The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1881-04-05
iCLARIBEL.
BY crRALpIyrl lrLEHIso.

I
ofviJlet velvet, as she stood before
the long mirror in her luxurious dress,
ing.room-Claribel Arlington. sole
heiress 10 the rich banker whose name
was powerfin the commercial world.
How hanghty she was in her i'm
perial beauty; for She was a queen in
society, aud proud men and lovely
women looked upon her with admir-
ing eyes. N
She stood before the mirror and
gazed long at the beautifuliace re-
iected therein. A smile stirred her
Hull, red lips. 4
"How glad am," she whispered
ltimidly TO herself, that Fam pretty
glad for his sake-dear Richard"
She glanced around the room, hale
frightened at her own temerity, for
Richard Winthrop was her lover;.the
engagement had but Just become real
Iity, and she was coy and shy as lit
tic bird in the presence Of the love
which had just been born within her
heart.
| A maiden's first Lowell 1t is as pure
as the newly falling flake, spot
less i,s the lily. matchless as the fair
ldawn Of q Summers morning.
A rap at the door of her room
aroused Claribei from her sweet mus
| ings. NJ Z ~
Blushing, and confused at her own
dreaming, she answered the,sulhmons.
] "a servant stood without, bearing
| in her hands an exquisite bouquet OF
rare blossoms. r, s.n, t,str
"From Mr.. Winthrop, Miss Clari-
bel, !" said the girl; and with her deli
cate cheeks outrivaling her roses,
Claribel received the bouquet,
'He waits in the drawing ROOM"
continued the servant, ''and the car
riagc is at the door" - 2 = !, .-, -.,l-,
"yery we'll. Nanette," answered
the young girl, Il will be down di-
4 rectly." ss q g
She caught costly and elegant
wrap from the velvet chair where il
Hay, took from the marble toilet-table
her fan and gloves, aud still carrying
the bouquet which had just arrived,
she descended the wide staircase and
. stood in the presence Of her lover.
Ii A tall broad-shouldered man, with
face which betokened frmness, and
that subtle attribute which one can
never exactly define. which makes one
instinctiyely trust the face that wears
it. = :. =. -. w
He caughther white hands in his
own, and gazed into the beautiful.
downcast face g n
"My darlingl' he murmurcd fond
|ly. .sl
She raised her eyes; they were like
,Ipurple7 hearted violets. lEi s'st !
II "Richard," she said softly, II have
! been thinking, il some sorrow should
come between us, and dark clouds
should overshadow my life, would you
lovelme as you dolnowg Would you
stand at my side and guide me through
the darkness, and help me bear my
burden?"de hns gIivedo
He smiled gravely,
Little one," he said earnestly, al
make no protestations. Only wait uu-
til sorrow and darkness come, and
prove my love for you}'''
leGod grant us. happiness!" she fall
tered, tears shining in her lovely eyes.
DBut over the sunniest sky the clouds
gather sometimes, Richard.'Da
He stopped and kissed her.
"Come. come!" he cried gaily
< "Not tears. surely and the carriage
0 waiting outside to take us to tn,
8 opera! Ready, little one?' ali
He drew her wrap about her should
ers, and they descended the marble
steps to where the carriage stood. y
A gaunt form clad in tattered gar
.rlments--a woman--crouching besid,
the steps, as though in waiting, aros
5, as they appeared. She strobe forwar,
:, and confronted tho two. 81
|, young lady!" she cried imperative
Wy. II have a word to say to Yon.