Daily Republican., 1883-11-05
[ORIGINAL.]
AS BY FIKE.
BY RYE ROSSE.

by Rye BOSSE.
The Major and she had Just slippe,
out through one Of the long windows
opening from the ballroom upon tn
Vide versnda. They had been dane
ng,And Mrs. Derne, with flushed cheek
and spar king eyes, was standing lool
inE Ike some lovely Nereid, In 3 rob
fOf white silk. covered with misty lace
land caught here and there with bunch
20 Of sea-weed and emerald sprays, q
she slowly waved her white fan to an
fro, and looked up at the Major witt
some playful remark concerning th
dance. The Major was gazing dow
into the lovely up-turned face and ex
periencing an irresist ible desire to tax
her In his arms aud press kiss after kis
upon the moist coral OF her LAUGHING
lips, when from an adjoining window
came the low murmur Of voices. Tw,
ladies were engaged In an endeavor t.
Out-rival each other In rehearsing tn.
spiciest bits of scandal, and were sue
ceeding admirably indeed their praise
worthy efforts in ferretting out th'
skeletons from the closets of certain in
dividuals would have made them in.
valuable to any detective force in the
United States.
" Who was that beautiful womal
that wa met this afternoon, in yacht
ing dress of white and scarlet, and that
! saw dancing with that delightful Ma
jor Varley not ten minutes since"
"Oh, that was Mrs. Derne-Mrs
George Derne. Her husband Is i'm
mensely wealtby-the only reason she
married him, | guess, as he is double
her age and dreadfully stupid. He
allows her plenty of liberty though
goes off on business and leaves her TO
enjoy herself with young and hand.
some man. think its perfectly dread
full the way in which she has ensnared
the Major he Is her attendant every
where. For my part, can t see what
he finds 80 attractive about her. must
acknowledge ] could never see any
beauty in these little, slim women, with
big, sad eyes, and white faces. Their
filtration Is carried on quite openly ;
there Is nothing secret about 1t. u will
probably end in an elopement." And
then these society harpies mercifully
gltded Of on another theme.
Helen Derne had heard every word
of this cruel speech, flushing and pal.
ing alternately, and feeling her keenest
In the fact that Major
Varley had heard it too. What must
he think Of ber-what must they think
that they should dare to talk thus
lightly Of her. OF her, Helen Derne,
who had never flirted In all her life
and who hated even the thought Of such
! thing /; to call her friendship for this
nan "an open tlirtation," that would
end in an elopement Hot,
angry tears filled her eyes, but she
.ook the Majors offered arm In silence
md walked proudly on, bead thrown
back tritle more royalty than usual.
D--n such women" said the Ma
or, TO himself. "I'd like to see them
Ill drowned in the Dead sea.
Men can feel such righteous indigna-
ioL toward whatever interferes with
heir pleasures, legi innate or illegiti-
mate.
"Major Varley, our friendship must
md here, tonight" Mrs. Derne spoke,
II an agitated tone and looked away
rom the Major, fearing to meet the re-.
'roachful gaze she knew was fastened
lpon her.
So that is a woman's regard-so
light thing, that breath of calumny
rom set Of scandal nIongers has pow
r to efface it, the Major spoke in a
utter tone.
You are un just and you are not a
rue friend, ELSE you would not reprOach
ne for giving up what you and both
now can only bring upon me the CEN
ure Of the world"
And does it cost you nothing to re-
ounce it?"cried the Maj passionately.
Can you calmly put aside the source
t so much enjoyment, and go on In life
without a single regret. If you can,
ant"
Mrs. Derne's face whitened. NO."
he said, in shaken voice, not with.
ut regret. If had only myself to
hink of, l might brave public opinion,
nd defy the world to deprive me of
ny friend but the man whose name
bear Is to be considered first He
rusted me to keep his name uDstained
nd sacred, would it be so if it were the
ubject of such remarks as heard this
vening? When the happiness and
'elfare of others is dependent upon
ne, one must not live for self"
Has duty always been the para.
lonnt object of your life?" inquired the
1ajOr
" Yes, to a great extent ] think it
as, answered Mrs. Derne slowly. 81
larried my husband out of duty to my
.ther, who was on the verge of bank
lp'cy, and whom the disgrace of fail.
re- would have driven mad. | loved
~ father very dearly had no
lother,and all my affection was lavish.
! on him, and SO when George Derne
roposed to cancel the heavy sums il he
,cnred my hand in marriage, | could
OF resist the wordless prayer in my
lth' RS eyes, and consented. My sacri-
ce was of little avail, after all, for in
x months he whom loved better
ian self was numbered with the dead.
Ou heard what that woman said con-
.rning my marriage and it is natural
popular belief, but it is not the
uth'
Ir.spect George Derne for his many
erling qualities, and like him, because
e is 30 uniformly kind but if duty
al not said, "wed him." | would
ever have been his wife. You see, |
N explaining all this so that when
ou think of me in after years you may
", she was not all that gossip paint.
her"
Can you think that should ever
r amoment imagine i'll of you?" cried
'e Major warmly. "Mrs. Derne,I re-
,rd you as the noblest woman ever
new, and there is nothing in the
orld | would not do for you. | will
zen, If you desire, promise to seek
Iur society no more, although it will
the hardest sacrifice ] have ever I
zen called upon 10 make
" ! think it will be the best course, " J
piled Mrs. Derne, in her grave, sweet |
ay. "Thank You my friend faith
j and true, for aiding me to do my
Ity." She held out her hand, soft, ,
n IN and warm to,ua ri ,ba Notnr ,