Daily Republican., 1883-05-09
HEARTS AND DIAMONDS.
BY MRS. f. BURKE COLLINS.

slowly pacing-a dark-eyed, dark
haired girl-her head bent az though
in deep thought, her white hands clasJ,
ed loosely before her, her eyes full q
happy light.
Yes, it was evident that Lucia Gre,
was happy and contented with hel
lot
Dear Victor - she said, half aloud
smiling sweetly to herself, strange
how completely have learned To care
for him and believe that he loves
me True, he has never told me in
words, but | am certain Of it; and
actions speak louder than words.
She glanced toward the house-;l
white villa, in "A pretty green bower
of trees, with roses clambering over it.
81 wonder what they are doing?''
she went on, softly. left Victor in
the billiard room with brolher Guy
but Lrnore-- ah. there she II! 7"
And the slim, graceful figure oi u girl
in blue cashmere dress. suddenly ap-
pearnd. A golden haired, pink and
white BEAUTY, Milh innocent blue eyes.
Lenpre Davis was Lucia's orphan
cousin-a dependent in the Grey family,
but never allowed to consider herself
such.
The two girls were like two sisters,
and shared everything equally, and M
one but an migrate would have been
dissatisfied
But IGNORES heart was full Of envy
and jealousy, though Of this her kind
friends never dreamed.
Victor Ardsley was q constant visitor
at the house. Lucia had gro WI to
blush bewitchingly whenever he was
announced and gradually it had come
10 be understood that the two preferred
each others society, though no vows OF
love had ever passed between them.
In in paused involuntarily and
watched her cousin. She could see
that Lenorr's delicate face was pale,
and Norr an anxious, excited express
son.
She seemed striving to escape obser-
va'i"n, moving in and out amid the
shuhh W with a apid, gliding motion.
A. last she disappeared from sight in Il
small rose-arbor.
Lucia smiled
81 will go and frighten her." she
said. "I'll creep up softly, and come
upon her nnawares. She is such a lit
tie coward :"
No sooner said than done. Lucia
drew silently near the arhOr and eau
tiouSly peeped III.
She recoiled agliaSt, suppressing an
For there, sheltered from
public gaze by the dropping rose vines,
upon rustic seat, sat Victor Ard5ley,
he man who was dearer than life 10
Lucia Grey and at his side-l.enure
Her golden head rested on his shOul-
Ter he was bending over her until his
lark hair almost touched her cheek,
and as the aStonished girl gaz.sl upon
,he pair, he kissed Lenore's rui lips.
lieart-sick, poor Lucia crept away.
She wanted to hide herself somewhere,
md lie down and die. All the world
lad suddenly grown dark and cold, and
she saw no more happiness, no more
ruth in it.
She had been 50 sure that Victor Ard |
,ley loved her, that TO find out her mis-
axe seemed more than she could |
,ear.
She managed m get to the hOIse,
and mp to her own chamber
Inoh|e, we'd Locking the door behind her
he tung herself upon the bed, and
yept II, though her heart would break.
The moments passed, and the length
ming shadows warned her that it was
iiie to dress. She could not afford to
indulge in the luxury of grief there
we're guests invited, for the evening,
nd iiri parents expected her to do her
ART iI heir entertainment. She arose.
nd bathing ncr face in cOOi wafer, rang
he bell for her maid.
Meg = she SAID, when the girl ap-
cared, " ! shall not go down ndinner.
'ring cup OF Sroug rOffee 10 my room,
nd tn :" you can dress me -
Meg oh ycd with alacrity ; and hav- ;
X drank the cotfr--StrOng and bitter
$ lail-Lucia submitted herself to the
eft hands of the maid.
And she never looked more beautiful ,
ian when, the last fold arranged, the
.st touch completed, Meg drew back I
contemplate the dazzling vision with {
little, satisfied "Oh -
A dress of white silk, very long, and i,
tting exq'iisitely, made high to the r
bundled throat :: il white lace Overskirt,
oped with whleroscS white rOsebnds 4
the ebOn hair, and tiny bunch of :
SnOw-guren IA veritable FROST /
alden.
The door opened, and I.rnore tinttered =
!, pausing on the threshold with a ,
|tlr, hali-trighteued exclamation al
ght of the stern, pale face, and the
light, dark eyes. \
She looked like a wax doll, in pale n
cen silk and pearls. L,cia's face /,
ew crimson AT sight of her she turn a
away without comment II
Irnore cr'pt 10 her cousin \ side, and ~
rev her whlre arms about her n
"Oh, Lucia :" she whispered. I" n
n 50 happy he, Nictor, you know, q
Is asked me to he his wife. Wish Inc
y, Lucia :"
Lucia stopped aud kissed the pretty
cc. :,
" May you be happy.'' she returned ci
Inly. Then, drawing on her gloves, II
f took her fan and bouquet, and r,
riIcd to leave the room.
- Irlria, you trlghtrn me - cried \,
more. "lon lo"k 80 pale and still
d" you well, h"ar"' a.
'QuIIr wellI' was the curt reply.
'uIn", Leirrr, il is time to go down n
m"n stairs, i'll the great drawing II,
IN, ihefrst person whom Lucia en- m
lnterrd was Major Bmrnham, a Cali r.,
mia millionaire, "the diamond Il;
II, they called him.
He was of middle age, fat and pom "
us, bnt he considered Lucia Grey the
rV handSomeSt woman that he had =;
r. met =
he managed to secure her for the first -
I,z; after that they Onena.i,ai
'ongh the rooms, she leaning on his aN
II, with her starry eyes full of scorn, -:
ii finally, in the Srcl,isiOn of a desert y,
receptiOn-room, he seized the Oppor- .,i sn
lity TO lay at her feet his heart and ~
tune. ~
Lucia listened quietly, her heart S' r'
riuking with horr'T from the thought ~
81, CHANGING to raise her eyes, she
", coming toward her, Victor Ardslcy
tn LcnDre upon his arm.
& "A L., !