Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1883-06-30

back to contemplate the dazzling Wis
ion with little, satisfied "oh p
A dress of white silk, very long, and
fitting exquisitely, made high to the
rounded throat; white lace overskirt,
looped with white roses; white rose
buds in the ebon hair, and tiny
bunch Of the same at her waist. She
looked like snow.queen-a veritable
frost maiden.
The door opened, and Lenore hut-
tered in, pausing on the threshold with
little, half-frightened exclamation at
sight of the stern, pale face, and the
bright, dark eyes,
She looked like wax doll, in pale
green silk and pearls. Lucia's face
grew crimson at sight of her; she
turned away without comment.
Lenore cTept to her cousins side,
and threw her white arms about her.
"Oh, Luciap, she whispered. 81
am so happy he, Victor, you know,
has asked me to be his wife. Wish
me joy, Luciap'
Lucia stopped and kissed the pretty
face.
"May you be happy she returned
calmly. Then, drawing on her gloves,
she took her fan and bouquet, and
turned to leave the room.
Lucia, you frighten me !" cried Lee
more. "You look so pale and still
Are you we'll, dear p
"Quite well p was the curt reply.
Come, Lenore, it is time to go down."
Down stairs, in the great drawing
room, the first person whom Lucia en-
countered was Major Burnham, Cali
fornia millionaire, "the diamond king"
they called him.
He was of middle age, fat, and pom
pous, but he considered Lucia Grey
the very handsomest woman that he
had ever met.
He managed to secure her for the
first waltz after that they promenaded
through the rooms, she leaning on his
arm, with her starry eyes full Of scorn,
and finally, in the seclusion Of de-
serted reception-room, he seized the OPP
portunity to lay at her feet his heart
and fortune.
Lucia listened quietly, her heart
shrinking with horror from the thought
then, CHANGING to raise her eyes, she
saw, coming toward her, Victor Ard
sley with Lenore upon his arm,
She dropped her eyes, and her face
crimsoned painfully. The major seized
her little gloved hand, and pressed it
to his lips, and Victor witnessed the
whole proceeding. Lucia trembled but
controlled herself.
"At least he shall never know what
it costs me-" she whispered to her. tor
tured heart. Then as Victor passed
on with his companion, Lucia lifted
her beautiful eyes to the majors red
face and quietly requested few hours
in which to consider his fattering pro-
posal
Later in the evening, she contrived
to slip away from the persistent atten-
lions of the major, and, all alone in the
library, sank into the depths of vel
vet armchair, and buried her face in
her hands.
Something made her look up, and
there before her, white to the very lips
stood Victor Ardsley. Her face grew
pale as death.
81 have had no opportunity to con
graduate you, Mr.. Ardsley," she said
softly, 81 wish you all happiness, be-
lieve me"
He started and bit his lip angrily.
81 suppose | may profer my con-
CALCULATIONS, also?' he returned coldly,
gazing straight into her eyes.
II do not understand YOU" she said.
With sudden gesture he was at her
side, holding both her hands in his,
and gazing with wild eyes into her pal
lid face.
"Lucia!" he groaned between his
set teeth, answer me! Do you love
this man, Burnham, to whom you are
betrothed?"
She turned her face away.
"You have no right to ask me such
question" she ulned, coldly.
"But demand an answer !" he cried,
"There is something in your manner
which tells me that your heart is not
his"
She tried to calm her wildly beating
heart, but she might as well have at
tempted to dam the current of a river.
She laughed scornfully.
perhaps Ihad better ask you if you
love Lenore Davis" she sneered.
"No | do not can, at least, be
honest with you! | do not love her.
You know well, Lucia, that | never
loved anyone but you. But Lenore
told me this evening, at sunset, in the
rose-arbor, that you were betrothed to
Major Burnham, and that she-she--
cared for me, and so-can't you under
stand the sequel Z"
Lucia caught her breath with gasp
"Lenore told you that p she painted,
"Victor, it is false Major Burnham
only asked me tonight to be his wife.
When you saw us ia the reception-room
he had just asked me the momentous
question, and l--Vietor, of course |
believed that you loved Lenore--I ask
ed for few hours in which to consider
my answer. do care for you, but,
oh, Victor! Victor I! it is too late Y
He faced her, erect and pale.
at is not too late!" he cried fercely
-MShall we sacrifice the hanniness of