Middletown transcript., 1881-09-02

WOludll.
She was a gracious, warm-hearted
girl. but she had freaks and whims,
that used to think might vanish be-
meath the sweet, strong magic of a
great love. And she was capable of a
great love-ny Viva.
The night Of the party came, at last,
much to my relief F.; for l had an idea
that it would be fraught with events !;
and the last few days had worn on me,
as, well as on Viva. She had actually
grown thin and pale, and was feverishly
brilliant and sad, by turns.
At nine O'Clock, my deft Fanchon
put the last touches to my toilette :;
and l went down, feeling, peacefully,
that black satin and point were just
the things for plain woman like my
self opals, and diamonds, and tea
roses, are happy aids to woman, on
her middle-aged road to content.
The rooms were banked with flowers ;
fountains FLASHED, and music flOated
from unseen musicians and, as l
looked around, with the complacency
of hostess who feels that there is
nothing left to be done, Viva swept
toward me.
A creature born of perfume, and light,
and color Her dress was a marvel of
Partisan art, and combined her colors,
in way that Percy would have styled
delicious.
Pearly velvet, like a silver cloud ;
rare Iaces sweeping around her elegant
form: diamond star in her cloudy
hair, another at her throat and, in the
delicate, pearl-kidded hand, clusters of
vivid scarlet blossoms, and a knot of
them pinned on one shoulder. She was
perfectly coloress but her lips were
red and sweet, and her eyes brilliant.
She was absolutely faultless.
John,'' she said, 81 am awfully
nervous, tonight l shall see ghosts
I know | shall. y
" Indeed, you will not, F" | returned.
4" shall give orders to Parker, to adj
nit no supernatural guests, without
cards of admission. You silly girl,
you have been too dissipated these last
weeks, and this is the reaction. 1
saw her shiver, and bright flame
crept into her cheeks. "Come with
me, ma chere, and rest a little, y 1 said,
drawing her into my own little, rose
and-gold boudoir, that opened off the
library, and into the conservatory.
The lights were turned low, in the
rose-tinted globes, and tiny, perfumed
fountain FLASHED family, in its lily
bordered basin.
g Sit here, dear, until the guests ar
rive. Let us pray they will be an hour
yet, - said.
L insisted upon her lying down,
among the cushions of a divan, and
softly smoothed the tired brow, until
the poor child actually fell asleep.
How lovely she was The color had
faded from her face again and the
long, dusky lashes lay against the vel
vet cheek. The lips were red, and
peaceful as child's, and she slumbered,
with all the soft abandon of a child,
worn out with play, at days close.
A movement of the velvet hangings
attracted me, and looked up, to en-
counter Norman Thorson's eyes. Iput
my finger on my lips, and he smiled,
family, taking one step forward to
look at the lovely picture. Some mag
netic influence disturbed her, and he
stepped back into the conservatory.
Dear Viva, whispered, "wake
up hear the carriages, and you have
slept more than half-an-hour. y
She arose direetly. "I wish it was
tomorrow morning. she said, wearily.
But she had never been more brilliant
than on that night. Society went
madder than ever over her. She was
a flame that they could not touch a
snow-blossom, that froze them mist,
that faded before their eyes. She was
everything-beautiful, dazzling, and
unattainable.
1 did not see Norman Thorson again,
until supper time. He apologized, in
his graceful way, for being found in
the forbidden rooms of a sleeping
beauty's palace. F."
"Percy insisted upon my coming
with him, y he said, 6 at that hour, as
he had some treasures in his rooms he
wished to exhibit to me; and he will
have no more time, as I go home, to-
morrow" And, not pausing at my
gesture of surprise, he continued, hur-
riedly: "Percy said he knew l should
find you in the conservatory, and mis-
took the door. Is Miss Vergne ill ?''
"Only tired with winter of gaiety,"
1 replied "and grown restless and
sad, as girls will, who have moods.
remember Viva when she had no
moods but one of serene sweetness. "
g All, yes Was she not wonderful,
then ?'' he said, eagerly.
Did he hold the keys of her change
What changed her ?'' | asked,
carelessly, playing with my fan, and
looking at it as interestedly as if had
never seen it before. do you know,
Herr Professor ?''
"Ah, no Madame; she changed in
an hour. would give ten years of my
life to know why
With what passion he spoke And
yet his voice was calm and low.
The soft rustic of a woman's dress,
near me, made me lift my eyes.
"Joan, DEAR said Viva, coming
up, Il have promised Colonel Rob
inson that you viii show him your