Mexico weekly ledger., 1883-11-08
LEONORE DALLAS.
BY MARY C. PRESTON.

BY MARY C. PRESTON.
''Leonore, you surely do not think
of going to the ball? The whole city
knows, and-had we not best remain
at homer"
ssNo, auntie our costumes are pre-
pared, and, fortunately, paid for. "
With slow scorn in the clear voice,
I'VE will 60"
Il am in no mood for gay scenes
tonight, child. / wonder you are" !"
81 am not! Nevertheless, Aunt
Ina, we will go.''
The speakers were Leonore Dallas
and her aunt. On that very day the
news had gone like flash of light
ming through the city that Leonore
Dallas, the proud, beautiful girl who
was Arthur Lanes promised wife,
had been beggared by the disappear
ance of her guardian, in whose hands
was all her wealth, and the rumor was
proven true.
She, stood in the great drawing
room, the sinking sun shining redly
on her dusky hair; line of pain was
on her brow, a haunting, yearning
shadow in her grand, black eyes.
Prouder than was her wont she look
ed, and yet a fierce unrest was gnaw-
ing at her heart.
For he had not come. Would he
love her less, that she could bring
him but her woman's heart, her per-
feet life and passionate love?
With the shadow of doubt, pang
fierce as death seized her heart, and
one perfect hand was pressed above ii
suddenly. Then with touch of the
agony she felt, in her Spanish eyes,
she turned from the window.
"Auntie," she said, ''if my reign
is over, I have the desire that Cata'
line had, to fall royalty. None will
look for the suddenly impoverished
Leonore Dallas in to-night's gypsy
queen.
ssNo, dear, they will think you
crushed by your loss"
1.-THE morning may find me so,'
she SAID, half sadly, as she glide6
from the room.
The mask-ball was at its heigh
when, with a proud, free step,
gypsy queen, accompanied by dow
ager duchess. entered.
Her short skirt of black velvet wal
aglitter with fringes of gold and gol
den chains holding tiny bells of Two
ry; her corsage Of scarlet satin, wal
richly roidered and laced will
gold, and from her shoulders hung
scarlet cloak with heavy, glitterins
fringe; jewels shone on her bare
arms and flashed from her flowing
dusky hair, which showered, with bu
a ripple in its splendor, almost to he
feet. And on the morrow thos'
cleaning gems would be all tina
Leonore Dallas could claim of th
wealth that was once her own.
A knight of the timesof Louis XII
stepped forward, and, doffing hi
broad, plumed hat, offered her hi
arm. She took it and joined tn
dancers, while the duchess found
seat apart.
Laughing gayly, pretending to rea'
her partners palm, Leonore was stil
watching, watching passionately TO
Darnly, the worthless husband o
Scotland's fated queen; for in tina
fgarb Arthur Lane was to appea
there, as he had told her; and whe'
she had declined to tell the characte
she would assume, he had smiled int
her eyes, and told her that the eye
of love were sharp, and he would fin
ther, dress as she would.
Was he there? She had finishe
dancing, and was out on the balloon
with her cavalier-out in the spring
time moonlight, which was almos
clear as day.
Lightest of words flowed from he
lips, and her companion was forget
ting all else in the charm Of her pres
: Ience when voices from below brok
i on the air and, looking downward
. she saw descending the steps OF th
lower yeranda q red-cross knigf
: and-how her heart bounded Ian
. Darnly, her lover.
q s.Itis too confounded warm inside,