Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-08-26
THE EVENING STAR.
OLD PETERS STORY.

VA0 xGxL1S O4V0 II
All was excitement in the great house on the
NIL. ior so Chalmers Hall was known for miles
around. had not served the family. boy and
man, Tor thirty years, without sharing It to q
certain degree not incompatible with my buffers
dgnity, and all evidence Of which stroye sed-
ulOusly to conceal.
the return ofthe young lady ofthe house-the only
daughter and sole heiress of all these broad
acres-from the finishing school, in Paris to
| make her formal debut In society
| me suite OF rooms assigned her had been
thoroughly renovated and refurnished in a
| manner widely different from the solid English
comfort which prevailed elsewhere throughout
the house; but to look through them was like
sudden glimpse into the nest of some humming-
bird which had impaired all its brilliancy to its
belongings.
Only few days before the expected arrival
had come letter, begging permission to bring
with her her dearest friend-a young lady
whose father was an East Indian officer and
whose return had Unexpectedly been postponed
couple Of months.
OF course the petted daughters wish was law;
and though the fond father reading aloud the
letter preferring this request at the breakfast
table, exchanged q glance of disappointment
with his wife that so soon the privacy of their
little circle must be disturbed, formal invita-
ton to Miss Aline Revere to the hospitalities
OF Chalmers Hall was dispatched that very day.
Shall never forget the night of Miss Chalmers
return. Her CHEEKY How do you do Peter9''
thrilled my Old bones as did the touch of the little
mana sne kindly offered me, in memory perhaps
OF my long service and the many rides up and
down the broad hall she had had on my shoulder.
screaming the while with glee
she lifted about all the evening like a bee
rom hover to flower, and it was as though a
Dnrst OF sudden sunshine had iumined the
whole house. She was fair. sweet English
girl; but, as all were seated about the dinner
taDie. could not but acknowledge that the palm
OF beauty must be awarded to her friend. had
never seen more exquisite face. 1t fairly
haunted me: it held i'm it the fire of the tropjcs the
ice OF the Arctic. the light of the heavens. the
shadow OF the night-each expression in contra
dictlon to the other, each tending to produce
harmonious warfare.
did not think this all out myself. but some
one long after in describing Miss ReveFe's face
thus worded it, and knew then it had made
clear the enigma my old brain had so long tried
70 solve. l would even then have been enviOus,
lor MISS Chalmers sake but that she seemed so
1ond, SO devoted to her friend that her very
gladnesS was an unconscious rebuke To me
1t was not long before the house was filled with
Suests-iadies and ladies' maids. gentlemen and
theif Wallets, coming and going, filing the place
with galety and excitement. Then came the
announcement OF grand ball. with invitations
evening it was to take place actually arrived.
and could feel the hustle of anticipation was
at an end.
On her way down to the drawing-room. Miss
Flo peeped in to see the tables, ard thought
for that once We might compare her to Miss
Alne She was dressed in white. her arms and
neck bare, but giittering with precious stones
Some of the family jewels her father had had
reset, and presented to her that very morning
at the breakfast table was not likely to for
get the circumstance, for the old feeling of half
dislike with which had at first regarded Miss
Anne swept over me as l fanced an envious
glitter sparkled in the black ewes. as they
rested on the white, glittering gems
VIII do, Peter" asked my young mistress,
sweeping me mock courtesy, as she had done
when tiny girl: and half believe instead Of
answering her, l brushed away a tear.
The ball was grand success. and the sun had
risen ere the sound of the wheels of the last
carriage filled with departing guests had died
away.
There had been many made welcome that
night, but none, well knew. received a warmer
one than young Mr.. Earle who had returned
nome from years absence in foreign countries
only twenty-fOur hours before
caught glimpse OF him once as he was
dancing with Miss Flo. Even in that fleeting
moment saw how tenderly his strong arm
clasped her. how proudly his handsome eyes
looked down upon her. how flushed with hap
plness was her own fair face half hidden on his
broad shoulder and my heart gave glad, ex-
ulfant leap that SO joyous future was assured
her.
well knew what was the unexpressed
iamily wish, for young Mr. Earle's estates ad-
joined our own They were unfettered, unen-
cambered, and in every way splendid patri-
mOny.
had turned away from this feeting glimpse
among the great folks, my old brain filled with
Its idle dreams of the future, when my ewes
cilanced to fall upon one who, like myself. was
engrOssed in the animated scene beyond u.s. 1t
was Miss FlOs friend. but oh, how changed!
mask hap hoo,. ;f.,l foco
The great black eyes, fairly scintillating with
suppressed feeling, were fixed upon those two
who moved in such perfect harmony to the
music. A drop of blood was on her scarlet Lip.
s where her lutte white teeth had rested. One
small hand was involuntarily clenched. Her
mouth moved, but no sound issued from it.
stood transfxed, strange, cold shiver RIM
ming through me. 1t was this fury whom Miss
Flo, gentle and unconscious, regarded as her
dearest friend.
Of what stuff might be made her dearest foe?
remembered then the look had seen these
same eyes fix upon the Jewels. Was she enyious
OF my young lady 8 fortune? What danger might
not threaten her through this beautiful pam
thefess! And yet how dared l, an humble serv-
ant, utter a word of warning?
Even with these thoughts passing in ouick
succession through my mind, there was so sud-
den and instantaneous a change swept over Miss
Revere's expression that 1 could scarce recall
the other, except as the result of some hideOus
conJurlng OF my own fancy.
Miss Flo was coming toward her, leaning on
Mr.. Earle's arm.
returned to my duties with q heavy heart. I
felt shadow Of i'll was pending over us. vet
almost forgot it next day, when my young ladys
formal engagement to Mr.. Earle was announced.
So loved and protected, what possible harm
could come to her, even through q womans
All, my unspoken question remained not long
unanswered! 1t had been all too natural for
tnese two young hearts to flow towards each
0ther. obeying the life impulse of both They
had loved each other as children; they knew each
OH n as though the bond of brotherhood and
slsterhood united them; their memories circled
round the same spot, were haunted by the same
objects.
1t was the natural sequence which all had an
uclpated. Therefore, save that Mr.. Earle was
with US even more constantly than of old. and
that there was new flush on Miss FlO's cheek.
a softer, tenderer light in her blue eyes, it was
hard to realize any change But one was i'm
pending less difficult of realization The lovers
had constant companion in the person of nv
young ladys friend. At first Mr. Earle seemed
to dislike her; but Miss Flos sweet influence
and his own courtesy led him first to conceal
THIS and later to overcome it.
Miss FlO'S sweet influence and his own court
esy, have said. but there was q more potent
reason still in Miss Reyere's marvellous faseina-