The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-08-04

forming and disolving tableaux that filed
the saloon, and presented to the eye liy-
ing kaleidoscope.
Alone" he said, pausing before the
warm hearted. even tempered girl.
One cannot be alone here, she replied,
with sweet smile Graduating her counte-
anance. What fairy scene it is,n she
dded, as her eyes wandered from the face
of Clinton ana again fell upon the brilliant
groups around them.
Have you danced this evening"" asked
Clinton.
In one set" answered Lizzy.
care you engaged for the next in which
you may feel disposed to take the
hoor?'
mo, sir.
Then ! MAJ claim You for my partner?''
II 1t IS your pleasure to do So" replied
In cotillon formed soon afterwards in
that part OF the room, were Margaret Hubert
and her sweet friend, Lizzy Edgar. Mar
garet has warmer color on her cheeks than
usual, and her dignity lowered into an air
OF haughtiaess, all of which Clinton
observed. It's effect was to make his heart
cold toward her, instead of awakening an
| ardent desire to win proud and distant
| beauty.
In vain did Margaret look for the young
man to press forward the moment the cotil-
ion Dissolved, and claim her for the next.
He fingered by the side of Miss Edgar,
more charmed with her than he had ever
been, until some one else came and claimed
the hand of Miss Hubert. The dissap-
pointed and unhappy girl now .unbent her
self from the cold dignity that had marked
her bearing since her entrance inta The
ball room, and sought to win him to her
side by the flashing brilliancy of her man
ners; but her efforts were unavailing.
Clinton had felt the sweeter, purer, strong
er attractions of one free from all artifoe;
and when he left her side, he had no wish
to pass to that of one whose GOODNESS had
repealed, AMI whose haughtiness had in
| suited him.
On the next day, when Lizzy called on
her friend, she found her in very unhap-
by state of mind. As to the ball and the
people who attended. she was exceedingly
captious in all her remarks. When Clinton
was mentioned, she spoke of him with
sheer. Lizzy hardly knew how to take
her. Why the young man should be so
often i've, she was at loss to imagine,
and shonestly came to the conclusion that
she had been mistaken in her previous
superstition that Margaret really felt an
interest in him
few evenings only elapsed before Gin
ton called upon Miss Edgar, and from that
time visited her regularly. An offer Of
marriage was the final result. This offer
Lizzy accepted.
The five or six months that elapsed from
the time Clinton became particular in his
attentions to Miss Edgar, until he formally
declared himself lover, passed with Mar
garet Hubert in one long continued and
wild struggle with her feelings. Conscious,
because conviction had come too late, she
wrestled vigorously, but in vain, with pas
sion that, but for her own folly, would have
met a free and full return. Lizzy spoke to
her of Clinton's marked attentions, but did
not know how, like heavy and painful
strokes, every word she uttered, fell upon
her heart. She saw that Margaret was far
from being happy, and often tenderly urged
her to tell the cause. but little dreamed Of
the real stature Of her sufferings.
AT last Lizzy told her, with glowing
cheek, that Clinton had owned his love for
her, and claimed her hand in marriage
For some moments after this communica-
ton was made, Margaret could make no re-
ply. Her heart trembled family in her
bosom and almost ceased to beat; but she
rallied herself, and concealed what she
felt under warm congratulations. Lizzy
was deceived, though in her friends man
ner there was something that she could not
fully comprehend. -.
You must be my bridesmaid" said the
happy girl a month or two afterward.
why not choose some one else?" asked
Margaret
Because I love you better than any
friend have" replied Lizzy, putting an
arm around the neck of Margaret and kiss
ing g.A her. =,
unexpressed thought of Margaret-while
something like shuddsr went over her.
But the eyes Of her friend did not penetrate
the sad secret of her heart
Come, dear, say yes. Why do you hes
ltate? would hardly believe myself mar
rled IT you were not by my side when the
nsptial pledge was given"
1T shall be as you WISH" replied Mar
garet.
Perhaps you misunderstood me-" said
Lizzie, playfully; Il was not speaking of
my funeral, but of my wedding"
Inns sportlye sally gave Margaret an op-
portunity to recover herself, which she did
promptly; and never once, from that time
until the wedding day of her friend arrived
dld she by look or word betray " hat was in
her heart.
Intense was the struggle that went on in
1ue mlnd OF margaret Hubert. But 1t was
OF no avail; SIZE loved Clinton with wild
intensity that was only the more fervid from
its hopelessness. But pride and a deter
mined will concealed what neither can de-
stroy.
At last the wedding night of Lizzie Ed
gar arrived, and large company assembled
to witness the holy rite, that was 20 be per-
formed, and to celebrate the occasion with
appropriate festivities. Margaret, when the
morning of that day broke coldly and lrear-
lily upon her, felt so sad at heart that she
wept, and, weeping, wished that she could
die. There had been full time for retiec-
ton since, by her own acts, she had re-
pulsed one in whom her heart felt deep
interest, and repulsed him with such i'm
prudent force that he never returned to her
again. Suffering had chastened her spirit
although it could not still the throbbinR
pain. As the time approached when she
must stand beside her friend and listen to
the vows of perpetual love that she would
have given all the world, were it in her
possession, to hear as her own, she felt that
she was about entering upon trial for
which her strength could be little more
than adequate.
! But there was no retreat now. The or