Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-10-13

she would ever be very consciontiously
perplexed
"with the burden of an honor.
Unto which she was not born"
"But our romance is no summer
dream, darling" protested Norbert
Saunders, earnestly. lyon arc to be
my wife, you know, and before we are
married / should like you to thoroughly
understand my social and financial
rank"
81 will listen to no prosy explana-
tions," she persisted, pressing her pretty
hands over her ears. "I love you and
will be dutiful wife, trying always to
make you happy and our home pleasant.
Is not that sufficient :"
Claudia spoke with sincerity. For
love was producing one of those beauti-
ful and mysterious psychological phe-
nomena that occasionally redeem the
most faulty souls.
els not that sufficient, Hcrbert?" she
iterated, with a smile, that the man who
loved her thought superlatively artlesg.
Certainly it ought to be So" he al
lowed, half doubtfully, and unpleas-
antly conscious OF an inleiinable sense
OF dissaiisfa tion. "But still think il
best and wisest for any lady to know
thoroughly the prosy and practical part
of life Of tho man 20 whose keeping che
consigns her freedom and happiness
But the williul girl would not listen.
In her vain egotism she imagined that
she already know as much, or more,
than he could possibly tell her.
That night they met at n garden
party-a rather recherche affair with an
afternoon of croquet and tennis and an
evening OF dancing and banqueting
under a round, opaline moon, among
magnificent old trees of oak and elm.
In the midst Of the ieBtivity. while
Claudia was for a moment alone in a
cool, arborcous nook Enthusiastically IL
lumed by the paly red light Of gorge
ous paper lantern swinging from an
arch OF thick ivy, she saw Agnes Roth
say approaching.
Miss Rothsay wore simple and ex-
quisite costume OF darkest, richest
violet silk, with sprays Of snowy, odor-
ous eglantine in her hair and corsage.
She looked very happy as she stopped
beside her pretty cousin.
"Claudia, dear. will you congratulate
me p she whispered, bashfully. q am
betrothed- really afiianced TO the bar
onet. One day while you were rowing
after lilies, the pastors wife brought
my Jack for formal call. lie was
foolish enough to honor me with his
admiration, and he sent all those lovely
flowers you wondered at 80 much. But
/ was never quite sure he loved me until
to-day. But only little while ago he
met me down there among the willows
and wild roses, aud he told me how
very dear had become 10 him. and he
kissed me, Claudia. and he kissed this
ring before he put it on my finger"
She flung aside a bit of delicate lace
drapery and presented q graceful hand
upon which Rlittered magnificent ring
of diamonds and gold. "I am very
happy, cousin dear, for / know that my
Jack ia one OF tho noblest of eli men. I
should revere him just the same. IL ho
we're bricklnyer instead OF being a
laronet."
"Your Jack-.he baronet What do
you mean, Agnes !" gssped Claudia.
Miss RothFay for a momen: regarded
her cousin with much peTplexity. But
just then two gentlemen advanced
through the vista OF green branches
hung with grotesque illuminations of
gaudy irridescence.
Hush, dear, Mr.. Esmond is search
ng for me, think. He is coming this
way, and Hubert Saunders -his private
secretary you know, is with him."
Claudia Thorne stood motionless and
She could not utter one
word. not even when Agnes and the
baronet had gone. leaving her alone
with the lover who regarded her with
loving gaze.
Possibly he comprchended all, but IL
he did, his affection was too loyal to be
by the fault Of the handsome
girl who he knew loved him.
"Why are you so white and mute, my
daFlingY' he inquired, tenderly.
" would you be more fond OF me, dear.
do you think, IL I happened to have
wealth and titleT
All that was womanly and redceming
in her ambitious and subtle nature con-
luered the sharp pang of her disap-