Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1883-06-21
FAIR AND FALSE.
BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

Cora Leslie was dreaming over he
needlework, in the soft light of TIT
April noon. Blossoming cyclamen
were in the deep easements; white
hyacinth hung its odorous bells in the
sunshine; Il blue ribboned work basket
was drawn close to the window, and Q
fire of logs burned, with comfortable
cracking sound, in the deep, tiled fire.
place.
Cora started at the sudden question,
and then smiled.
APP said she. my fortune toldf
How should IP We city girls never
stumble across gypsy camps; and j
don't believe in the wise women who
advertise from city tlats."
Old Miss Duchesne was sallOw, with
very black hair, scarcely as yet sprink-
led with gray, although sixty years had
passed over it; sharp, black eyes, and a
nose and chin which nearly met. She
looked almost like u sphinx herself rs
she sat there.
81 used TO tell fortunes, when Twas n
girl, said she.
with cards?" laughed Cora.
mo; by palmistry. Shall l tell
yoursp"
Cora looked at the old lady with sur
prise. Was she in jest or in earnest?
Why did she speak so sharply? Why
did those glittering eyes seem to burn
their way into her very brain?
But Miss Duchesne had been the
school friend of Cora's mother, years
and years ago, and Cora had always
humored her eccentricities.
If you choose" said she, half hest
tating.
'Give me your hand said Miss
Duchesne-''the same hand which you
are one day going to bestow upon Duke
Chesterton in marriage"
Yes" said Cora calmly.
"A white, plump, velvety little hand
said Miss Duchesne, peering SO closely
into the palm that her nose almost
touched the rosy skin. ''Let me see!
let-me-see! The line of luck; the line
OF life; the line of love All, here we
are! Beware Of dark girl. She is
coming between you and the line of
love. She will work you some trouble
yet"
Miss Duchesne dropped the hand,
took off her spectacles, and solemnly
placed them in her pocket. Then she
leaned back in her chair and regarded
Cora intently.
The girl sat as if some new light had
suddenly dawned upon her brain.
"You mean my Cousin Ariadne?"
said she, involuntarily.
"Miss Duchesne nodded.
mean your Cousin Ariadne," said
she. -"Child child! can it be possible
that you are so blind as not to see what
is going on under your.very eyes. That
girl is winning your lover away"
Cora smiled incredulously.
.'Oh, but" said she, ''that is quite
impossible. Duke loves me! he is en-
gagged to men'
"Men are false as Mephistopheles,"
said Miss Duchesne, with energy.
There never was one yet proof against
the wiles of siren like Ariadne Buck
ingham."
"Miss Duchense, you must not talk
so," faltered Cora, with the color vary
ing on her cheek, and startled look in
her eyes. "Ariadne is my geust. Duke
is my engaged lover. /"
SilsntIy Miss Duchense drew aside
the ruby velvet draperies of the window
and pointed to where Miss Leslie's own
carriage was drawn up opposite the
curbstone. Ariadne Buckingham-a
tall, brilliant brunette-in carriage
costum of salmon satin and plush, was
Just stepping out. Marmaduke Chester
ton, bowling low over her hand, pressed
it TO his lips as he assisted her to alight.
''Do you see thatP" said Miss Du-
chense.
Cora burst into tears and hurried
from the room, just as Miss Bucking-
ham entered from an opposite portal,
all smiles, followed by Mr.. Chesterton.
where is Corap" said the brunette,
airily. II hope her headache is better.
We have had such a delightful morning
at the picture gallary, Duke and /. And
we have brought home some exquisite
cut flowers to arrangefor dinner. Where
are they, Dukep Bring them here. l
am sureCora will excuse us for invading
her boudoir."
But Miss Duchesne did not return the
fair Ariadne's smiles. She gathered up
her knitting. made some curt reply
about desiring to be alone, and stalked
out of the rdom.
"Cross old thingr pouted Ariadne.
lone would almost imagine, Duke. that
you were her lover, and that she was
jealous"
She laughed shrill, sweet twinkle
of sound. Marmaduke Chesterton
laughed, also. All that Ariadne Buck
ingham did or said was perfect in his
eyes.
Miss Buckingham's father had lost
his all in unfortunate ventures, and
Ariadne had been brought up on an in
come of nothing per annum.
Every one pitied poor Ariadne, who,
nevertheless, was always exquisitely
dressed, went everywhere, and lived,
metaphorically speaking, on the fat OF
the land.
She had written to Cora Leslie, her
mothers cousin, that she would like to
spend winter in Philadelphia, and
Cora, full of sweet, womanly compass
sion, had promptly sent money for hel
TO come.
IL never had sister," wrote Cora
land am sure / shall love you dear
lyr'
And it was thus that Ariadne hac
rewarded her. The old story owe
again, of the serpent who stings its ben
.efactor.
But, although Cora had been blind
the rest of the world, like Miss Duchesne
were more clear sighted.
Colonel Vavason, Mr.. Chesterton'
n 4. n q. IL