Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1884-07-12

sent her, and detaching a lovely
white bud and spray of lilies
from the wreath, pinned them on
| her shoulder.
Mrs. Spence noticed the change
when she came down stairs, but
thought it best to make no remark
lest another burst of tears might
be the consequence.
The two sisters looked george
Gus, but nothing could make them
look pretty; whilst Nclla, in her
simple dress, cut them out COM
pletely.
Her heart beat fast as they were
marshalled through the spacious
hall into the brilliantly lighted
room where Lady Canterbury was
standing to receive her guests.
The countess gave her a pleas
ant smile, and hearty shake of
the hand, then Nella slipped be
hind her cousins. casting a shy
glance around. She had never
been in such splendid scene be-
fore, and the fash of jewels on all
sides seemed to dazzle her.
Mr.. hyperion, tall curate;
came up and talked to Elizabeth.
Mr.. Midway, young barrister,
asked Clara after her brother, but
no one noticed Nella.
Presently there wasa movement
in the throng, and pair of broad
| shoulders, crowned by a handsome
face, came into sight. AS Lord
Wilton shook hands with all the
Spences, the band struck up Buc-
calossi's lovely waltz, Mon Amour
and, with a bright smile, he bowed
low to certain little form in the
background, and said:
'sThis is our dance, Miss Lest
range
The curate stared. Mr.. Midway
put up his eyeglass; whilst the
sisters grew red with jealousy.
"Where are my flowers 81" said
Lord Wilton, as he led his partner
into the ballroom,
tsHere," looking down at her
shoulder.
"Only those! But where are
the rests Why did you give
them away?"
81 didn't"
"Do you mean to say they took
them y the fierce light returning
to his eyes. She did not answer,
but her lip trembled. '1Never
mind,7 he said, more gently, "they
can't take you from me"
Then he put his arm round her
soft little waist, and they foated
together round the room, the
lights reflected in countless mir
rors, the sweetest music in their
| ears, and a delicious happiness
stealing from heart to heart To
Nella it was like a delightful
dream, from which she would be
| sure to wake in another minute.
When the dance was over, Lord
Wilton introduced her to his
cousin, the Duke of Portsmouth,
a very grand young man, with a
| diamond solitaire as big as six
pence He made her laugh by
his odd remarks, but she did not
care much about him, though every
other girl in thereon was longing
to be his partner.
Towards the end of the evening,
Clara came up to her mother, and
asked her if she shouldn't tell
Eleanor that it was time to go
home. M
| Certainly, my dear. But do
you know where she is?
"With Lord Wilton again"
lowering her voice. 'Isn't it
atrocious
Mrs. Spence shook her head
and sighed.
|
"You cried before you came
here tonight" said Lord Wilton
softly, as they sat together under
the dropping branches Of a yellow
rose in the conservatory. "Don't
deny it, l saw it in your eyes.
Was it because they took away my
fowers?'
Partly" her lashes dropping
on her blushing cheeks.
"Why did they take them?'
"Aunt said I oughtn't to have
allowed you to send them, her
bosom heaying as she thought of
her wrongs.
"But l never asked YOU"