The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1883-08-04
SECRET OF A LARCH.TRFR.

lady, young, beautiful blonde,
sparkled with diamonds as she danced,
herself the magnet of all eyes. amidst
the music, light and revelry of the Au-
gust night at Silver spring. Diamonds
twinklei in the fair hair, poised
there as butterfly; diamonds trembled
like dew-drops about the snowy throat,
and formed q blazing pendant medallion
amidst the flowers of the satin corsage;
diamonds flashed in the tiny ears and on
each dimpled wrist.
Professor Horton, do you see the
lady with the diamonds?" inquired the
colonel with his soft, good ma
tured laugh.
Eyes, I see her, what then?" returned
the professor, grimly.
ooh, nothing at all, only the Silver
Spring will be regarded AS fashionable
resort, what with the new Bellevue Ho-
tel and such guests. Next year we will
be able to hold up our heads with Sara
toga and Newport, if we can add race
course and clubhouse, sir" Here the
colonel rubbed his hands together with
a gesture which has become traditional
with the hotel proprietor of all ages.
The face of Professor Horton was
lean, sallow, and dolorous, on the con-
trary, and was clouded by the discon-
tent of one who has grievance to lay at
the door of circumstances.
He retorted sharply, Mrs. Delaunay
is the name. eh? Are the diamonds real?"
''Real? They are of the purest water,
and cost seventy-fiye thousand dollars,
am told. She was an heiress, you know,
and when she married last year, the ac-
cumulated interest of her minority was
IL,
oolonel's glib explanation.
"Who Is her partner?" pursued the
professor.
ooh, the French Marquis de Ratti.
They say he followed Mrs. Delaunay
here, after being all about in society at
New York and Washington last winter. "
''I do not believe il foreign noble
men," grumbled the professor. "They
prove to be Wallets and BARRIERS more
often than not. He looks more like a
prize-fghter than a gentleman; but per-
haps the prize-fghting element is the
highest evidence OF blood among the
nobility" mused this republican specta-
tor. "Humph! i should not care to
meet him on dark night. He might
crack my skull like an egg-shell between
finger and thumb. Oh, the customs OF
fashions? That young husband, leaning
against the wall, permits the Marquis to
waltz with his wife, instead of knocking
him down for his insolencs."
At this moment pretty girl appeared
behind the professor and the landlord,
with round fair face and hair meekly
brushed back from the temples, and in.
genuous blue eyes. The pretty girl
smoothed her neat apron and lowered hel
eyes demurely as she demanded, Sin the
softest of voices, IF you please, sir, may
have my tear"
''Mrs. Delaunay's English maid
Alice" explained the colonel, when he
had granted the request.
Why did Professor Horton follow the
English maid, so young, SO genteel, sc
demure, with his eye? He could not tell
He saw her pause outside another win.
dow, where the Marquis de Ratti was
taking the air, the dance being over, and
it seemed to the observer that the two
exchanged glance. smile, signal,
before the girl disappeared around the
corner of the house.
1--WE only lack the gallantries of noble
men and ladies' maids to complete the
ruin of our Silver Spring." muttered
this stern moralist, whose ideas were sc
old fashioned. He sought his own cham
ber gloomily, for in addition to pertur
baton of mind, owing to having his
sylvan retreat invaded by the PhilistineE
of fashion. he was literally broken by
bodily fatigue. He had rambled many
miles that day, botanizing in the valleys
and seeking geological specimens on ad
jacent hills. His shoes was duty, his
raiment brier-torn, his loose sack-coat
freighted with the rubbish" precious to
the sayant in the wide external pockets
while rheumatic twinges in knee and
back reminded him that he was no longer
young, thereby increasing his exaspera
ton. Then to return to hotel where
all the world WAS dancing, and one wo-
man was decked like an idol with sew
enty-fve thousand dollars worth of dia
monds. The professors cut OF bitterness
brimmed over at these reflections.
''Wait for me-" said the woman, "l
shall have to manage, to get away q
ALL"
''I viii wait till morning." replied the
man.
''She is sure to dance to the very last
you know, added the woman.
''Don't lose your head, that's all" ad
monished the man.
II lose my head, indeed" retorted the
woman, whose voice and bearing were
youthful.
The professor moved slowly away
scarcely needing these words waited to
his ear by passing breeze. At an angle
of the path was rustic bench beneath 8
larch-tree, known as Professor Horizons
favorite seat. Hither he directed his
steps in an irriated mood, and sank down
on it in sheer weariness. The scent Of
flowers reached him. while the foliage
seemed to spread above him fragrant
robes of darkness" Grateful repose
succeeded noise and light, lulling all his
senses to soft oblivion; he fell asleep.
He was awakened by terrific pea
of thunder, and opened his eyes with
q bewiliered uncertainty as to snr-
rounding objects. The trees swayed
wildly in the rising wind; few large
drops of rain fell heavily among the
leaves; lightning quivered on the hori
zon. Suddenly female form bent over
him, some small object was thrust int
his hand. and voice whispered in hi
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