The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-10-04

/ had turned away from this fleeting
glimpse among the great folks, my old
brain filled with the idle dreams of the
future, when my eyes chanced to fall
upon one who, like myself, was engross-
ed in the animated scene beyond us.
1t was Miss Flo's friend, but oh, how
changed
The mask had fallen from her beauti-
full face. The great black eyes, fairly
scintilatlng with suppressed feeling,
were fixed upon the two who moved in
such perfect harmony with the music.
A drop of blood was on her scarlet lip,
where her little white teeth had rested.
One small hand was involuntarily
clenched. Her mouth moved, but no
sound issued from it.
1 stood transfixed, a cold shiver run
ming through me. 1t was this fury
woman whom Miss Flo, gentle and un-
conscious, regarded as her dearest friend.
OF what stuff might be made her dear
est foe 1 remembered then the look /
had seen these same eyes fix upon the
jewels. Was she envious of my young
lady's fortune? What danger might not
threaten from this beautiful panthress
Andyet how dared /, ,an humble servant,
utter a word of warning.
Even with these thoughts passing in
quick succession through my mind,
there was so sudden and instantaneous
change swept over Miss Revere's ex-
preston that 1 could scarce recall the
other, except as the result of some hid
eous conjuring of my own fancy.
Miss Flo was coming toward her, lean
ing on Mr.. Earle's arm.
returned to my duties with heavy
heart. l felt shadow of i'll pending
over us, yet almost forgot it next day,
when my lady's formal engagement to
Mr.. Earle was announced. So loved and
protected, what possible harm could
come to her, even through woman's
malice
All, my unspoken question remained
not long unanswered 1t had been all
too natural for these two young hearts
to flow toward each other, obeying the
life impulse of both. They had loved
each other as children; they knew each
other as though the bond of brotherhood
and sisterhood united them their men,
ories circled around the same spot, were
haunted by the same objects.
1t was the natural sequence, which all
had anticipated. Therefore, save Mr..
Earle was with us more constantly than
as old, and that there was a new flush ON
Miss Flo's cheek, softer, tenderer
light in her blue eyes, it was hard to
realize any change. But one was i'm
pending less difficult of realization. The
lovers had a constant companion in the
person of my young lady's friend. At
first Mr.. Earle seemed to dislike her;
but Miss Flo's sweet influence and his
own courtesy led him first to conceal
this, and later to overcome it.
Miss Flo's sweet influence and his own
courtesy, 1 have said but there was
more potent reason still in Miss Revere's
marvellous fascination. There was not
one in the whole household escaped, save
myself, and even had to pull myselfup
with sharp turn lest 1, too, should be
blinded by its glamour. But it was not
my old eyes with which she had to deal.
Miss Flo, all trusting and unsuspi-
cious, threw the two she loved constant
ly together.
"You must like each other for my
sake" she would say.
Is danger ever so threatening as when
/. 70 4. - a.
near 7 The sorceress had the young
master tightly in her coil before he
dreamed that even slken thread fet-
tered him. He struggled then to be free.
The full horror of it all overwhelmed
him. He grew pale and haggard.
But tighter and tighter she drew the
bonds, and, like bird fascinated by the
serpent, step by step he approached the
magic influence of her sway.
Sometimes she would flash sudden,
bewildering smile into her eyes some-
times she would assume a pensive coy
ness; sometimes strange thrill of pas
sionate grief would seem to sway her.
One of the most wonderful attractions
was her voice. Even speaking one seem
ed to listen to low music, but in singing
it ranged the gamut of human emotion.
One evening-it was in the twilight
Miss Flo and Mr.. Earle were sitting to-
gether on the broad piazza outside the
long French windows leading into the
drawing room, when just within from
the music room beyond, arose the words