The National tribune., 1883-02-22


cost, conceal his love, until he had won a
| name.'I
Perhaps" she said, doubtfully
| He dared not look in her face: but he fam
cied he had caught in the tone of her voice an
echo of his\ own passion. When he spoke
| again, it was olearly of himself.
a have the ambition and industry, possibly.
to reach successT he said, as if emboldened by
the brief silence ;\' but well / know that it
may be years away though l have great hope
that even now the case is IN my hands which
Will speedily settle my future
"Ah," said Miss Lascelles, with decided in
! terest, "a suit, great suit that you expect to
! gain ?"
"Yes, a suit involving large interests, which,
! if win, will surely give me an enviable place
! i'll my profession"
| "And you will win," she said, brightly; " it
| is both my hope and my prediction"
BY this time, they had made the circuit of
the Park and were at Mrs. Peck's again.
81 hope l have not vexed you with my con-
! fidences," he said, breathlessly, as they went
up the steps.
| ooh, Mr.. Elliott, have been truly inter-
ested," she began, reproachfully, then stopped,
/ for Paul Vickery was coming out.
Mrs. Peck and / have arranged every de-
! TAIL" he said, lightly.
Elliott tried to be agreeable
"Thanks for the team, Nickery," he said.
| "All right. I'll take them home" was the
unceremOnious rejoinder; and Paul chuckled
as he drove away. His wrist did not seem to
! trouble him now Had to have some ex-
! cuse," he reflected. "Sid is so deuced sensi-
| tive; hardly dare to offer him anything now
adays."
Elliott thought he could not stop to tea, and
! Adelaide bade him a rather dreamy adieu.
Mrs. Peck had habit of saying the most
charming things about everybody to every
| body else and sometimes all unintentionally,
| lii ,,,;cc iaf Tbis aft she
/ had sent Paul off with a queer notion III his
! head.
adelaide will hardly have enjoyed the ride
! for thinking of your poor wrist" she had
/ said, innOcently; but her tone and the know
ing toss of the blonde head had set him to
thinking.
| Could it be possible that Adelaide cared for
! him? If such were the case, what would poor
! Elliott do? Poor Sid! Could he survive it?
That evening, Mrs. Peck said something of
| the same sort to her niece.
| Il think it was quite self-sacrificing in Paul
to send you off with that Mr. Sidney Elliott" :"
| and she laughed slyly
"Oh, aunt" cried Adelaide. "Surely you
| don't think"
81 never think, my darling. knou."
Adelaide cOlored, and was silent, remember
/ ing the words that Sidney Elliott had spoken.
| Paul Vickery did not again go to Mrs Peck's
| for two or three days. Then he noticed GER
GOOD heavens!" he groaned. "How viii it
! all end? l fear Mrs. Peck is right"
Meanwhile Elliott was undergoing wearing
4 suspense for the lawsuit of which he had
| spoken TO Adelaide was on trial. He did not
/ see Paul oftener than twice or thrice until the
morning of the ball. and then had but a few
words with him, and those on the subject of
! the suit.
"You look furried," said Vickery.
Sidney gave a nervous laugh.
81 shall probably be furried until we have
| had decision. Our arguments were all made
! to-day, you know"
"Of course, said Paul, who was far more
| anxious himself than the other had dreamed.
'We'u meet at the bali this evening"
Sidney spent restless day. He was early at
| the ball. For awhile, of course, he could not
expect to see much of Adelaide, who was assist
ing her aunt to receive the guests. But he
1 found niche, whence, unnoticed, he could OBJ
| serve her graceful movements and exquisite
| attire. She wore a rich, creamy silk, with
| crimson roses at the belt and on the bosom;
| creamy gloves, whose soft, wrinkled gauntlets
reached almost to the round white shoulders;
and her slender feet were erimson-stOckinged
| and slippered.
| Presently some one took his arm. 1t was
| Yiclzery.
"What news ?D asked the latter
Success" answered Sydney, in dazed way,
as if he himself could scarcely realize it, though
! it had been seven hours SINCE
| "By George!" cried Yickery, his eyes shin
/ ing. as it so? Then come along old fellow,
| and enjoy yourself. No more dreaming"
In due time Sidney had sought Miss Lascelies
and secured a waltz, after which he looked for
j her aunt.
| Mrs. Peck found quadrille for him. She
was fonder of dancing, even, than Adelaide.
1t was over-his waltz with Adelaide, and,
still giddy with the sublime rythm and the
| IL
| he remembered that his quadrille with Mrs.
Peck came next 1t was after the opening
| figure that his partner caught him closely
observing Adelaide, who was dancing with
Paul.
"a pretty couple" she suggested, contden-
tally
"Yes," was his faint assent.
"Ah! / often picture them dancing merrily
through life together"
"What did you say2" cried Sydney, with
hard gasp. is there any"
"Oh. Imust not be the first to announce it."
she laughed. "They really have not author
lied me-" And then came their turn to lead
| another figure
Sidney's heart was strangely cold and quiet.
So this was the end of it all /! He had been
making terrible mistake. For of course the
aunt must know. Before it had been a spectre
of posi- bility which haunted him; now it was
a demon of certainty.
What booted the success the inspiring trl-
umph, which had been his that afternoon2
He managed after fashion to get through
| the quadriile and creep away to a corner.
The constant music, exquisite at the outset,
| turned TO a jar of hideous discord. Still he
manned quiet in his corner and saw Adelaide
| again dancing with Yickery.
The dull ache at his heart and brain grew
| intolerable. He resolved to get away from this
scene of mockery. The glitter of jewels and
| simmer of silken raiment were maddening.
He arose to make his way across the room,
| and so met Miss Lascelles.
81 believe must go" he said, with ghastly
smile. "And / viii bid you long ..ood-by, for
| tomorrow go abroad"
"Go abroadP" she smiled, as if he were jok-
| ing.
"Yes, II have had news to-day-sudden
news-which will affect all my future life
how, hardly know"
Then she realized that he was in earnest, and
wondered why his success (which, strangely
enough. he had not mentioned to her, but of
which Paul had given her a hint) should have
so altered his plans.
81 am very sorry" she said, with courteous
regret. "DO not go without seeing us, to-
morrow"
And then she turned TO waiting partner,
while Sidney went on slowly toward the stairs,
| where Paul confronted him
Paul" he said family, "a would like to see
! YOU alone little While-fye minutes Is there