The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1881-07-15

mar VIII know how My dear one,it lies
with you TO do the rest
"IIow7 drcarily.
"Wcll, of course YOU know they nj
ludcd to Miss Kcnts bal masquc on the
eighth Go as Parthcnia yourself"
II l'
"Yes VIII you let me arrange with
the costumerl shall have that dress
sent Co you--another to her
The girl started as if she had been
shot
NO, she cried passionately-''n0 !
Listen TO condolences not intended for my
ear! II would be mean, dshonorablc, un-
derhand. No
"lanthe, you have a mistaken idea of
honor You may save Elsie's happiness
as well as your own. DO not misiudge
her. She is good little thing, and
thinks he loves her only. Did she know
Of the double game he is playing am
sure she would scorn him, rs 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, il l am mistaken,
will beg your pardon, and his, and give
you to him with all my heart; but love
my child too dearly to risk her young
life's wreck. VIII you be Parthcnia?"
"IcS.
AT the door, Mrs. Burnham paused
and looked back, with eyes growing sus-
piciously moist and great throb of com
passion at her heart. For in the centre
of the room, with bowed head and ncr-
vously claspcd hands, Ianthc Howard
stood, pitifully, childlike figure, despite
her heavy ruby-vclyet drapories-a girl
standing alone under the shivering, tot
tcring ruins of her love castle
Are the costumes ordered last week
finished ?"
"Gcs, madam"
The proprctrcss hastily left less pro
iitable customers to attend Mrs. Burn
ham.
"As | have the carriage and will be
passing Miss Gaudets, shall drop hers
there, if it will he u convenience to
you.
Madam was too kind. They were
rushed with work. They would be very
grateful
So madam's liycricd coachman lifted
the two long brown paper boxes into the
carriage and rolled it away. 1t was quite
dark when itdrcw up at the Sutherlands
door.
Just ring and hand this in, John.
Make haste-it is late"
She pushed box toward him. lie
obeyed her Then he climbed to hisseat
she gave the order, 'IIome,' and the
carriage drove off.
Mrs. Burnham laughed little sadly
to herself, and patted the box which
held the pretty Parhenia dress.
Elsie will think it mistake How else
could I convince her? Besides, alls fan
in love and war.
Parthenia stood alone in the recess o
a window and watched the motley crow(
surging through Mrs. Kents lofty
rooms.
Iapless Marie Stuart and IIeathe,
Chihec,' Sir Walter Raleigh and Rec
Riding Hood, Richeiou and Little Mel
tloated serenely by.
"Ah, you have come at last !"
Parthena started suddenly at th'
whispered words and turned to contron
Il tail, fur clad 1ngonar
'1lave you no word for me, nec
JeNe?'
"Yes, but not here.
She spoke very low and in French
She took his arm and together the,
passed to II room made familiar to boil
in their social yisits--thc library.
The room was long, silent, dimly lit
AS yet, il was too early for the dancer
to wander off in search of cooler air, =,
they were undisturbcd.
Once there, he turned and faced he
in that mellow half-light which left tn
corners mystically dim.
He took off his mask, and showed
decidedly handsome, decidedly eyi
face.
''My Parthcnia! how beautifully yo
look"
heexpression was sinvoluntary. Beat
tful indeed was the statuesque youn
figure, in that simple, serene, eXquisit
dress, which challenges the many, adorn
the few-the Greek costume.
, The soft white robe fell in graceful
classic folds to her feet the heavy sta
she takes when she gives her lover tn
, flowers held carelessly in one hand; tn
: helmet, the shield, all glittering in th
dim light.
) "Why do you not speak to me Elsi
my love?"
= '''Keep such title for Ianthe How
ard"
, She spoke rapidly, and still in his ow
! tongue, the better to disguise her voic
'Ianthe Howard" he repeated, "wht
is she to me? / told you loved yc
/ two years ago love you still. Elsi
4 darling, be sure of that, and do not thin
= too hard of me when you know what q
+ ayaricious wretch | am. If only yC
e had her fortune. Take off that jealol
a mask. You start All, my love, do n,
2 blame me too much Remember yC
s only hold my heart, if need obliges II
S to take advantage of Miss Howard's foe
t ish infatuation for me and marry her
!, bank account"
"Pray, do not so far inconvenien'
j yourself, Mr., DEstere. That FOOLS
b fancy is dead forever"
e And Ianthe Howard calmly laid dow
t her mask on the ebony centre table.
"Great heaven-Ianthe !"
i, "Yes! Permit me to return the pleds
= of false vow"
And, in her proud, silent way, 81
. drew off a sparkling solitaire and laid
+ quietly down.
G "And permit me to say that you hay
made more than one mistake to-night, ,Jea
+ ID Esterre."
u And from ont of shadowy corn
$ came the bright figure of vivandiere
Il Then one man felt the full misery h
4 disloyalty and deceit had brought hr
+ as Ianthe Howard and Elsie Gaud
passed together from the room, unite