The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1881-11-18
BLOOMSBURG PA. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER Is, 1881

! lioNu Nl''j dDNolbIuS pdNNIOH Niltcu car
ried everything before it, The crafty
! Mrs. Warburton soon discovered that
thcrc was no engagement existing be
tween Miss Morcton aud Mr. Penryth,
and racked her brain for some method of
Disseminating the young man, and turn.
lug his love for Lily into aversion and
dislike
While Harry Penryth related the
story Of his friend and his tragic death.
Mrs. Warburon's face had grown very
white wild, haunted look stole into
her eyes, and the little hand, which held
q sprig of the obnoxious rose geranium
was icy cold and trembled.
She threw the flower away.
I'm so sorry offended you with my
geranium,' she said, humbiy, 'it is no
| Iayoritu of mine
II was deliberate falsehood, but no
matter. "Thc end justifcs the means -
at least she thought so.
As soon rs she was alone in her own
chamber she paced the floor like Gagged
tigrcss.
My God" she painted, brcathlessly,
"What would he say--how he would
scsrn me, if he knew that | am Ethel
/ Dclormc, the woman who Tilted Gerald
Brooks. But he never shall know. love
him! | love him And shall win
him if die for it." She fell into a pro
found reverie. Al at once her dark
face lighted strangely, II have il!
she exclaimed. II believe ! can see my
way"
That night Mrs. Warburton stood be
fore the mirror in her room arraved for
the hop which was to take pla,e below
stairs. She was regal in cream satin
and lace, with white roses in her mag
niliccnt black hair. She moved slowly
toward n window where a pot of rose
geranium was sitting and STOPPING over
it, broke off mass of scarlet bloom.
Then humming softly to herself, she left
the room, crossed the wide corridor and
tapped at door.
''Come in T. cried sweet voice, and
Mrs. Warburton turned the knob and
entered Lily Moretons room.
"Ilow lovely you are ~ she cried rap
turously, a jealous pang at her heart,
meanwhile, as her eyes fell on the slcu-
der figure in white lace and pearls.
But oh. Lily, my love - she added
with gush of apparent sincerity, "why
do you wear pearls See have brought
you some of my fayorite flowers
raised them myself. cannot wear them
with this gorgeous costume red and
yellow would be too gorgeous for me
and do think this dash of scarlet with
your lovely white face would be too
pretty for anything. Will you wear
them, ma chere ~
The young girl looked pleased. She
WAS a sweet, tender-hearted little thing,
incapable of deceit, and therefore, un-
suspecting.
"lou are very kind, Mrs Warburton,
she replied "indecd ! will wear them.
So the willy widow fastened the red
blossoms in I.ily's golden hair and at her
throat and waist as conspicuously as pos.
sible then, her work accomplished, she
fitted away.
When Lily descended to the grand
salon below she was joined at once by
Harry Penryth, who offered her his arm
for a promenade. A pair of flashing
black eyes followed the two as they
moved slowly through the rooms, and a
pair of rosy lips curlcd with a strange
smile as she saw Harry Penryth gaze
iiXedly at his companion, and turn pale
to the very lips. The subtle instinct
which SO strangely affected the young
man, was slowly but sure entering his
heart.
After time Mrs, Warburton observed
Mr. Penryth making his way through
the crowd to her side. lie locked pale
and troubled.
Come out and walk, Mrs. Warbur-
ton, will you not ~ he said, offering her
his arm. With a triumphant look in
her eyes, she arose. and they strolled
out into the moonlight.
Where is Miss Moreton o. queried
the widow, archly.
81 do not know" he replied, a trihe
coldly. "Lct us sit here" he added
pointing to rustic seat.
1t was lovely night His compan
ion was beautiful and fascinating
Heaven only knows of what foolishnes,
Harry mightnot have been guilty, but jus
then voice fell on their ears from the
shrubbery near.
"Ah, Dupont :" cried a mans voice
and a Whit of cigar smoke foatcd by
''why didn't you tell me the Delorme
was here ?'
''Delorme y returned his companion
II don't know of whom you are speak
ing
The first speaker laughed lightly.
"Go on remember the woman who iltei
Brookes, don't you ? Poor Gerald hC
was a noble fellow Well she after
ward married old Warburton, the mil
lionairc, and worried him into the grave
within year. She's fascinating wild
ow, and the young men (who do no
know herr flock round her like moths il
a candle !! | hear Penryth is the las
victim ~
Indeed ?" laughed the other, anC
the two passed on
Harry Pcnryth turned on his com
panion face Of marble whiteness
"What does this meant he gasped. ".\n
swer ne; are you Delorme -
She laughed rccklesSly.
- ~ i'l ~ l'l'NN iiS iOiN'CL uIi'l
ban p she asked, "juSt because MAJ
whom | never could love, was foolisl
enough to care for me ? Mr. Penryth,
was not to blame, listen"
"lIush !" he said, scrnly. Don't at
tempt any palliaticn Shall | take yor
back to the house, Mrs, Warburton ?"
And Ethel Warburton knew that i
was all over the game was PLAYED, th
die thrown and lost
Alone on the moonlight veranda lii
Moreton sat, pale and sad Harry PEI
ryth came to her side and bent tcndcr
over her
"Ljly," he whispered, "whcrc did 80
get those gcraniuns|
She started Slightly and blushed