Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1883-11-23
MiscellamenMs.
LEONORE DALLAS.

Leonore, you surely do not think Of
going to the ball? The whole city
knows, and-had we not best remain
at home ~
No, auntie; our costumes are pre-
pared, and fortunately, paid for" With
slow scorn in the clear voice, "We will
GO"
III am in no mood for gay scenes to-
night, child. wonder you are
II am not Nevertheless, Aunt Ina,
we will 60"
The speakers were Leonore Dallas
and her aunt. On that very day the
news had gone like a fash of lightning
through the city that Leonore Dallas.
the proud, beautiful girl who was Arthur
Lanes promised wife, had been beggared
by the disappearance of her guardian. in
whose hands was all her wealth, and the
rumor was proven true.
She stood in the great drawing-room,
the sinking sun shining redly on her
dusky hair; u line of pain was on her
brow, haunting. yearning shadow in
her grand, black eyes. Prouder than
was her wont she looked, and yet !.
fierce unrest was gnawing at her heart
For he had not come. Would he love
her less, that she could bring him but
her woman's heart, her perfect life and
passionate love tN'
With the shadow of doubt, pang
fierce as death seized her heart, and one
perfect hand was pressed above it sud
denly. Then with touch If the agony
she felt, in her Spanish eyes, she turned
from the window.
"Auntie," she said, ''if my reign is
over, | have the desire that Cataline
had, to fall royalty None will look for
the suddenly impoverished Leonore Dal.
las in to-nights gypsy queen.
"No, dear, they will think you crushed
by your loss
THE morning may find me So" she
said. half sadly, as she glidcd from the
room
The mask ball was at its height when,
with proud, free step, II gypsy queen,
accompanied by a dowager duchess, en-
tered.
Her short skirt of black velvet was
aglittcr with fringcs of gold and golden
chains holding tiny bells Of ivory her
corsage of scarlet satin. was richly en-
broidered and laced with gold, and from
her shoulders hung scarlet cloak with
heavy, glittering fringe; jewels shone
on her bare arms and flashed from her
flowing, dusky hair, which showcred,
with but ripple in its splcndor, almost
to her feet Aud on the morrow those
cleaning gems would be all that Loonorc
Dallas could claim Of the wealth that
was once her own.
A knight Of the times of Louis XIII
stepped forward, and dofing his broad,
plunfed hat, offered her his arm She
took it and joined the dancers, while
the duchess found scat apart. !,
Laughing gayly, pretending to read her
partners palm, Leonore was still watch
ing, watching passionately for DarDly,
the worthless husband Of Scotland's fatcd
queen; for in that garb Arthur Lane
was TO appear there, as be had told her;
and when she declined 10 tell the char
acter she would assume, he had smiled
into her eyes, and told her that the eyes
of love were sharp, and he would find
her. dress ms she would.
Was he there? She had finished
dancing, and was out on tho balcony
with Der cayalier--out in the spring
time moonlight, which was almost clear
as day.
Lightest Of words flowed from her
lips, and her companion was forgetting
all else in the charm Of her presence
when voices from below broke on the
air and, looking downward, she saw de-
sccnding tho steps Of the lower ycranda
a red-cross knight and--how her heart
bounded and Darnly, her lover
at is too COMPOUNDED warm inside, -
said the knight, 10 petulant tones, "and
the affair is a complete boro. | have
failed to recognize anybody"
Thanks" was the reply, in the voice
which she SO loved Thanks, Sanford,
you recognized ne. But, then, I'm moi
Miss Montague. also, am seeking for
one have not found as yet"
You mean Miss Dallas. BY the way,
Lane, is this rumor true that old Brent
has abscoDdcd and taken her money
with him? They told me il for fact
and that your engagement is broken.
Tat's not 80, is itY I'd never respect
you If il was"
Leonorc bent over the railing, hold
ing her breath 10 hear tho reply A life
the life Of her youth, was at stake, an,
she forgot everything 10 the anxiety o
her listening, while her cavalier wa
pulling the flowers 10 his button-holc b
pieces, wondering at her silence
Stanford" came the answer, "doe
the world say thatr' Then tell IL iron
me that my engagement to Miss Dslla
is not broken by the fall Of her fortunes
Toll IL loved her, not for her wealth