Mexico weekly ledger., 1884-02-21

She stood in the drawing room, the
sun shining redly on her dus-
ky hair; line of pain was on her
brow, shadow in her black eyes.
Prouder than her wont she looked,
and yet fierce unrest was gnawing
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 love?"
"Auntie," she said, ''if my reign
is over, 1 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.
mo, dear, they will think you
crushed by your loss
The morning may find me so,
she said, half sadly, as she glided
from the room.
The mask-ball was at its height
when, with proud, free step, gyp-
sy queen, accompanied by dowager
duchess, entered.
Her short skirt of black velvet was
aglltter with fringes of gold and gol-
den chains holding tiny bells of ivory !;
her corsage of scarlet satin was richly
embroidered and laced with gold,
and from her shoulders hung q scar
let cloak with heavy, glitterlng fringe ;
jewels shone ON bare arms and flashed
from her flowing, dusky hair, which
showered, with but a ripple in its
splendor, almost to her feet. And on
the morrow those cleaning gems
would be all that Leonore Dallas
could claim of the wealth that was
once her own.
A knight of the times of Louis
NIII stepped forward, and doffing
his broad, plumed hat, offered hel
his arm. She took it and joined the
dances, while the duchess found s
seat apart.
Laughing gayly, pretending to reat
her partners palm, Leonore was still
watching, watching for the good St
Valentine for in that garb Arthur
Lane was to appear there, as he hat
told her; and when she declined t.
tell the character she would assume
he had smiled into her eyes, and tolt
her that the eyes of love were sharp
and he would find her, dress as sh
would.
Was he there? She had finished
dancing, and was out on the balloon,
with her cavalier.
Lightest of words flowed from he
lips, and her companion was forget
ting all else in the charm of he
presence when voices from beloy
broke on the air and, looking down
ward, she saw descending the step
of the lower veranda a red-cros
knight and her St. Valentine lover.
sit is too confounded warm in
side," said the knight, in petulen
tones, land the affair is a complet
bore. l have failed to recogniz
anybody"
Thanks" was the reply, IN til
voice which she so loved. "Thanks
Sanford, you recognized me. But
then, Pm not Miss Montague.
also, am seeking for one 1 have ne
found as yet
You mean Miss Dallas. BY tt
way, Lane, is this rumor true that oil
Brent has absconded and taken he
money with him? They told me
for fact, and that your engagemel
was broken. That's not so, is ii
I'D never respect you if it was"
i Leonore bent over the railing, no
ding her breath to hear the repl.
The life of her youth was at stalk
and she forgot everything in the an
iety of listening.
Stamford came the answe
"does the world say that? Then te
it from me that my engagement wit
. Miss Dallas is not broken by the fl
r of her fortunes. Tell it l loved he
not for her wealth, but her worth
and since she has not changed, 10y
her still, and she is still my promise
. bride. was called from the cit
yesterday, and only returned this e
ening. The rumor met me almost
the threshold, and I FASTENED to h
Ito learn that she had just left for t
ball. | have sought her among t
5 guests, but failed to find her. Sta
ford, can you help me?"
Leonore heard no more. Wi
i hands clasped closely above h
} breast, and eyes full of thankf
tears, she turned to her cavalier.
"Oblige me-" she said, "by soi
e to the lower veranda and sending
d Valentine here. must see him ii
,e media.ely."
. "Lady, you sent for me:"
l. She turned, holding out both hant
a. He drew back a step, not touchi
- them.