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

an opportunity too Welcome to be lost ;
and, furthermore, Mrs. Chester longed
reclaim her brother from his nomadic
life, and settle him down with a suit
able bride to perform his long-neglected
duties as country squire. She trusted
that the glimpse, transient though il
might be, of home-life in its pleasant
est aspect, and the bright faces of the
girls, in their English youth and fresh
ness, would awaken the wish for its con-
slant enjoyment.
Agnes Lester stood ut the window on
the following day, an open letter in her
hand, and hAlf-sad expression upon
her fair countenance, 1t was an invita-
tion for the next evening to the hall,
and the unlooked-for attention awoke q
conflict of feeling,
How long it was since she held n
similar missive in her hand she did not
remember but il was two years since
the tidings reached her of heavy sor-
row, all the heavier because her maiden
pride compelled it to be borne in secret.
Must she cease to mourn for the dead
Must she enter the gay world once
more? Yes. She could be as constant
to his memory in the crowded ball
room as in her self-im posed solitude.
She would accept the friendship once
moro offered to her and go. Then
arose the very different, but important
question, what should she wear? There
was no time to provide herself with
new robe, so she proceeded to inspect
the means already at her command.
Her last dress, rich lustrous silk,
was finally set aside as not unbecoming
the event, and one OF her treasures was
a quantity of choice old lace, creamy
and elegant.
This was brought into requisition,
and with a white camellia for her hair,
and silver chain and bracelets for her
neck and arms, she trusted her toilet
would not disgrace her reappearance in
society. She went to her chamber that
night with a vague, underlined feeling
of hope, and something of the old
light-heartedness within her that spoke
in pleasant anticipation of the morrow.
The day dawned bright and frosty;
the December sun shone for brief
space upon the crisp and sparkling
snow, and then sank down. to DO sue
ceeded by clear stArlit night.
Rose Davenaut drew aside the heavy
curtains when she rose from the dinner
table and looked out. For q wonder
she was free from any engagement
neither rout nor concert claimed her
that evening, and she contemplated dc.
voting it to the fulfillment Of duty
that of late scant leisure had obliged
her to defer, not that it was by any
means a duty devoid of pleasure, for a
visit to Mr.. Allen, the dear old invalid
lady tnat lived so near them, was al
ways q source Of delight to her.
Whenever her round of engagements
allowed her an hour to spare, she spent
it with her elderly friend; and in tho
amiable, unaffected girl, listening so
seriously to the anecdotes and stories
of long past youth, seasoned with
many homely aiage of counsel and
advice. none would have recognized
the brilliant, sparkling coquette, whose
sarcastic speeches had sometimes a
point too keen for her admirers wholly
to relish.
1t was not too far for her to venture
alone; so, wrapping a fur-lined cloak
tightly round her, the ample hood pro.
tecting her head, she stepped out into
the still winter night.
The keen air brought the roses to her
cheeks and the brightness 10 her eyes,
and never. had she looked more beauti-
ful than when she stood in the doorway
of her friends tiny drawing-room.
Her usual gentle tap had remained
unanswered; and dazzled by the sud
den blaze OF light. she did not at first
discover that Mrs. Allen was absent.
The easy chair by the fire was vacant,
but leaning against the mantelpiece,
apparently in deep thought, was q gen.
tleman. His back was turned toward
the door until the sound of some one
entering caused him to look round.
For moment they gazed at each
other speechless and spellbound; then
summoning all her presence OF mind,
Rose crested him with digniHed bow,
vivid flush Of crimson dyeing her
check the while. 1t was met by an an.
swering look Of pain on the part of the
gtFanQer. who held ont hiR hand. az