The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-09-12
THE BLUE CHAMBER AT ORMES
CIIFFE.

Two pretty women sat talking by Arelight
one autumn evening. A tea table, splendid
with old crown Derby, and satin coy en-
broidered to match cooked on the top of the
old silver teapot, stood between them, and
the third volume of the lsst popular novel
lay on the wolf-skiu rug Just where Lynette
hsd dropped it, when even her bright eyes
could read no longer. She was SLIM, fair
faced girl, with outlines thought, too sharp
for prettiness, alert and sensitive to the fng-
or tips. Her keen. bright face took dozen
varying shades of expression while che spoke
rs many words, her hair waived crisply her
eyes were gray, dilating and deepening with
tho intensity Of her meaning. She was
kneeiiDg on the rug tornenting the big b1rn-
ing log in tie CRATE with 8 toy brass poker,
snd watching the blue flames and red sparks
come and go while sac talked. Her slater
listened behind her peacock fan, calmly and
reasonably, az WAS her won't.
@No marriage can ever be happy, declared
Iynette. in her thin, musical, childish voice,
"Without perfect love and trust"
IL think have heard something like that
before remarked Mrs. Featherstone IN her
full contralto. "Bs-idss, L never disputed
the statement, did Is"
"Xhy, LOlsI Didn't you say ihst wife
hsd a right TIA mans present Snd future,
cus his lsst was his own1
'.Something of the kind" L.ols admitted.
81 also tsid thst ii WAS queer way OF die
playing your perfect trust 10 insis:
on knowing 81 bis secrets"
'Trust me not 1t all o. all II alll1 quoted
Lynette, eDphsticslly.
"And nice position Merlin got into by
acting on the ADVICE" commented Lola.
Lynelfe shrugged her shoulders and gave
the log furious blow. tending spsrks in
showers 6bcut. Lola medt9tively s.roked
fbe soft plush Of nor tea-gown with her
dimpled. white hand, glsncing spprovlngly
at the sparkle of the gems that incrusted it.
and then poke with authority from the
depths of her basket chair.
my dear child. il was q wise woman who
said: Never insist on being your husba IDS
6rst love; be content if you are sure Of being
his last
Il would never sat eyes on John sgsin if
l were not perfectly certain Of being the one
and the otherp Lynette replied, her color
rising and her eyes dsrksning. sour lives
are to DO one, with one opinion, one ideal,
one set of tastes snd feelings-"
"WhoseY Yours OF hist And how about
yschting2T interpreted Mira Feathsrstone.
"Lolsl When you know have ordered
three yachting suits for my trousaesu-A
blue, white, and Galstesl OF course /
wretched; but if he's pleased It's ell right"
"You are good little thing, Lynette,"
said her sister. sffsctionstely; "but you see
sgreement on every point Is physically I'm
possible. l wish you would admit the pin.
-ciple in ali things. II will save a world OF
disappointment and dispersed allusioDs."
Lyrsite's eyes grew dewy and her lip
quivered-
''Let me keep my illusions while 1 can,
then. You and Mark may have your views
of married happiness. John and would
rather como to grief in striving after high
ideal than sneak through life contented with
having realized low one"
Lola vas silent. Sne had never consctsn-
tious4y formed any ideal, and wouldn't have
distressed herself bv striving after it II she
bad on any consideration. Sha hsd bseu-
tiful, well-ordered home, pretty little year
old son, kind, consldera!s husband, and was
the hsndeomest woman in the county. How
could her life be possibly improved ONT
81 beg your pardon, LolaG' broke out Ly-
nette inrulsiyely. ST didn't mesn-.hat ls.
l didn't think-I oughn't to have said so 70
you VIA. laundering ego.istical wretch
I anti
LoEs's great brown eyes opened wide IN
utter beTilderment; then, following LIZ
peise's glance across the room became en-
Eghiened md half closed their curly fragei
lids in perfect Indifference A half length
portrait hung on the wall facing the fire.. a
portrait of q pretty woman Of q certain or
der Of prettiness, the s'rt that, curiously
enough, is never admitted by other womea,
however attractive men may find it. Rid.
ny brown hair, c1iled high upon tho ne I'd
alter tho fashion Of some ten yesrs ago. and
ripping across 8 low, white forehead; long
eyes Of bright blue, with half cloaed, heavy
white eyelida, -msll mouth, With full, red
lips, and soft round chin with dimple
like baby's.
"Did you think should bs sensitive sbou:
Marks first wiiei' Lola asked .smusedly, 81
had forgotten shat chs ever existed for the
moment.'
Lynslte frOwned incrsdulcusly.
II shcuid hate the sight OF her. Why Do
you keep that portrait there. Lola2"
v"Btcsuse sm 90 much better looking. my
desr-better in every way, and it serves u
remind Mark Of tho fsct- like TO keep hel
there in perpetual comparison with ms-h
her disadvantage. Lola sat upright and
spoke quite sDimstedly-for her. "Wher
Mark and erst came home hare he sskeC
me TO rearrsnge everything As wished, ant
cav him glance at the portrait. / knew
What he meant, and said directly that
should prefer to leave Lady Mildred there
II would stop lnkind tongues, said, II tia
was siill kept in the place of honor Mari
thought wss an angel Of course, an
agreed II 1 fsncied he still loved her
would burn it this minute; but, "a no detest
he. msmory as cordially IS / could With
keep your place. Lady Mildred"
Ard Lola waved q salute that was half
mensnca to her pictured rival, and Isaghe
= low, little laugh; tken, sinking back wit
her usual lazy grsce, demanded "5ome NOR
tea; not quite 20 sweet, plssse, DEAR"
Lynette was quite accustomed 70 her sister
sudden outbursts-of passion, nirth or devc
lion, aithe csse,roigbt be-snd poured the &c
ont carefully, With Ter ears on the alert 81
while to distinguish and identify confuse