National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-08-16


before that evening. Somehow sudden
barrier had arisen between him and tho
idol Of his dreams, which rendered him
slightly afraid Of her.
II was with a great deal Of trepidation
and many fears that he presented himself
on the evening appointed at No. 1880.
When no entered--he was late-he
found himself In the midst Of brilliant
circle of society people Of them
his intimate acquaintances.
And presently no deserted the object of
his search across tho hall, conversing
easily with Senator Roman, the most
intellectual man of his circle.
Yet, IL was Lislc. She was dressed In
n beautiful trailing garment of rich ma
terial which fitted her round figure per-
feotly, disclosing hor lovely throat aud
bare arms. She welded handsome fan
with skilled grace, and charmed the
brilliant senator with her accomplished
art OF listening, as we'll as with her bright
repartee.
Just % Richard approached her, her
hostess advanced from on opposite direc-
ton, and, without seeing him, or not
conscious that no had not yet paid his
respects to her guest, bore her off to some
new suppliant for her favor.
IL was half an hour before Richard
found an opportunity to reach her side.
Then no had only time to give her the
formal greetings Of the evening, 10 hold
her gloved hand one moment, to meet her
calm sweet gaze with reproving, search
ing eyes before she was again called away.
She was social success, and became
immensely popular.
80 naive, so bright, 80 simple and child
like, so cute" were few of the expressions
Richard heard applied to hor, as the
evening wore on.
"a wild rose in q hot house atmosphere"
he thought. How long before she will
lose her freshness aud sweetness, 1 wonder.
All, how lovely sho Is! | never dreamed
she could BIO 80 lovely. Aud yet would
rather see her in her print gown. How
dare these people discuss her so, my own
own wild roso--my loyeW
His eyes followed her wherever she
moved. such easy grace, such an uncon-
scious air OF her own loveliness, such
fine conversational abilities as she poss-
essed. Senator Roman was heard to say
that she was ono OF tho most thoroughly
charming women he had ever mot.
And she was one of the loveliest, 1t
seemed to Richard. Her fashionable Golf
fure, her elegant toilet, the touch of pow
dor on her complexion, completely trans
formed the pretty rustic to a beautiful
belle.
Richards heart swelled with pride and
pain. Why had he been 80 tardy? Why
was she not his acknowledged hance now2
Why, indeed!
He had no opportunity to see her alone
that evening. But on taking his leave he
asked If he might call the following af-
ternoon.
"Yes. she would be charmed to gee
him."
He called at the appointed hour, to find
Senator Roman just before him, and two
other callers came later.
She entertained oil graciously, but
Richard left without tete-a.tete.
He was obliged to return to Albany
that evening, and business detained him
there several days. When no ventured
TO call again he found her gone out for q
drive with Senator Roman.
Mrs. Motcalf, her hostess, entertai ned
him with maddening account of the
brilliant senator's devotion.
"Such success as dear Lisle has made
at once" she said. lam quite charmed,
though / expected 1t. Demure and I'M
assuming and simple as she was at the
academy receptions, Lisle was always q
belle. She would look absolutely plain
some days in her quiet dress and with her
still ways, and in the evening she would
astonish US all by her exquisite toilets
and brilliant manners. The society
youths and the staid old intellectual pro-
fessors were equally wild over her. ]
always thought she would make brill
liant marriage. / have been urging her
for year to como to New York, but she
was fascinated some way with that lonely
country nook where her uncle resides
L am so glad dragged her out of 1t, and
what q handsome couple she aud Sena.
tor Roman do make. Everybody speaks
Of it."
Richard thought that he would 60 mad
before he got away. Would that woman
ever cease talking?
But how amazed he was to find that the
little rustic whom he had feared to present
to his circle Of fashionable friends was Q
belle who had always been able to shine
in society.
He went home and wrote her very
humble little note, asking her to be kind
enough to appoint an hour when she
would BIO at liberty to SEQ him without
her satellites"
He received pleasant reply by return
post, stating the hour whom she would be
foc.Sy "ae PeSeSN w wv hoA oio
friend"
He kissed tho little note as rapturously
as Isle ever could have caressed his let
tiers in her lonely days upon the farm.
Yet,when he called 1t was very stately
young lady who greeted him, with Mrs
Metcalf at her side; and Mrs. Metcal
never left her side for one moment.
Lisle was cordial and gracious, yet
Richard felt as II a thousand miles 10y
between him and this girl, whose charm
and sweetness and worth he had beer
conscious Of for many months. but whose
entire suitability for the station OF hi,
wife he had doubted, or, at least, had
questioned.
And now he would have given half hi.
life to know that he could win her.
Had he lost forever the golden oppor.
tunity for perfect happiness by his tardi.
ness and blindness and stupidity?