Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1883-06-30
HEARTS AND DIAMONDS.

The setting sun cast its last, rosy
rays upon the beautiful grounds which
surrounded handsome villa. Up and
down the garden walks girl was slow
ly pacing-a dark-haired, dark eyed
girl-her head bent as though in deep
thought, her white hands clasped loose
ly before her, her eyes full of happy
light.
Yes it was evident that Lucia Grey
was happy and contented with her 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 l. am certain Of it; and actions
speak louder than words. y"
She glanced toward the house "a
white villa, in pretty, green bower of
trees, with roses clambering over it.
81 wonder what they are doing p
she went on, softly, II left Victor in
the billiard room with brother Guy ;
but Lenore-ah, there she is p
And the slim. graceful figure of a
girl, in blue cashmere dress, suddenly
appeared. A golden-haired, pink and
white beauty, with innocent blue eyes.
Lenore Davis was Lucia's orphan cous-
ina dependent in the Grey family,
but never allowed to consider herself
such.
The two girls were like two sisters,
and shared everything equally, and no
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 constant visitor
at the house. Lucia had grown to
blush bewitchingly whenever he was
announced and gradually it had come
to be understood that the two preferred
each others society, though no vows of
love had ever passed between them.
Lucia paused involuntarily and
watched her cousin. She could see
that IGNORES delicate face was pale,
and wore an anxious, excited express
sion.
She seemed striving to escape obser-
walton, moving in and out amid the
shrubbery with rapid, gliding mo-
ton. At last she DISAPPEARED from
sight in a small rose-arbor.
Lucia smiled.
81 will go and frighten her." she
said. "I'll creep up softly, and come
upon her unawares. She is such a
little cowardY' GF EgH
No sooner said than done Lucia
drew near the arbor and cautiously
peeped in.
She recoiled aghast, suppressing an
exclamation. For there, sheltered from
public gaze by the dropping rose vines,
upon rustic seat, sat Victor Ardsley,
the man who was dearer than life to
Lucia Grey and at his side-Lenore |!
Her golden head rested on his
shoulder he was bending over her m
til his dark hair almost touched her
cheek, and as the astonished girl gazed
upon the pair, he kissed IGNORES lips.
Heart-sick, poor Lucia crept away.
She wanted to hide herself somewhere,
and lie down and die. All the world
had suddenly grown dark and cold,
and she saw no more happiness, no
more truth iu it.
She had been so sure that Victor
Ardsly loved her, that to find out her
mistake seemed more than she could
bear.
She managed to get to the house,
somehow, and up to her chamber un-
observed. Locking the door behind
her, she flung herself upon the bed,
and wept as though her heart would
break.
The moments passed, and the length
ing shadows warned her that it was
time to dress. She could not afford to
indulge in the luxury of grief; there
were guests invited for the evening,
and her parents expected her to do
her part in their entertainment. She
arose, and bathing her face in cool wa
ter, rang the bell for her maid.
"Megr' she said, when the girl APP
peared, 81 shall not go down to dinner,
Bring cup of strong coffee to my
room, and then you can dress me I
Meg obeyed with alacrity; and hav-
ing drank the coffee strong and bitter
as gall--Lucia submitted herself to the
def hands of the maid.
And she never looked more beauti-