The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1883-04-19
THE TEMPTATION.
BY MARY REED CROWELL.

brightness; the scent of flowers came
down from far on the breezy slopes.
Just beyond the great chestnut trees in
she hollow, the full moon was rising like
agreat globe of pearl. and from her seat
on the piazza, in a perfect little nest of
roses and honevsuckle, Juliet Carr saw
and felt all this summer beauty with
the faint languor of tropical dream.
"Julie!"
Laurons st. Laurens crossed the piaz-
"a. and came and sat down at his b e.
srothed's feet.
"lou look like picture tonight,
dearest. Do you know it?''
"Yes?" she said, with only royal
smile as she acknowledged the compli-
nent.
And she was like picture-fair and
gracious as queen, with blue eyes, and
great coils of lustrous, golden hair, with
scolor on her cheeks softer and more
lender than the blossoms of the pink
soses beside her.
'Hark! who is that?" she said, as a
light footstep sounded in the hall.
"Mrs. Darlington, I think, your sis
ers companion. By-the-way, Julie
what bright, sweet little thing she is!
Such girlish widow, too, and with such
glorious black eyes and heavy lashes and
eyebrows. Somehow. she makes me
think Of one Of those little Southern
birds-a]l grace, sparkle and brilliancy."
II never could account for the
strange taste you men display" Juliet
returned, almost CONTEMPORARY
st. Laurens laughed.
"But, by Jove, she is beauty! And
] tell you what it is, my Fair One with
the Golden Locks if had not lost my
heart so hopclessly to you before I ever
what might have happened"
Despite the positive jest IN his tone,
Juliet drew away the hand he had taken
in unmistakable GOODNESS.
"lf you really admire Olga Darlington
so enthusiastically, do not allow any en-
gagemcnt with me to stand in the way"
"JulieH
Miss Carr laughed strange sort of
laugh. and no wonder: for it was the
first time the bitter draught of jeal-
ousy had been lifted to her lips. How
dare her lover speak in COMMUNICATION
of any women save herself?
That evening she went up to her own
room earlier than usual; not berause she
was particularly tired, but because she
thought she would thereby punish Mr..
st. Lausens-who was fond of moonlight
and sentiment, and delicious summer
cvenings-for his understandable notice
OF her sisters dark eyed hired compan-
ion; and, while sitting at her window,
the sound Of voices on the piazza below
arrested her attention, She liste ned
moment, with her lovely red lips parted
it was Mr.. St. Laurens and Mrs. Car
rington.
"Ah, I thought sop she murmured to
herself 1T would be no bad specu!a.
ton for this poverty stricken widow to
steal Laurens and his wealth in her net.
She is trying her innocent, childish ways
on him now. l..know she is artful and
scheming; but if she dares to come in
collision with me- ! would crush her as
would crush an insect to the ground"
Perhaps an hour later, there came 6
soft tap on her chamber door, and in
obedience to the summons Mrs. CARING
ton entered.
81 beg your pardon for disturbing YOU
Miss Carr, but were you aware that you
had dropped yolr bracelet on the piazza
floor? Here it is"
II am really sorry to have given you
the trouble OF go heightened search, ;"
Juliet said, tauntingly. "Itseems it took
you and Mr. St. Laurens some time to
discover the loss OF the bracelet"
Olga CarringtOn's cheek flushed pain
fully.
eff you would allow me to confide in
you, Miss Carr she faltered. "Mr. St.
Laurens has tod me that"
II have no wish whatever to become
the repository Of your confidence. Nor
do | care what Mr.. St. Laurens told you"
And with chill abruptness she motion
ed Mrs. Darlington from her presence.
II believe should have struck her
in another momentw Juliet murmured
to herself. Il remember as a child my
nurses shrank away from me when my
temper rose, and l think there must
have been the same feeling in my heart
tonight, a hundred times intensified.
when stood there and faced that
treacherous, black-eyed, red.cheeked
woman! Let her be careful how she
comes between me and mine!
Un onscious Mr.. St. Laurens paced up
and down the lawn, TRANQUILITY smoking
his cigar, His thong GIFTS were thoughts
of his lovely betrothed. while she
Julie" he said, next day, do you
know had quite chat with Mrs. Car
rington last night"
II am aware of it." Juliet answered,
indifferently.
"And, by Jove Julie. the little crea-
ture has had most romantic life!''
"Oh, don't doubt it," Juliet said.
turning sharply away. The breeze is
rather strong out here. think shall
return to the library
St. Laurens stared at her in utter be-
wilderment.
II suppose that means she does not
want to talk any more about Olga Car
rington. Well, of all incomprehensible
creatures, commend me to woman as
the most incomprehensible! I hadn't
the least doubt but that she would be
interested, and here she snaps me up
before get dozen words of the story
out!'
It was a week afterward. and Juliet
Carr was coming home from a long walk
She had refused Mr.. St. Laurens' es-
cort on his fern-hunting expedition,
for no better reason than be-
cause she had seen him walk up and
down the long hall with Mrs. Caring.