Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-09-21


but it required all his nerve to go through
the ceremony of shaking hands and
speaking to her. He had never seen hel
look so respiendently lovely; indeed
| he had never seen her in full dress before
How in his Utmost heart he worshiped
her matchless beauty.
Clare felt the old thrill Of pleasure
pass through her being at the touch of his
| hand, and regarded the young lady OF
their party, Miss Gordon, with a strange,
peculiar interest, wondering if it was
love for her which had estranged him
| from herself, for observation had con-
WINGED her that jamie Thompson's tales
about his love for her were false.
The evening wore on and the party had
all assembled, when Mrs. Houghton ex-
cused Clare from her place by the side of
her and she mingled with the surging
multitude. She attempted to seek her
mother, but was long in finding her way to
her, for she was stopped at almost every
! step by gay and laughing crowds, who
| would fain draw her within their circle.
| She was leaning on Franks arm, having
asked him for it in whispered tones be-
fore leaving Mrs. Houghton's side. She so
| much preferred him to the gay strangers
/ who were about her, a beYy of whom,
! however, attended her steps. They had
made their way through two rooms and
| were about entering a third when she saw
| Mrs. lie Verrier and Miss Gordon sitting
| almost alone in the crowd. She Joined
/ them without observing that Mr.. lie YER
! rier was also approaching them, and about
! taking seat which he had apparently
! only just left vacant. She did not turn
! aWayt though she felt considerable trepi-
| dation, and could Mrs. HoughtOn have
seen her then she would not have deemed
any rouge necessary on her cheeks.
Clare introduced Frank to Miss Gordon
as "Mr. HOughton, my COUSIN" laying
a peculiar emphasis on the words.
81 am going to rest here awhile" she
| said to Frank, ''and will excuse you from
! farther attendance"
He Immediately offered his arm to Miss
Gordon, ana asked her to take stroll
! through the rooms. He was attracted by
| her pretty face, but moved more by po-
| likeness, for he thought she did not seem
! to be enjoying herself. Clare seated her.
! self and entered into conversation with
! Mrs. lie Verrler.
81 felt in coming here" said Mrs. LIE
! Nerrier, ''that it was almost absurd for a
lady of my years to visit a scene so gay as
! knew this would be, but L see persons here
/ of both sexes who must be twenty years
! older than l am, yet who seem to enter
| INTO it with all the zest of youth. Arthur
| told me it would be so when he was over
ruling my objections to coming"
'Yet l often WONDER" Glare remarked,
show even young people can get so carried
away with such frivolity. ] can under
/ stand how one can enjoy a thing of this
kind occasionally, but with frequent repe-
| tition 1t must pail upon the senses, and a
! few hours quiet converse with a cOngenial
| friend must give more real pleasure than
a dozen SUCH"
Il have mingled so little in gay life,"
said Mrs. LIE Verrier, ''that it is not
| strange | care so little for it. Probably
! those who are bred to such dissipation, if
may call it by that name, cannot we'll
! do without tive are such creatures of
| habit"
yet auntie was not bred to it. Her
early years were passed in the country,
and she never entered upon gay life until
| after her MARRIAGE period when most
| ladies are ready to give it up-still she
! loves it better than her daily food. She is
| perfect anomaly to me. She has a warm,
| attectiOnate heart, and is fun of generous
! impulses. She loves her family and is
| anxious for their happiness, but never APP
! pears to find her own in ministering to
| them more than to others. She lives en-
! phatically in the world and for it. Most
| persons who do so grow vain and selfish
she is neither. She is never enVious Of
the beautiful, and will do anything to
bring forward into notice fair debutante,
would fear a rival in her."
Mrs. HOughtOn is a very charitable
woman" replied Mrs. lie Verrier. "Her
| liberal benetactiOns are known to every
one, not that she makes them known on
purpose, but the poor are ever sounding
her praises, and it is only necessary for
them to make their wants known to her
when she relieves them Immediately. l
have long been acquainted with your
aunt, and l have never known any person
more universally beloved
Clare was a gratifed listener, for she
| loved her aunt, yet she all the time felt
as If her inordinate fOndness for society
was a weakness in her.
Il wish you knew my mother" she said
to Mrs. lie Verrier; ''yOu would find her a
kindred spirit"
81 have so often heard Arthur speak of
her that l almost feel as if l really knew
her. He has frequently said the same thing
to me-that she and Iwere kindred spirits
and if you knew how highly he regards
his mother" she said, looking fondly at
him, ''yOu would understand how great
the compliment is which he pays Mrs.
Honfieur in thus CHASING her."
''She promised to be in the crowd to-
night, and was seeking her when came
upon you. | had up to that time been look
ing fruitlesslY, and was so wearied was
glad to sit down."
''If you would like to continue the
search" said Mr.. LIE Verrier, 81 will es-
cOrt you, and we viii find your mother
and bring her here. ! want so much that
my mother should be acquainted with
her" "a
''And shall we leave you alone while
we gor' said Clare, turning to Mrs. LIE
Nerrier.
Certainly she replied. 81 can amuse
myself watching the crowd"
bo off
How natural it seemed to place that
| trembling hand upon his arm once more;
| he too betrayed a consciousness that it
| was no ordinary privilege he enjoyed in
| being permitted thus to walk with her.
He pressed the arm to him closely and
| came near forgetting himself. and taking
! the little hand in his as he had so often
done in their long walks in the country.
| Full of blessed memories as they both
were, neither wished to break the spell by
! speaking, and they edged their way
| through the crowd of people en- route to
! the library, where Clare thought she
! would be most likely TO find her mother,
as there would be less of a crowd there
than in the parlors or MUSHROOM or
| dancers halls.
They met Mrs. Houghton with her crowd
| of admirers.
sWhat, Clare, only one gentleman with
! you? l shall have to give you part of
| my galaxy"
II have not your talent for entertaining
| them, auntie. l fear they would not stay
with me very long"
| Miss Clare had an assemblage around
] her, but she seated herself to entertain
| mother" said Mr.. lie Verrier, land one
by one they dropped away and sought a
/ gayer circle"
! 'DO you know where mamma is?' in
| CURED Clare.
! Il have not seen her this evening"" was
/ Mrs. Houghton's reply; ''but have not
moved about much" AS Clare was about
! going forward Mrs. Houghton said: do
! not put yourself too far out of the way.
/ The band will commence soon, and you
| know you are to open the ball"
"Oh, auntie, l thought it was under
| stood that you had excused me from this"
''No, indeed. l could not possibly do
\ that. l supposed you had engaged your
partner. If you have not [ will settle
! that matter for you. Several gentlemen
| have begged me to intercede for that
! honor"
Clare went on with Mr.. lie Verrier
without replying, annoyed at being placed
/ in such a conspicuous position.
s'May l ask who is to have the honor of
acting as your partner in this dance@' in
quired Mr.. LIE Verrier.
81 have made no engagement. did
NOT inland IN dance at any rate not TO