The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-07-30


not at home; but the servant said that Miss
Gaudet was praeticihg in the music room.
| went toward It of course unannouhced,
expecting 10 find her alone. The door was
ajar, and as reached it heard Jean D'11s-
terre's voice Intense pleading, Tell me how
l shall know you?' Then / heard Elsie
Gaudet's light laugh, IF you should meet
Parthena, with a white rose in her hand :,
how can | tell who it might be- p Iknock-
ed, and Elsie sprang to answer, but not be-
lore heard him whisper, Love needs not
symbols. Ingomar shall know My dear
one, it lies with you to do the rest"
GLOW ?" .drearily.
"Well, Of course you know they alluded
to Mrs. Kent's bal masque on the Sth. Go
as Parthenia yourself"
ar"
"Yes. Will you let me arrange with the
costumer2 l shall have that dress sent to
You--anothcr to her,"
"No," she cried passiouately -"nol List
en- to condolences not intended for my
ear! 1t would be mean, dshonorable, un-
derhand. No."
"lanthe, you have mistaken idea of
honor. You may save Esies life as well
as your own. Do not misjudge her. She is
good little thing, and thinks he loves her
only. Did she know of the double game
he is playing, l am sure she would scorn
him, as she should. This man asked you to
be his wife. Let him prove himself worthy
to be your husband. You should stop at no
silly society scruples to tear the mask
from that which may bring you misery
and dishonor. My dear, if l am mistaken,
l will beg your pardon and his, and give
you to him with all my heart but love
my child too dearly 10 risk her young lile's
wreck. Will you be Parthenia
eyes"
At the door Mrs. Burnham paused and
looked back, with eyes grown suspoiously
moist and great throb of compassion at
her heart. For, in the centre of the room,
hands, Ianthe Howard stood, a pittifully,
chidlike figure, despite her heavy ruby
velvet draperies-a girl standing alone un-
der the shivering, tottering ruins of first
love castle.
u II
care the costumes ordered last week fin
isbed ?"
eyes, madam"
The proprietress hastily left less profitable
customers to attend Mrs. Burnham.
GAS have the carriage and will be pass
ing Miss Gaudet's, shall drop hers there,
if 1t will be a convenience TO you.'
Madam was loo kind. They were rushed
with work. They would be very grateful.
So madam's liveried coachman lifted the
two long brown paper boxes into the car
riage and it rolled away. 1t was quite dark
when it drew up at the sutherland's door.
"Just ling and hand this in, John. Make
haste-t is late"
SHE pushed box toward him. He obey
ed her. Then he climbed to his seat, she
gave the order "IIome" and the car
riage drove off.
Mrs Burnham laughed, little sadly to
herself, aud patted the box which held the
pretty Parthenia dress.
Elsie will think it mistake. How else
could convince herr Besides, alls fair in
love and war;"
Parthenia stood alone in the recess Of a
window, and watched the motley crowd
surgng through Mrs. Kents lofty rooms.
Hapless Marie Stuart and "Heathen
Chinee," Sir Walter Raleigh and Red Rid
ing Hood, Richelieu and little Nell foated
serenely by.
"Ah, you have come at last |"
Parthenia started suddenly at the whs.
pered words, and turned to confront tall
fur clad Ingomar.
"Have you no word for me, mabelie9"
eyes but not here"
She spoke very low, and in French.
She took his arm, and together they pass
ed to room made familiar to both in theii
social visits-the library.
The room was long, silent, dlmly-lit. A:
yet, it was too early for the dancers to wan,
der off in search OF cooler air, so they wer,
undisturbed.
Once there, he turned and faced her il
that mellow half-light which left the corner
mystically dim.
lie took Off his mask, and showed de
cidedly handsome, decidedly evil face.
"My Parthenia how beautiful you look.
The expression was involuntary. Beau
tiful indeed was the statesque young figure
in that simple, severe, exquisite dress whiel
challenges the many, adorps the few-th,
Greek costume.
The soft white robe fell IN graceful ,class
folds to her feet--the heavy staff she taEe
when she gives her lover the flowers hell
carelessly in one hand-the helmet, th,
shield, all glittering in the dim light
"Why do you not speak to me, Elsie-my
lover"
"Keep such title for Ianthe Howard"
She spoke rapidly, and still in bis owl
tongue, the better to disguise her voice.
"Ianthe Howard" he repeated. "Wha
is she to met l told you loved you TIVE
years ago. l love you still. Elsie, darling
be sure OF that, and do not think too hare
Of me when you know what an avarieou
wretch l am. If you only had her fortune
Take Off that Jealous mask. You startl All
my love, do not blame me too much. Re
member, you only hold my heart, if neec
obliges me to take advantage of Miss How
ards foolish infatuation FOR me, and marry
her-bank account"
"Pray, do not so far inconyenienee your
self, Mr.. D'l.sterre, that foolish fancy is deaC
forever"
And Ianthe Howard calmly laid dow
her mask on the ebony center-table.
I "Great Heaven-Ianthep
"Yesl Permit me to return the pledge o
of false VOW"
II And in her pro,ld silent Vay she drew