Barbour County index., 1884-02-22

'.By the way, Mr.. Massey, twe friends
Of mine are coming tonight with whom
want to make Grace acquainted, for
they live next door to you. and they are
oh. there they are."
She withdrew her hand from his arm,
and went to meet two figures descend
ing the staircase. Philip stood below
in the hall and watched. The figures
were tall and slight, one dark and
one fair. AS they came downstairs
and stood speaking to Thekla, the
young man almost rubbed his eyes in
establishment and doubt. Could it.
was it--yes, that was most certainly the
bright hair and sweet face of Mabelle
Fairfax, and that other-his eyes few
quickly toward her-yes, he instantly
recognized the strange and beautiful
face; the pale. creamy-white complex
ion; the long, velvet soft, almond
shaped eyes. with their fringe of curved
lashes; the low, white forehead. with
the dusky hairrippling in natural waves
across it. How beautiful she wasl In
stead Of moving, lie stood rooted in his
place. watching them with n grave,
earnest intentness. They did not ap-
pear to see him: Thekla was talking
rapidly.
$50 glad you have comet began
10 think YOU were going to fail us, and
j should have been so disappointed. be-
cause Miss Massey is here, and"
Philip. still looking at the group oi
girls. encountered most distinctly at
this moment a slow, seemingly casual
glance from the beautiful ewes before
sp oxen Of. Heavensl he thought, what
eyes they were! That look set his heart
beating, and all he was conscious OF
was the eager hope that Thekla would
remember that Grace had brother
and Introduce him. Thekla did so al
this moment
miss Massey. you know, of whom
spoke to you; she lives next door &c
you, with her brother. and is gredi
friend of mine" (Three days ac-
quaintance with congenial spirit suf.
feel TO turn any of Thekla's favorites
into n great friendly "And want you
to know her. Meanwhile, let me intro.
duce her brother"
The whole trio turned. and another OF
those slow, fascinating regards was be-
slowed upon Philip.
Mr.. Massey. Miss Fairfax, Miss Ma.
belle Fairfax, old friends of ours, who
have just come To live in Irkford. >
Philip bowed profoundly. slowly, pro
longing the salutation in part because
he suddenly felt himself tongue-tied.
Mabellc said nothing, hut Ecr cheek
dimplcd, and there was smile in heI
eyes. Miss Fairfax did speak. saying:
q A I..F M,. 4
his sister go past our lod !ings seyera'
times
well. let us 60 and find his sister,"
said Thekla. ''Shall we 60 into th,
drawing-room. or-oh, Mrs. Leci"
She advanced to receive 4 batch o.
fresh arrivals, and Philip found himsel
alone with the Misses Fairfax.
Have you lost any more books since
/ last saw you?n was the only thing
Philip could think of as an opening PC.
mark.
81. nor' said Mabellc, laughing. I'll
was MIR. Massey, Angela, who carricC
my books for me that day-don't yor
remember"
''I think -" began Angela, wher
Louise, the youngest daughter of the
house of Bcrghaus. came rushing up
and claimed Mabclle with much iubila
tion as her own. They vanished, anC
Thekla was still receiving new arrivals
"Shall take You into the drawing
roomP" asked Philip, offering his arm
TO Miss Fairfax.
A smile, melancholy, but very sweet
crossed her face, as she said, raising
her eyes in an appealing manner which
led one to think ''Iow beautiful anC
how helpless
Thanks, If you DO not mind"
The answer, after the appealing look
might have struck cavalier as some
what tame, but Philip only saw tn,
magic of her eyes, and heard the pa.
thetic softneSs of her voice.
They went into the drawing-room
which was half full of people.
"Do you know any one herc?" asked
Philip.
mot creature. except the Berg
hauses. l am perfect stranger in Irk
ford
"And what 10 you think of it?" h,
inquired again.
They were seated now on a settee in
corner. Miss Fairfax shook her head
with the same melancholy, bewilderins
smile. and raised her eyes again slowly
as she said, with a sigh:
al do not like il. | must try to ge
accustomed TO il, rs il will most likel,
be my home for the rest of my life, anC
have heard that il is not wise to quar-
rel with ones bread and hutter-ore ever
with one dry crusts," she added in ar
underione.
The rest of your life?" echocC
Philip, immed ately deciding that sh,
was engaged To some fellow whose busi
ness was at Irkford.
Why had he not thought before o
such an obvious possibility?
'1es; the rest of my lie. After mis-
fortune srch rs have gone through
the merest shelter seems like palace
and one clings to IL. and fesrs to lose il. '
Philip looked at her with respectful
sympathy on hearing these mysti,
words. his curiosity, his admiration anC
commiseration all on fire. He was
quite unconscious that he was gazing n
Miss Fairfax in asmanner more inten
and prolonged than il usually though
desirable upon ten minutes acquaint
ance. But how was il possible To helI
it, with the tones OF that sweet anC
melancholy voice echoing in his ears
with that beautiful, pale face, thos,
mysterious, dreamy eyes, and that pen
sive, low white forehead sonstantl,
turned toward him? Her voice, hei
looks, her very proximity exercised {
strange. sudden. subtle fascination ovei
him, more like intoxication-more like
the effects OF some potent drug thar
like the gradual drawing into intimacy
friendship or love with some ordinary,
mortal woman.
''Whatever may have happened in tn,
past, / am sure you are not doomed Il
live In Irkford all your life.' he said
though half an hour ago doomed
would not have occurred to him as tn,
most appropriate word with which tC
describe residence in Irkford.
Again the strange, melancholy smile
slow shake of the head. and raising G
the eyes.
1t does not bear talking about. y
u n