The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-11-10

wear at Mrs. st. Roses. Whatever j
might be. she was sure Maud Merton,
would be prettier. She was very fash
enable, and Gerald had an eye fol
dainty costumes.
No sign of Gerald that evening, MOI
all the next long, bright day, though tho
st. Rose carriage had gone by, Geralt
driving with his beautiful cousin.
Miss Merton was beautiful! Trixy saw
that she was a charming brunette, will
a cherry-red mouth and curling blacl
lashes. She was talking to Gerald Will
most delightful animation, and he was
listening with an enjoyable smile.
1t she had been crying again, when
she came down dressed for the party.
cologne and dash of pearl powder had
concealed all results about the pretty
eyelids.
She wore white, and knots of cherry
blossoms, and looked gentle and sweet
enough for nun or a bride. Gerald Hill
ton thought, when he saw her.
He bowed pleasantly. He had Maud
on his arm; he seemed devoted to her,
Beatrice thought.
ttHe finds her kinder than |, and she
is far, far prettierr' she murmured.
/ She felt as if she were choking; but
| she must not be baby there She
forced herself to chat, and sing, and eat
ices keeping for the most part with
BERTHE. though he was strangely pre-oc-
cupied. and spilled cream and blunder-
| ed over ladies' dresses in the most I'M
usual way.
Beatrice asked him to take her into
the garden at last. and he did So Part
was illuminated with Chinese lanterns,
and part in lovely moonlight shadow;
Ir,4 Al.
and music, made Beatrice want to cry
worse than before-that strangely, lone
ly pain at her heart was so very hard to
bear.
BERTHE threw himself down on the seat
of little rose-covered arbor. with a
long sigh, which Beatrice observed and
asked him if his boots hurt him. He re-
piled gravely that they did not, although
they were very tight fit.
You had better run in and sing that
duet with Mrs. St. Rose, which you de-
clined to do awhile ago, while | smoke
a cigar he said. ''rll be here when
you come back"
Perhaps she hadn't been wise to de-
cline; it wouldn't do to NOPE there.
anyway, Trix knew; she certainly should
be crying-the music of the band. hid
den among the acacias was so sad; so, |
never suspecting that BERTHE wanted to |
be rid of her, she turned away and fit |
ted back to the drawing-room. Again |
Mrs. S. Rose urged her to sing with her. |
and this time she consented. But the |
words blurred and the lights dazzled. |
for Gerald, with Maud upon his arm,
went out as she came in.
After the song she fiirted desper-
ately with Harold St. Rose for TWEEN
ty minutes, and then slipped away
to rejoin BERTHE. She ran down the
steps, turned round clump of shrub
berry, and there, in the shadow of a tree.
stood a pair of lovers She could only
see the outline of the gentleman's form
in the gloom, but of course it was Ger
aid, for the glow of a Chinese lantern
struck Maud Merton's face while it was
lifted tenderIy to his, as, bending, he
kissed those beautiful lips, and Trixy
paused. breathleSs, as she saw ring Slip
ped on that snowy hand.
With sob, she turned and fled noise
lessly as a zephyr. She reached the rose
to the fragrant gloom, and flung herself
upon the half-recumbent figure on the
rustic seat.
''Oh. dear BERTHE, take me home!
want to go! l cannot stay here! Gerald
s engaged to his cousin, and it's all nv
ault. refused HIM. / didn' dare tell
7ou. But, oh, I'm SO miserable, You
ion't need to scold me, BERTHE AS
Don as he had gone, l knew | loved
lim- He's so brave and good How
'ould help it? 1 was silly; but [ am
Unhappy enough now. Oh, BERTHE.
axe me home! My heart will breakr'
The arms which had closed so quickly
bout her drew her closer. In all his
fe BERTHE had never failed to be so
ender when she repented of her follies
Don't scold me, will you, dear Ber-
el I'm punished enough. / love him
,, and have lost himi
Are you sure, little grip g
1t was not Berries voice. Trixy
aught quick breath as that strange.
ct familiar voice went on:
Are You sure you love me Trixy.
airing? Because l hold you so dear
annot be trified with again"
''Gerald?''
Yes"
II was all in the darkr' stammer-
| Trixy, trying to free herself
But the gentle arms held her yet more
rmly.
$50 am [. unless you will say once
ore those precious words. Say, 4 love
~, Gerald'r'
1t was very dark, else Trixy blushing
the roots of her golden hair, could
'yer have said them. But very sincere
unded the sweet voice.
Il love you, Geraldf'
my darling! my darlingr'
There was no doubt or mistrust to
axe his voice cold now, and Trixy