The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1881-08-18

tlful face. The great black eyes fairl
scintillating with suppressed feelin,
were fixed upon the two who moved
such perfect harmony with the must,
A drop of blood was on her scarlet lii
where her little white teeth had restet
One small hand was involuntaril
clenched. Her mouth moved, but n
sound issued from it.
/ stood transfixed, cold shiver run
ming through me. 1t was this fury WHOM
Miss Flo, gentle and unconscious, re
garded as her deares. friend.
Of what stuff might be made he
dearest foe? l remembered then tn
look l had seen these same eyes fix uE
on the jewels. Was she envious of
young ladys fortune? What DANCE
might not threaten her through thi
beautiful pantheress? And yet, HOY
dared an humble servant, utter wor,
of warning?
Even with these thoughts passing il
quick succession through my mind
there was so sudden and instantaneou
q change swept over Miss Revere's ex
preston that / could scarce recall th'
other, except as the result of SOM
hideous conjuring of my own fancy.
Mise. Elo WAS cc-,;agg toward he.
leaning on Mr.. Earle's arm.
returned to my duties with heavy
heart. felt shadow of i'll was pend
ing over us, yet almost forgot it mex
day, when my young lady's formal en-
gagement to Mr.. Earle was announced
So loved and protected, what possible
harm could come to her, even through
a womans malice?
All, my unspoken question remained
not long unanswered 1t had been al
too natural for these too young hearts
to flow toward each other, obeying the
life impulse of both. They had loved
each other as children; they knew each
other as though the bond of brotherhood
and sisterhood united them; their
memories circled around the same
spot, were haunted by the same OBJ
jects.
It was the natual sequence, which all
had anticipated. Therefore, save Mr..
Earle was with us more constantly than
of old, and that there was a new flush
on Miss Flo's cheek, softer, a tender
er light in her blue eyes, it was hard to
realize any change. But one was pend
less difficult of realization. The lovers
had constant companion in the per-
son Of my young lady's friend. At
first Mr.. Earle seemed to dislike her;
but Miss Flo's sweet influence and his
own courtesy led him first to conceal
this, and later to overcome it.
Miss Flos sweet influence and his
own courtesy, l have said; but there
was more potent reason still in Miss
Revere's marvellous fascination. There
was not one in the whole household it
save myself, and even had to
pull myself up many times with a
sharp turn lest |, too, should be blinded
by its glamour. But it was not my old
eyes with which she had to deal.
Miss Flo, all trusting and unsuspici-
ous, threw the two she loved constantly
:ogether.
"You must like each other for my
,ake," she would say.
Is danger ever so threatening as when
i falls on those who dream not 1t is near?
The sorceress had the young master
lightly in her coil ere he dreamed that
sven a silken thread had enfettered
him. He struggled then to be free. The
Eull horror of it all overwhelmed him;
he grew pale and haggard-eyed.
But tighter and tighter she drew the
bonds, and, like bird fascinated by
The serpent, step by step he approached
the magic influence Of her sway.
Sometimes she would fash q sudden
bewilderins smile into his eyes; some
times she would assume a pensive
coyness; sometimes a strange thrill of
grief would seem to sway
her.
One of her most wonderful attrac-
tions was her voice. Even in speaking,
one seemed to listen to low music, but
in singing it ranged the gamut Of hui
man emotion.
One evening-it was in the twilight
Miss Flo and Mr.. Earle were sitting
together, on the broad piazza outside
the long French windows leading into
the drawing.room, when Just within,
from the MUSHROOM beyond, arose
the words Of an imprisoned song.
From the dining-room across the
hall, / could hear the measure, in its
wonderful melody, and knew that she
who sang it was singing to but one,
who could not be deaf to the appeal
the v,Orf10 cnuyn,nI
Higher and higher rose the exquisite
voice, trembling with its weight oil
passion; and he for whose ear alone il
was intended, sat without, q girls fail
hand clasped in his--a girls fair head
resting on his shoulder girls ligh,
heart filled with his image.
Did Miss Aline know that he would
come in obedience TO her call? Was j,
. mere accident which summoned Miss
Flo from his side?
However that might be, when lef,
alone, with slow, reluctant movement
he rose, and, passing through the oper
window, walked with uncertain steps
to the room beyond. The singer sans
on.
Did she see that figure standing still
and silent just beyond the threshold
Perhaps the evening shadows hid him
- her voice suddenly died away in {
choking sob, and her head bent for
ward on the keys.
Instantly he was BY her side. In
stantly he had raised her head to hi
breast, with his strong faithless arm