The Penn's Grove record., 1884-05-03

1uOuBHGS tuSu q lOOh Va ANSS"
stole over her face, and she brought
her little hands together with an en-
phatic gesture.
ON do itl'' she cried. There can
be no harm in the attempt, and it may
teachhim a lessonl" 4
The Wentworth Mansion on one of
the fashionable streets of New York
was ablaze with light. Sweet music
ioated on the peIfumed air, the dam
GERS danced, and all "went merry as a
marriage-bell."
Irene Wentworth, attired as Undine
in a pale sea green silk covered with
white lace like foam and lOoped with
great pearls, while a snowy water lily
dropped from her floating, golden hair,
was beautiful indeed. For, although
her face was masked, the scrap of
white satin did not so completely hide
her features that she could not be rec
ognized by her intimate friends, espec-
tally Harry Norton, who attired as a
Spanish cavalier, was strikingly hand
some and quite devoted to his cousin.
Late in the evening there was a new
arrival, a lady, who was at once uni
versally dubbed ''the lady i'll white"
She wore a trailing robe of snowy satin,
without a solitary ornament, even a
flower, and her. white satin mask was
so cont ived that it was impossible to
distinguish a feature.
The entire costume in its severe SIM
plicity suggested a disguise, and not
withstanding the exertions of half the
| people present, no one could discover
her identity.
Mr.. Norton was Immediately presen-
ted and danced with the mysterious
! unknown. After that, strive as he
might he could not keep away from her
side.
All others present were completely
ignored and forgotten. He found in
his new acquaintance such a charm,
such grace and wit, such fascination,
that Harry Norton began to feel be-
wildered and not q little alarmed he
was evidently falling in Lowell Norton
was really not half a bad fellow.
He was merely supremely selfish and
self-Indulgent,. and l think that | may
safely affirm that these two attributes
| are characteristics of his sex He had at
tended his COUSINS ball only to 'kill
time" and without any decided inten-
ton to do the right thing, but alasl
there is a certain place which Is said to
be paved with good intentions.
But in reality he did not bestow a
serious thought upon a woman IN the
world save his wife. Only, | grieve to
| admit 1t, he was one of those ~deplorable
specimens, a married hirt.
Well, as l was saying, he found him
self growing deeply interested in the
fair unknown, who refused decidedly
TO give any clew to her identity. He
was perplexed; but the very mystery
rendered the affair delightfully."- excit-
ing, and he began to look forward with
impatience to the hour when, at a given
signal, the maskers were to unmask.
to his intense disappointment and
chagrin when the time arrived and tho
signal was given the fair unknown had
disappeared. He found no more pleas
ure in the gay assemblage, and soon
atterward took his departure.
Harry Norton's trip to New York,
that important business trip was over,
and he had reached his hone again.
Ringing the bell, he was met by the
servant, who informed him that Mrs.
Norton wa in her own
Truth to tell, Harry'S consc ience
troubled him sorely in regard 10 his
late treatment of his wife and he was
glad to be home once more where he
devoutly determined to turn over a
new leaf and alter his frivolous conduct
for the better.
He fastened up. stairs and pushed
open the door of his wife's chamber,
which stood ajar; then he paused upon
the threshold, spell-bound with amaze
ment. There, in the center of the room,
with her face averted, stood the LADY
in white" the mysterious maskerl
She held in her hand a little satin
mask. 1t was the same lady, the dress
the figure, and the gold brown hair
arranged in a quaint old fashion; be
could have sworn to them anywhere.
She turned and'confronted him calmly.
His heart leaped INTO his throat, f + it
vas Clara, his own wife!
1t was a long time before Clara Nor
ton fully trusted her husband again,
or believed in the depth and sincerity
Of his love for her. But he strove SO
earnestly to undo past offences, and
devoted himself theneetorth so assid-
uously to her, that it was not in the
heart of woman to remain adamant
and resist; SO peace and happiness were
restored once more.
Harry is a flirt no longer, and his
wife thinks that he a date his reform