Middletown transcript., 1881-09-02

was quite transparent.
Professor Thorson is going home
tomorrow, Vivia," l said, as care
lessly as 1 could "did you know p
How is one ever to learn how girl
will act ? Without a word, or look,
she dropped forward among the lilies,
one hand trailing heavily in the water.
I lifted her up, without word, and
dashed the cool water in her face. In
a moment she looked up, with haggard,
lovely eyes but she did not speak.
"Vivia," 1 said, ~ insist upon your
unraveling this mystery. l shall not
wait another moment. | have been
patient long enough p
She let her head fall on my shoulder,
wearil1
You have been loyal friend, dear
1 will tell you. met Norman Thorson
in Europe. l need not dwell on the
story of our acquaintance but, after
few months, we were betrothed. That
night-how can ever forget it ? We
were at Paris, our whole party, and we
had fingered till sunset, in the parlOr
that was sacred to us two and, some
way, all the rest had strayed away
some to their rooms, and some to the
balconies and we were alone" She
paused moment. He asked me to
be his wife, and l said 'yes'-I loved
him so dearly" with faint sigh. The
color was creeping back into her cheeks,
quivering, flaming. Because she spoke
so simply, knew how deeply she felt,
my poor Viva.
. went away, at last, to my room.
1 was so happy, 1 could not go down
to them all. could only sit perfectly
still, and think of the great happiness
that had come to me. Norman said he
would be in the parlor at ten-all the
rest would be at the opera then; so |
went down. Joan, do you know how
you can remember every little thing,
at a time like that !? l had on gray
dress, with bunch of cardinal flowers,
that Norman had gathered for me in
the afternoon, in my belt. l went
downstairs, and along the great, dim
hall, to the little parlor, and opened
the door noiselessly. Norman Thorson
was there, with the most beautiful
woman 1 had ever seen. A woman
with violet eyes, and golden hair. A
woman dressed in deep morning. His
arms were about her, and her face was
uplifted to his.
She stopped, with such a look of
utter misery in her dear face, that
was inexpressibly touched and shocked.
Don't say another word, dear;
was cruel to ask you," [ said.
But she smiled, family.
''I am glad to tell you, Joan; 1 saw
Norman Thorson kiss her once, twice,
on her beautiful lips. 1 heard him
say: My Liebling, l thought I should
never see you again. And you have
so, little Gretchen and I was
not there to comfort you.' And she
What could 1 do, but fly
to you? Your love is all 1 have to
comfort me And she put her fair
arms up about his throat, and then
,rept out of the room, stunned and
wretched and the next day, before
lawn, uncle and 1 were miles away.
81 folded up Norman Thorson's
,ing-a strange, antique ring, that
would delight Halbert's heart, Joan,
md gave it in charge of a servant, for
lim. That is all. L thought 1 would
forget, after lite but it was stronger
han my strength. How dare he come
here - with sudden passion. = Why
loes he leave his Hilda, to trouble us ?"
g Hilda ?'' exclaimed, with start
IF blank astoniShment and understand
ing. "Why, Viva, it must have been
Norman Thorson's sister. Did you not
know her name was Hilda ?''
She stood up, blindly, and put out
her hands; but before 1 could speak
again, there was rustic near us, and
Percy and Professor Thorson came
toward us, with an exquisitely beautiful
A tall, graceful woman,
dressed in white, from head to foot,
with diamonds glittering in the SHIN
mer of white satin and frosty lace
with smiling, violet eyes, and wonder
full golden hair.
1 went forward, saying, my dear
baroness, I am so charmed to welcome
you"
This was Percy's secret and mine
his love for the young, widowed sister
Of his dearest friend /; her recent, un-
expected arrival in the city; and our
of which Viva had
known nothing.
Before 1 could present Viva to her,
Norman Thorson drew her gently to
where Viva stood, with the dusk
tremulous color in her cheeks, and the
eager passion and storm in her eyes.
Miss Viva, will you not welcome
my sister to your sunshiny land 9''
She put one hand out, uncertainty
all her bright color fading, and again
fell forward, fainting, this time, en-
tirely away-my strong, self-sustained
Viva!
Professor Thomson caught her, how
ever, giving me look of passionate
pleading.
"She has not been well for days."
said, turning to the sister, who stood
pale and frightened; and Percy, who
ooked stupid, as men always do, in
such cases.
Take the baroness into the music
room, Percy, and we will follow you as
soon as Viva RECEIVERS. This is moth