The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-05-25
SELECT STORY.
LOST AND WON,

the delight, the exquisite triumph of
refusing him. 1t will only serve him
right !"
Such was the language of Florence
Nevil,e's eyes as she contemplated,
with no little satisfaction, the graceful
reflection of her figure in the glass,
before which she was atiring for the
first ball of the season.
Of whom was she speaking? OF
whom thinking? Why did that short
rosy lip curl with such beautiful scorn
as The last look was given to the snowy
dress, which hung in lace folds like
summer clouds roun'l the fairy form
of its young mistress7 Florence was
at that moment picturing to herself
the subjugation of one high heart
which had obstinately refused doing
homage at her shrine-of one being in
the wide world who had denied her
power, calmly gazed at her undoubted-
| ly lovely countenance, and TRANQUILITY
disappioved her style. 1t was insult
ferable; so Florence determined that
her third season should be distinguish
ed by the conquest of the naughty,
high and handsome Earl of st Clyde
not that she cared for him; oh no !!
she was only determinen to make him
propose. Indeed there was sort of
playful wager between her cousin, En-
ma Neville, and herself on the subject,
and Florence felt her credit at stake if
she failed
"Have you thought of your wager,
Florence ?" said Emma Neville, as
they descended to the drawing room
together
''ro be sure! You think / shall
lose it. / can read your thoughts"
'If he is the ST. Clyde of last season,
you certainly will" laughed Emma.
"That man is invunerable, Florence"
"Nous verrous, nous verrous!" !" said
the beauty, and taking her fathers
arm she sprang into the carriage.
1t was brilliant hall. The rich
and the noble, the young and the bead
tiful-all were there; and in the cen
ire of an admiring circle, dazzling,
conspicuous, stood Florence. She was
preparing to waltz with tall, dark,
I unbending looking parsonage, who
was apparently quite indifferent wheth-
er he supported her light figure Or that
of any one else. This was Lord ST.
Clyde. Florence, on the contrary, was
all sparkling gaity. She was dancing
with him for the third time. Another
moment and they were flying around
with rapid grace.
Things went on exceedingly well
Florence knew her ground and the
game she was playing, and as she
passed Emma, the cousins exchanged
glances. That of Florence said "He
is wont That of Emma: "Not
yet"
"I'm afraid you are fatigued," sale
Lord st. Clyde, as he led his partner tc
a seat.
"Oh, no, not much," replied Flor
ence; "but the rooms are very warm
1t is impossible to dance and still more
to breathe--particularly here"
She was in one corner of the room
the most crowded-and removed from
either door or window.
/ Nv SchoNi biV SOOis oai'
the Earl, but he did not offer to leaC
her there. Florence was perfectly
aware that the conservatories wer,
cool, but she knew also that they hat
another advantage-they were perfec
groves of the choicest flowers anC
orange trees, consequently no spot wa
ever better fitted for Irritation, per
haps for proposal. With expert
enced policy, however, she only Leaned
gracefully back and gently famed hel
self Lord St. Clyde stood by he
side. He was anything but ball
room man, for though his figure wa
faultless, and his dancing just enoug
to show it off, he had none of tina
charming Huency of conversatio
which dancing partner should have
ne could not pay a compliment if h
did not feel it-he would not if h
thought it was expected; therefore
had he been Mr.. S. Clyde, Jr., h
would have been great bore in soci,
ty; as it was, he was a delight
tul young man-so much proper II
= serve.
The galopre in Gustave aroused III
Earl from n reverie.
"Are yon too much fatigued to joi
in the gNoppe, Miss Neville?"
"Oh, yes! l never galoppe, it fl
tigues me so! Is it possible you lik
that romp Lord st. Clyde ?"
The Earl persisted, but Florenc
would not dance; he persuaded, bit
she would not lister; he condescended t
repeat the request, and almost allowe
a compliment to escape him; M
Florence was firm. The Earl said n
more but drew himself up. Suddenl
Florence rose with her brightest smil
II am too selfish, my lord that ga
loppe is so inspiring that | cannot r.
sist it,
a change came over the spirit of 5
Clyde; he was another creature, an
Florence was herself again, all II
umphant. The next moment Il
dancers were thrown into confusio
there was rush toward the window
and Lord st. Clyde was seen dartir
through the crowd toward the conser
atory with fainting figure in h
i arms, it was Florence Neville.
The cousin bent affectionatey ov
the insensible girl, and the Earl knC
"a by her side with glass of water.
sit was my fault" exclaimed S
Clyde in an agitated voice, 81 mao
her dance-good God how lovely 81
4 looks +! she does not revive-what sh;
/ we do 2"
II "lIas no one salts ?" cried Emmi
Il "call my uncle, | think we had bett
Il go home-oh, who has any salts !" ~
j Earl was already gone for them,
II With a stifed laugh Florence OPEN
81 her wide beautiful eyes and started u
Il "Was it not well done?"
81 "Good heaven, Florence !"
Il "Well, my dear, did you not ev
4 hear of any one fainting before7 Y,
will lose the wager, ezuina mai y
= "My dear Florence, how you frigl
y ened me eH
p, "Never mind-hush, here they con