arm,
lead the boy away. Gowned in gleam-
ing white satin, her shining shape
crossed that scarlet blaze like the pass
ing of a moonbeam, and, knowing who
it was, and thinking she might have
trouble, Harold followed; but it was
only to find Nina alone in the gray par
lor, the boy having laughed her cup OF
bouillon to scorn and left her out OF
hand.
Isn't it too badp' she said, with
laugh that was half sigh, after all.
He asked me if was a temperance
lecturer, and called this delicious bouill-
on 'slops.' Will you have it?''
"Where have you been all dayP" he
said. setting down the cup.
''Oh! am on duty on this side. We
are all stationed by plan of battle; but
most of my battalion have deserted to
the other rooms. Isn't this lovely one?
1t almost units a person for quiet life
at home, these gay nights and days. 1t
would, at least, if one were quite at rest
in it."
1t was lovely room. 1t tempted all
Harold's love of ease and luxury. The
gray velvet on the floor, draping the
walls, covering the cushioned divans,
wearing a frosty bloom under the silver
and ivories, and spars, the one white
winged marble, it seemed somehow as
if Nina herself had taken shape from
looked through the cleaning arches
that led from room to room, and saw
the scarlet-clad snd golden-crowned
beauty standing there, with the ruby
glass suspended in her hand as she Of
fered it to some new guest, and
strange shudder stole over him. Un-
Just as it might be, for that single mo-
ment the one of the two girls was like
a picture of the incarnation of sin and
the other of innocence. He remem-
bered the icy morning, a few weeks
ago. when he had seen Nina in
her swansdown mantle holding up
sheaf of wheat against the blue
sky and a hundred belated birds
hovering round it, with whir-
ring wings and chirruping cries.
and he turned and looked at Nina
with a piercing gaze again, before
which her soft eyes fell. till the bushes
streamed up to meet the lashes; and as
he gazed the knowledge came slowly
swelling up in Harold's heart and soul
that, whatever attraction dark and
glowing beauty and luxurious surround
ings had had for his senses, it had
been for his senses alone, and that
the love of his life had suddenly
sprung full grown end winged for an
eternal f1ight-so eternal that now, in
the first moment of its recognition, he
could no more tell if it had ever had
beginning than if it would ever have an
end. So white, so fair, so sweet. so
pure--was it possible that he had been
blind to it all for. yearsp So white, so
fair. so sweet, so pure-was it possible
that he could win her? Would she take
the poor remnant he had to give-his
jeunesse epuisee? For one brief mo-
ment HarolG Hartley felt pangs of pun
ishment that seemed to have lasted for
years, and he felt like sad old man as
he still gazeG at her. But he was not
one to be long daunted, either by his
own unworthiness or by the cruelty of
fate. In a heartbeat or two he was
himself again, and he plunged in, aware
that, even if she would have none of
him now, it gave him the vantage
ground of her compassion for the
future.
"I am glad" he said, "that you are
not at rest in this life. 1t is different
life that wish you to share. Nina, is
it impossible" And then little hand
stole into his, and he led her away into
the palm-shadows of the conservatory
"Ah! what fool have beenr' he was
saving. exultantly, as he bent over her.
"Why did never know that l loved
you beforep"
81 always felt you did," she was
murmuring in reply. - always knew
you would-if not here. then hereafter.
For never remember the time when I
did not love your
"And this New Years Day." he said.
sis the gateway of a new life for both
of us. All! with Gods help, what a
life, my darlingr'-Ha,riet Prescott
Spo6ord, in N. Y. Independent.
Honesty the Best Policy.