Daily Republican., 1884-05-23
TOO LATE.
BY GUINEvERE.

stretch of pebbly beach and the rip |
pling, blue water. of Chelsea Bay.
The carpet presented pretty design |
In cream and pale blue, flowing lace
draperies swung from gilded bars, the
pretty willow furniture was touched
with CLEAN Of gold here and there,
and threaded with azare ribbons.
In one Of the low chairs Sat hand. |
some, aristocratic-looking woman In a
pale gray princess robe, with square
Of delicate lace on her silvery.gray |
braids.
He, dainty, jeweled hands were
fashioning pink rosebud on q strip OF
creamy plush; but a. the lace draperies
were drawn aside, and pretty, blonde
girl stepped from the balcony, she drop
ped her work and looked up with anx.
iOus face.
Georgie Bancroft's eyes were dark
with excitement, and her thin, red lips
were com pressed unp.easantly.
"My dear George, what has hap
pened ?" asked the elder lady, solicit
ously.
"Who do you think has just passed
on the driveway ?" asked George, has
lilly.
Was 1t d udley?"
eyes, it was Dudl and his compan-
ion was the daughter OF one OF the poor
cottagers beyond the cliffs. You know
who mean, Norma Selden, the little
black haired girl for whom Dudley
seems to have a decided penchant.
Mrs. Warner, it was a direct insult to
me, and 1t is not the first time your son
has slighted me for that beggar
George was almost beside herself
with Jealous passion. Her white fin
gers worked convulsively and an omt-
nous frown darkened her fair face.
"Oh, George, dear, be calm," en-
treated Mrs. Warner. Dudley means
no slight, assure you, and she is but
a child. Her wit and originality may
have amused him, but that Is all.
For my part, would rather he would not
stoop to such companiOnship, but to
compare her to you--it is simply ab-
surd %
"If she is child she is very, very
pretty" sale the blond enviously.
"A wild, uncultivated beauty. 1t
is folly for you to regard her otherwise
than a simple, untutored child as am
sure nv son does. When Dudley re-
turns | will demonstrate with him. when
he hears that 1t was you who -
"Don t mention me, Mrs. Warner" !"
interrupted George, hastily, flushing
at the thought that Dudley should
know Other foolish envy and Jealousy.
every well, I will make the re-
quest for myself, aud you will be an
noyed no longer by Norma Selden.
Dudley always admired pretty chill
dren, rich or poor, but my will Is his
law.
George went back to her seat on the
balcony, trihe conciiiated, but there
was still dsagreeabe curve of the red
lips, and her eyes followed the wind
ing road leading beyond the cliffs to
the humble cottagers' homes.
"A mere child !" she thought, con.
temptuously i" she may seem that to
Mrs Warner, but ! am not 30 easily
deceived She is base, designing
creature, aud if she crosses my path let
her beware"
And q look of hatred and yindictive-
ness settled upon her face, marring Its
fair blonde loveliness, that with ell Its
delicate features and tints, could not
compare with the dusky beauty OF the
cottager's daughter, Norma Selden.
BY and by George started, and her
blue eyes followed with intense aaze q
pretty phaetOn that appeared round the
cliff road, with solitary occupant.
Nearer it came, and then she saw
that Dudley Warner was not the driver;
he had returned his carriage by one OF
the cottager's sons, and remained with
1.-The companion of his afternoon drive
The color faded from Georgie's face,
and the lurid light Of jealousy leaped
again into her eyes.
:" III be revenged for this" she
thought, bitterly. "My turn will
come yet
But she little dreamed how near at
hand that time was, nor how soOn she
would be called upon to fulfill her
threat.
On the other side Of the cliffs, mar
row path led to the summit of the
rocky heights above the bay, where
tho water dashed against the rugged
stone, lashing itself into sparkling
Ifoam.
From the top of the highest cliff, Dud.
ley Warner looked down moodily.
"'A step into eternity" he quoted,
land drew back with little shud-
der.
There was strange look Of sadness
on his handsome face, and as Norma
stepped towards the grassy edge, he
caught her arm and drew her back
"Don't go too near it, 1t Is perilous,
lhe said, and she looked at him with
a look of surprise in her great dark
|eyes.
Then her scarlet lips parted In a
smile, and she tossed back her head
carelessly.
"Why, how fearful you are ?" she
said. "There is no danger there un.
less one is extremely light-headed,
which l am no.. have climbed the
lcliffs since childhood, and often stood
on the very edge watching the water
below.
"since childhood" Dudley repeated
meditatively. Norma, you are but
child now"
| She retreated from him and drew her.
self up proudly. -,
"Do I look like child ?" she asked
archly. .
What else could he call her? A
slender girl in short skirts, with dusky
curls ripping over her shoulders, an
innocent, childish face, with starry eyes
and sweet, smiling lips
Dudley turned away with low sigh,
and covered his face with his hands.
In an instant the light faded from
- Norma's face; 1t grew sad and tender
and she went to him timidly.
"Mr. Warner, what have l done -:
Are you offended ?" she asked softly
Then without warning, he turned
suddenly and clasped her in his arms
pressing quick, passionate kisses on
the flushed cheeks and red, quiverine
Hips.
sionately. Norma, Norma, forgive
me, it Is the last time"
:, She drew herself from his embrace
and looked at him with dark, wonder
ing eyes. Her bewilderment had giveI
Z way to feeling Of dread at the omi
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