The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1882-04-05
DOROTHY'S MUSIC BOX.


old house at Stenaway Grove, and the air
was full of feathery white snow flakes which
whirled in the naddest, meriest waltz here
and there until at last they fell softly to the
white earth,
The wide sitting room was rs cosey as
might he jolly fire sending long red
tongues up the black throated chimney the
easy chairs standing invitingly about the
apartment, and n large, motherly- looking
gray cat ON the hearthsrng nursing three
small kittens.
Dorothy, dimple-cheelsed, brown-eyed,
brown-haired, was at the piano playing the
''Blue Alsatian Waltz with good deal of
expression.
Her canary, bit of vivid lemon color, in
his cage at front window, twittered and
trilled sympathetically, and directly under-
meath the cage stood Tom Sloan, hands in
his pockets, his bold gray eyes staring out
of the window at the storm, and his hand
some lips puckered under his long, blonde
mustache, as he whistled clear fiute-like
accompaniment to Dorothy's music.
Tom was half-brother to Sternaway, Doro-
thy's brother-in-law.
When Hattie Benson had accepted Car
roll Sternaway's proposal, it was with the
understanding that her younger sister Doro-
thy-then at school should have home
at Sternaway Grove.
Therefore Dorothy had been there ever
since leaving school, six months before
and Tom Sloan, whose law Office was in the
city, and who made his home at his broth.
er's also, had all the while made persistent
love to Dorothy, while Dorothy had just as
persistently hated him.
Tom never seemed in the least upset by
Dorothy's apparent dislike, however.
Indeed, Dorothy had never seen him fus-
tered over anything ; that was what irrita-
ted her-his cool, sleepy, satisfied way--she
felt sometimes as if it would be a positive
relief to give him good shaking.
'Dollie," he said coming leisurely across
the room rs the music ceased, "when are
we TO be married ~
Dollie elevated her nose and her eyebrows
simultaneously, and maintained scornful
silence
Because, you see," he went on imper-
turbably, there are always so many prepa-
rations to be made for such an event, aud
so far as can see you haven't done the first
thing"
g You ars the most absurd man I ever
mewl' Dorothy cried out at last. little
irrepressible laugh bursting from her lips.
AS if Ed be seen marrying such bundle
of laziness and egotism as You are y
''You might do worse he replied.
"There is but one man about here that
consider better match thnn myself, and
thu; man is Fred Raymond ON the hin"
Dorothy smiled while her white fingers
chased one another mp and down the key
board.
. / am to attend church Mt the east village
with the Raymonds next Sunday" she an
nouneed triumphantly
curious shadow gathered in the mans
leer, eyes AZ hsssnanned the girls fresh face
He took the dimpled chin between his
thumb and forefinger, and forced her gaze
to meet his own. She flushed under his
touch but looked ut him deiiantly.
"The truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth, he demanded succinctly
And Dorothy replied:
Fred Raymond and his mother called
on me the morning after their reception,
and kindly invited me to attend the morning
service at St Michaers Chapel with them
next Sunday, and |, of course, accepted"
'Of course" sneered Tom, the first real
anger or disapproval she had ever seen in
him flashing over his features; " Fred Ray
mond Is handsome and wealthy drives the
prettiest horses and owns the finest cstab-
lshment in the country"
Dorothys red lips eurled family
Certainly" she said, pushing TOMS
hand away and turning again to the piano,
land no girl in her senses would refuse his
courtesy and attention !"
And then she struck recklessly into the
air of "Captain Jinks." improvising some
wonderful variations, while Tom strobe
from the room and closed the door behind
him with good deal of emphasis.
Now among Dorothy's possessions was an
exquisite little music-box, made in the form
of tiny album, with velvet covers and
gold clasp. gentle pressure upon the
clasp would set the instrument which played
several popular airs.
Sunday morning came--a clear, bright,
exquisite December day-and the Raymond
horses, splendid with gold-mounted trap
pings, were already dashing up the broad
driveway which led to the Sternaway man.
sion when Dorothy suddenly remembered that
she had left her prayer-book on the table in
her room.
She ran up stairs hastily, and catching up
the dainty velvet-bound volume from the
stand, was back again just as Tibbie, the
little kitchen-maid, swung the front door
open.
moment later, seated in state upon the
luxurious cushions beside the aristocratic
Madam Raymond, with the young gentle
man in faultless attire beaming compliment
ly opposite, little Dorothy, in secret fiutter
of delight and gratified vanity, but outward
ly the picture of smiling composure, was
whirIed away TO St. Michaels.
Tom Sloan, who had just come down stairs
paused III the doorway to fasten his glove
and looked after the rapidly retreating ba-
rouche with very unusual fire in his gray
eyes.
Twenty minutes later he sauntered mp the
broad aisle at Saint AIichaeps and seated
himself directly behind Dorothy.
How do you suppose Dorothy knew who
was there 4 cannot tell you.
Certainly guarded by the magnificent
Madam Raymond on one side, and the ex-
quisite Frederick on the other she would
not have been guilty of the improperly of
looking behind her; yet she knew, as well
as she knew that her name was Dorothy
Benson, that Tom Sloan sat there, quiet,
cool, Indifferent as ever.
Dearly beloved brethren" began the
rector, in solemn accents
Dorothy essayed to open the elasp of her
prayer-book.
The Scripture moveth us in sundry pla-