The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1881-07-15
Select Story.
AT TUE BAL MASQUE.

''Don't be rash in this, my dear
don't! What will your friends say
what will the world say-when they
hear that Ian,he Howard is going to
marry her music master? What do we
know of this man! Oh, pause and con
slider, my darling-my darling.
And gentle, motherly Mrs Burnham
Inelt down on the rich carpet, and slipped
her pleading arms round the slender fig
ure before her.
Il have considered, Aunt Helen, the
girl said, coldly. you ask me-what
do we know of Jean D'Esterre And |
answer--we know he is a gentleman.
That is the only knowledge | value. If
you will not consent to our marriage
now, we shall wait for year, and then
| shall be my own mistress. But dear
Aunt Helen" with a sudden softening
in the proud voice, "do be my friend in
this You have been so kind to me all
my life, and now
pleading.
Now am kinder than ever | was,
Aunt Helen kinder, because OF
my great love for you, dear. llarshly
kind, perhaps, in my anxiety for yonr
happiness. A girl, young, handsome
and an hciress, cannot be too careful IN
her choice of friends"
s'But you know love him"
She said the words wistfully, dcprecat.
ingly, lifting her lovely, troubled eyes to
her aunt's face.
Iknow you do not, Ianthe. a girl
less than year out of school-why, you
do not know your own mind Besides
my darling, let me tell you n truth
however, terrible it may sound to you
he does not love you! | must speak
plainly. He is only a contemplate
fortune hunter, who wants your money.
.Aunt Helen
She sprang to her feet like young
tigress glow leaping boldly to the pale
olive of her checks, her eyes ailame.
"My dear, it is true. If the man has
it in his nature to care for any one bu
himself, he loves Elsie Gaudet-Suther
lands niece. Wait till have finished,
as Ianthe lifted her head haughtily tC
speak. ''Ile met her two years ago, il
Paris. She is co-patriot of his
Think moment, Ianthe! You mus
have seen how it was She introduced
him to her relatives as an old ParisiaI
friend-he made the most of his oppor
tunity, lie has good looks and aplausi
BILE manner, through which, aided by tn,
Sutherland's introduction, he secured al
entree to our best houses. lie is giyinI
her lessons as well as you. He love
her; but you are an heiress, and hi
avarice predominates If he canno
win you,he may succeed with her. Oh
my dear one, Try and understand.
For Ianthe Howard stood quite still
and motionless, looking before her witt
blind, unseeing eyes. She lifted on
hand confusedly to her head. All the no
flames faded from her cheek,
IL don't believe il, she said slowly
as if too stunned for anger. Il don't be
lieve it,
My dearest. | have been sudden
Forgive me, her aunt cried, reproach
fully, alarmed at the sight of that whit
wild face.
NO." she said calmly, though he
lips We're pallid and trembling, "if yol
can prove to me that one iota of thi
miserable story is true, will thank you
for my salvation, But lin the same straine,
voice as though she were repeating les
som | don't believe it,
II shall give you one proof-the othe
you shall see for yourself. Yesterday
went to visit at Sutherland's. They wcr
not at home, but the servant said Mis-
Gaudet was practicing in the MUSHROOM
| | went toward it,of course unannounoed
expecting TO find her alone. The door wa
ajar, and as reached it heard Jea
ID DEsteTe's voice, intense, pleading
Tell me how | shall know you?' The
! / heard Elsie Gaudets light laugh, 4
you should meet Pathenia, with whit
rose IN her hand, how can 1 tell who
might beg knocked, and Elsie sIran