Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-04-06
lower of goodly proportions, with this


thought il all over again, harder than
ever before. As result OF these re-
Elections he determined TO go to the
ball by himself, in tho character of
spectator. If Maynard was one of Mrs.
Kenfs party he would observe them.
AT least Eva was no Airt; that he knew.
Could il be that he war unjust to her,
that he might be mistaken? Blissful
thought if that could by any possibil-
ity be true.
He went early to the ball and from n
quiet lurking.place watched the mr.
rivals. At last they came, Mr.. Kent
with his wife, Eva escorted by an old
bachelor cousin who was considered an
almost fatal bore by most people. In
the crowd no could only see the top OF
Eya's small head, but she was not
accompanied by the odious Maynard,
that was sure. Here WAS the odious May
nard arriving all by himself. with q se-
rene air and lily in his coat Egerton
could have wept in the sense OF relief
Still he waited, he had gone through too
many phases of suffering to regain his
equilibrium lightly. He passed a quiet
hour in his corner before Bummoning
courage to approach Eva. AT last he
advanced, skillfully concealing his
trepidation-at least no thought 20
under mask of indifference. She was
surrounded by admirers and had never
looked more lovely to poor Phil's eyes.
lie saw that her dress was OF some
dusky, rich substance, and that the ar
raL cement Of her hair was unlike other
peoples hair, which gave her, he
thought, distinguished and peculiar
graca. In reality her gown was olive
green velvet, rich white lace at tho neck
and sleeves, tho only relief to its somber
color. Her red-Pold hair was dressed
high, and on the top Of her head
yeritable sunhowcr apparently reposed
on its edge in full.blown magnifcence
like star, or rather sun. How the
thing was fastened only she and her
hair.dresscr knew, but there it was
among the brighter rings and curls that
shoue tho brighter from contrast with
It's dinFy yellow and brown.
Miss Wilmarth was small and dainty
in figure, she had large blue eyes and
charming complexion, her childish
lilies and roses were as we'll set off By
her grave dress "a her curls and daiut..
noss by the cumbrous head ornament;
she vas a fairy, dryad, beautiful
maslnerading child. II was highly
probable that sunaowers in the hair
would be DO rigueur tho rest OF tie
season.
Egcrton made his bow and receiy ii
a sweet. conGiing, self.pashotic snilo.
"Good-evening," she said, softly, II
am glad you got back. thought per.
haps yon would. r. not everybody
looking nice to.night7 Yes, my sister
is here; do you not sec her in the
second set? have been dancing;
am little Il red"
To Judge from her manner nothing
had happened. Egerson gaspei and
accepted tho situation.
II found I could come back" ho
said, hypocritically, ''and of courso /
did mr. best, though I am rather late
in finding my way to you. 1t struck
him that he was on dangerous ground
here, and he fastened of it. "How
beautifully you look, dearest" the poor
fellow said, rapturousiy, II never saw
you dressed so perfectly"
Eva's mouth quivered, and the long
lashes fell over her eyes to concealtheir
laughter. When she could trust her
voice she said simply, 81 am pleased
that You like my dross, for it is fancy
of my own"
"I am sure no one else could design
anything 80 effective answered the
cnamorod Phil.
" But you remember you did not
think it would be pretty when I spoke
of wearing olive green and a sun
| flower"
That was-some time ago. And I
was fool to suppose / knew anything
about woman's dress. Darling Eva,
did you send me n valentine r.
Out of this turmoil there emerged
peace for Egerton. He need no longer
yesrn for the mine or the pole. lie
thought of himself as q vandal OF the
deepest dye while he looked at the
beautiful creature wearing her sun
flower with the serene, unconscious
grace of child princess. What was he
thon to dictate in such ineffable mat
4.