Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1881-03-11
.CLARlREL.
~ GBRALDIEE FILMING.


~ GERALDINE FILMING.
How queerly she looked in her robe
of violet velvet, as she stood before the
long mirror in her luxurious dressing
room-Claribel Arlington, sole heiress
of the rich banker whose name was a
power in the commercial world.
How naughty she was in her i'm
perial beauty; for she was a queen in
society, aud proud men and lovely wo
men looked upon her with admirinQ
eyes.
She stood before the mirror aud
gszsd long at the beautiful faces renec
ted therein. A smile stirred her fu II
red lips.
"how glad am" she whispered
timidly to herself, that | AN pretty
glad for his sake--dear Richard !"
She glanced around the room, half
frightened at her own temerity, for
Richard Winthrop was her lover; the
ep engagement had Gust become q reality.
and she was coy and shy asa little
bird in the presence Of the love which
had inst been born within her heart.
A msiden's frat love II Is as pure
IS the newly fallen snow fake, spotless
ss the lily, matchlsss as the fair dawn
OF summers morning.
A rap at the door OF her room aYouaed
Claribel from her sweet musings.
Blnshiug and confused at her own
dreaming, she answered the summons.
A servant stood without, bearing IN
her hands an exquisite bouquet Of rare
bios SONS.
"From Mr.. Winthrop. Miss Claribel,
said the girl; and with her delicate
cheeks outrivaliDg her roses, Claribe
received thu bouquet.
"He awaits ia the drawing-room,'
continued the servant, "and the car
rage is at the door.
Every we'll, Nsnette," answered The
young girl, ~ will be down directly
She caught costly and elegant wral
from the velvet chair where 1t lay
took from the marble tOilet-table hel
fan and glo7es, and still carrying thu
bouquet which had Just arrived, sh'
descended the wide staircase and stoot
in the presence OF her lover.
A tall, broad shouldered man, viii
face which betokensd frmnsss, anc
that subtle attribute which one cal
never exactly define, which makes one
lnstinctively trust the face that wear
it.
He caught her white hands In hi
own, and gsEsd into the beautiful
d0wncast face.
"My Darling" he murmured fondly
She raised her eyes they were like
purpls-heartsd violets.
"Richard," she said softly, 81 have
been thinking if some sorrow should
ooms between us, and dark clouds
should ovsrsh adow my life, would you
love me as you do nOwf Would you
stand OF my side and guide me through
the darkness, and help me bear my
bardenf"
lie smiled gravely.
"Littls ons," he said earnestly, 81
make no protestations. Only wait IN
til sorrow and darkness come, anc
prove my love for you"
"God grant us happinessr she fal-
tered, tears shining in her lovely eyes
"Bu. over the sunniest sky the olOudi
gather some times, Richard"
He stopped and kissed her.
"Come, GOMEZ he cried gaily. "ho
tears surely, and the carriage waiting
outside to take us TO the opera! Ready
little one;
He drew her wrap about her shout
ders, and they descended the marble
steps to where the carriage stood.
Agaunt form clad in tattered gar
ments---a womaD-croaching beside the
steps as though in waiting, arose as
they appeared. She strobe forward
and confronted the two.
"Young LADY," she cried imperative
ly, II have word to say TO you. She
laid one thin hand on the young girls
costly sleeve. Claribsl shuddered and
draw back involuntarily.
"Yes," said the other grizzly, "you
shrink from me, vetyou have no right to
do so, Win you retarn to the houseg
must speak with you alone"
She leaned against the steps, and q
horrible fit OF cough hing c0nvulsed her
slender frame. Claribel tnrned to her
lover.
"Let us go back" she whispered,
and hear what the poor woman has to
say"
.'As you will" he answered. And
30 they turned and led the way back
into the elegant mansion, and into q
bouldoir. Claribsl sank ON satin
couch and motionsd the woman to a
seat. But she shook her head and
stood leaning against the marble man
tel.
81 would not do thi,," the strange
woman faltered, ~ swear to God l
wouldn't but am starving, and going
fast with the consumption; and long
to die in peace, and maybe have kind
hand To close my eyes when am gone"
She turned her sunken eyes upon
the young glrl'sace.
"Claribel" she faltered huskily, ~
expect to break your heart with the
shock, but osnuot leave the world
without telling the truth. ! am your
mOtherl' IH..
With low, moaning cry, Claribel
Arlington sprsng to her feet, her eyes
dilated and wild, her form trembling.