Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1883-03-30
sflclt stOry.
HER LOST BIRTHRIGHT.

In corner ot Madame / Tul-sart s
brilliantIyIighted drawing 70 O M
watching the gay scene being therein
enacted, sat Gertrude Never. For the
moment, she was alone-with her. in-
deed, rare occurrence, since was
both belle and eauty; but "A .light
sprain To her aakl, few days previ-
ous had prevented her joining in the
dance, and the little throns of men
who bad all the evening gathered
ahont her hal for the instant di.ap.
pared. many of them a; her express
command.
The last had fingered. reluctant
still to 90. hen II a'u tired. she ssla.
Il want To be- "a one
He bent. then rom his spl,ndid
height, and With "A glance from his
dark ewes few wom,n conld have re.
sisted, whispered few words III her
ear /: but neither glance nor whisper
brought even momentary flash 20
the lovely cheek or brow. She met
both with a lan.uII indifference
amounting almost t" haughtiness, and
slight shrug OF the beautiful bar,
shoulder
Elsa Is without 4 partner, sle r.
joined. Il like to srs YOU dance 10.
grther Ask her for this waltz.
An angry light kiudled in Frederic
Iioughion eyes, aud he tur, ed abrupi-
IL away. The next moment. Ella, with
pleased flush. Welded herself 10 his
guidance: and With half sigh. though
she knew not wherefore, Miss Meyer
sank back in her cushioned corner a
breath from Elsss perfumed RIB ons
bsing waited TO her rs the dancers
fioaiea by.
Was she ALWAYS 10 receive love n"yer
to return il: Gertrude asked herself.
True, Frederic Houghioa had never.
in words, declared his passion but
every glance, every accent, had been
re2lete with its Intensity. She felt
that he loved her.
How poor and mcagre was the cold
friendship she might offer in return
But, If she determined To smile at
least more kindly. he gave no oppor
tuni'y. Other men focked back TO
70 her side. She had sent him to Elsa /:
by Elsa he remained
One dance followed another, but he
would resign her to no other paJ tner ;
and only an amused CLEAN crept into
Gertrude's eyes as she watched him.
and fancied she read the pique which
prompted his action-a pique which
IN part reflected upon herself. as the
next day and the next passed, until
the week had gone, and still she nei,
ther saw nor heard from him. At the
end of that period she again shrugged
her shoulders, and told herself that
she had forgotten him.
1t was from Elsa, fortnight later,
that she learned his regiment had
been ordered into active service, and
was 10 depart in thr,e days for the seat
OF war.
What should she say to him when
he came to bid her farewell. She
iced not have questioned. She waited
but he came not. He left with his
goodby to her unspokcn. 1t caused
her no real grief, no heart pang. but a
sort of restless surprise, which stirred
some depths whose existence hitherto
had been unknown.
Three or four days later. Elsa came
to her with a sly blush. She had al
ways been the child's friend and con.
fidante. Though in reality but twelve
her senior. she felt herself the elder by
long years.
81 have favor to ask of you, Ger.
trude," she began. "Frederic asked
me to write him. This morning ]
received his first letter. ] am ashamed
to send him my poor little sc ibbling
and at schonl remembered how beau
tiful always were your compositions
and | said to mysef, 81 will go to Ger
trude-she will tell me what to say, .
| love him so much-so very much
Gertrude! | think that he, too, love.
me. | want to breatl into my heart.
perfume that he may know where tt
seek to find the flower itself"
Gertrude looked mp. amaz d
'.1s this love which makes you 50
poetical, Elsa" she asked. 81 ncvel
heard you talk like this before"
''1t is one of your own thoughts
borrowed" Elsa answered, "and who's
uttersnce it seems you had forgotten
But tell me, will you do for me wha
| ask ?"
"You think it will be honorable i?
! eyes, yes! Why not? You Cal