Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-01-26

pride gave you mp to the rival whom,
as believed, you preferred to me. l
lost all trace OF you, and in my blind
ness hoped never to see you more
Rose, dearest forgive me; the fate that
has brought us together tonight was
surely meant to unite us r.
He had folded her in his arms during
this impassioned appeal-her whole
being seemed TO vibrate to his elo-
quence; and when, shortly afterward,
Mrs. Allen entered her small drawing
room, she found il tenanted by pair
of botrothed lovers.
Chester hall was brilliantly lighted,
the pretty hostess and her sister were
standing in the primo ipal reception
room awaiting the arrival of the
guests; but the fair face of the former
was clouded and gloomy. With all her
clever schoming she fore saw that the
evening was destined to be a complete
failure. True, the expected travellers
had arrived; but her plans for her
brothers welfare had been set at
nought. He had left word with the
butler, On rising from the dinner-table,
that he had gone to visit friend, and
should let himself in quietly and retire
TO his room. His sister had abstain0d
from mentioning the expected assem-
blage, knowing her brothers recluse
turn Of mind, and Mr.. Chester could
render no further information of his
whereabouts, reducing his wife to the
verge OF tears.
The sound OF carriRge-wheels, how
ever, compelled her to wreathe her face
in smiles. The rooms were filling fast,
when amid the ripple Of laughter and
converation came a slight burst OF ad-
miration.
"Who ia that lovely girl, Bertha,
who has just entered What an erquis-
| ite toiletl" exclaimed the widow, wav-
ing her hand toward the last conner.
Mrs Chester glanced in tho direction
of the door, and her countenance as
sumed look Of tho creates; oonsterna-
/ tion.
"why, that is Agnes Lester am
delighted to see her; but, oh CLARA,
whose note OF invitation could have
burned? 1t is quite i'm possible to tell,
but some one will be hopelessly Of
Tended. How could | have been so
stupid as t burn any note Z" she said,
ready to cry with veKation.
Her brothers friend, Captain Colston
Jack Colston, as he was iAmiliarly
called-s handsome man in the uniform
Of q naval officer, was standing near the
door a. Agnes entered unperceived by
him.
She turned pale, and for momen
her heart stood still Could the dead
come TO life again was il q spirit
standing beside herr She must speak,
il only to assure herself that she is not
dreaming.
Jack :" she said, softly.
He turned with starr.
"Agnesi"
Their eyes met, and their hands we're
clasped in perfect rapture of bliss and
contentment. In the midst of a crowded
room, with gay company round them,
it was neither place nor opportunity for
anything beyond that ope brief excla-
nation (; but shortly afterwArd, when
leaning upon his arm, she entered
dimly-lit ante-room that not even
stray couple had as yet evaied, he said,
tenderly
"It was my cousin Jacks death that
was announced in the 7ynes. He dsed
in his chambers in London; and on
looking over his papers few days
since discovered the two last letters I
wrote him. the Enclosures to you still
in them and unposted, and strangely
enough I failed to connect the circum-
stance with your sudden silence. IL
was fatality altogether. and Was we'll
nigh ending in the wreck of two lives.
When you ceased 10 write, ceased TO
hope, and resolved henceforth to live
for mr. profession. Tomorrow should
have set sail for the East, and | tremble
to think that we might never have met
again"
"Aud I have grieved in secret for
your death, till life itself seemed hard
to bear. MY very youth had passed
away. Am altered ?" she asked, ez-
changing her tone Of sadness for one OF
playful banter.
"Yes; left pretty girl. come
back and find beautiful womanl'
At this iuncture their quietude was
broken by the entry OF several guests, 80