The Mineral argus., 1884-05-15

one pointed toward a lady who was
approaching them.
LOU mamma, did you say? WHY
she Is an old acquaintance of mine: we
pent a delightful summer together at
Long Branch. hope she still remem-
bers me-"
Tom went forward to meet the lady.
When a cordial grasp of the hand showed
that their friendship was not forgotten
on her part"
You are a good for nothing little
girl. Bell" Mrs. Tremaine said as she
tapped her daughter on the shoulder
with her fan. "You have been runnino
away from me all the evening! Sit
down, Ar. SeldeD; surely the sofa is
large enough for three, and I want to
chat with you awhile. Bella. where are
your gloves? Why do you take them
from your hands 2"
Because [ do not like to make pris-
ohers OF my hands. See the red marks
the tight things have made upon them
already" and she held them up for in
spection.
o thought as he looked at the dim
pied white hands that he would like
very much to kiss them and smooth
away the cruel marks.
1T is a breach of etiquette, dear"
SAID Mrs. Tremaine; ga lady should al
ways be glovedin a ballroom. Besides,
1t is a bad habit. Had you not been
guilty of removing your gloves you
would not have lost your valuable ring
and the pretty paris glove when you
were here before"
Tom gave a great start and his heart
began to throb violently.
1T was an exceedingly strange cir
cumstance," said Mrs. Tremaine, as she
turned toward Selden. "a very valua-
bic diamond ring was lost here by Belle.
We offered large rewards for it and did
everything in our power for its recovery
but could never find a trace of it. 1t
must have dropped from her finger
when she removed her glove, which she
also lost. Both the glove and the ring
were sent to her from Paris as a seven
teenth year birthday present, and she
managed to lose them on the night of
the same day on which she received
them.
Tom was entirely overcome with this
disclosure, and could scarcely summon
up courage to answer, and to his great
relief a gentleman came up and carried
off Mrs. Tremaine for the next dance.
Tom was alone with the object of his
'omantic attachment. What a puerile
it had been compared with the
owe that wa now Juggling at his heart
"a love not inspired by the possession
II fhn dainty pInvo nny. Af 4lD ,ou~,1a1
ing. He might have worn them next
o his heart forever and yet never have
the exquisite feelings aroused by
he h~alf-veiled yet thrilling glance
hat met his from Bella's soft v%oilet- blue |
yes. He could not tear himself away
rom her, and vet he was afraid to stay,
he should brighten her by betraving
he violence of n passion with which she
lad inspired him.
And Bella, she felt an i~ndefinable con-
Idence in Tom, a feeling of infinite
friendship for him, as if parting from
would be a cruelty. Poor little
.irl! 1t was the first dawn of love in
-er pure young heart.
The evening had passed too quickly
way. The ladies were fast disappear
ng, Mrs. Tremaine, leaning on Harry
1velyn's arm, came to summon Bella
o the dressing-room.
1t was with ditfidence yet with a GER
ain instructive confidence that Tom
rev Bella's arm within his W as she
anne down from the dressing room in
.er wraps to escort her to the waiting
arriage; her eyes dropped beneath the
intense warmth and love of Toms gaze
S he pressed her hand at parting, and
suffused her face as the carriage
rove away from the door.
And now as week succeeded week.
ON Selden was never found at Maiden
Mess business kept him there, for the
weet young Bella Tremaine was so
onesome without him at Westmoreland.
winter passed quickly away, and
l the ensuing spring Tom was offered
very lucrative position in Washington,
ut if he accepted it he would be forced
D reside there. Here a difficulty pre-
ented itself. Tom and Bella had be-
ONE S o strongly attached to each 9TH
that a separation was not to be
bought of, and yet the position was too
1vantageOus to be sacrificed. One
when they were alone in the
rawing-room Tom asked Rella how
ley were to solve this problem. The
tile maiden blushed and hung down
er head, but finally accepted Toms
.roposition that they should be married
nd live in Washington together, in or
er that they again need enter
Tin a fear of a separation.
Mrs. Tremaine was not willing that
er only daughter should be given away
-ithout a splendid wedding. Grandpa
RENAME had come home from Paris to