The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-12-17

Frank Dutton. you never had us good
one as this Comte de-. You let
that go-Heaven knows why, L dom Il
and now you're on tho way to letting
this 90, too. But lot Ine tell you. II
you do you'll rue the day. DO you hear
me.
''Oh yes. hear you. aunt" was the
weary reply
She had been through numberless
scenes OF this sort before now. and she
had always held her own. But now,
somehow, us the carriage drove through
the p0rte-c0chere and they ulighted and
mounted the long stairs TO Mis-. Harri-
mans apartments, Marion felt as
though she could battle no longer-as
though something had snapped within
her.
a few hours later Mrs. Hartman,
with her two nieces in tow, entered the
drawing-rooms of the American Minis
ter. 1t was one of the largest balls OF
the season.
Marion was regally lovely in pure
simple white. and Virginia looked like
fresh rosebud in her feecy skirts of
pink. Mrs. Harriman's ambitious soul
filled with qualification at sight of the
sensation the two girls were evidently
producing. And to make her sense Of
triumph complete, there was the Comte
de- approaching and claiming Mar
ions hand for the first valse.
Having assured herself that Virgin
las order of dances was being also
rapidly scrubbed over with the hierog-
lyphics of desirable partners, she
allowed herself TO be led away by an
elderly diplomatist to more retired
coign of vantage, where her nieces could
seek the shelter of her wing in their
unattached periods during the even
ing.
The elderly deplomatist proved 10 be
convcrsationalist of exceptional bril-
liancy; so much so that Mrs. Hartman,
usually the most Argus-eyed of chap
erons, quite failed to notice, after
time, that Virginia was dancing and
had already danced repeatedly with
the broad-shouldered young fellow
whom they had passed in the after
noon.
Not so Marion. She had become
conscious of Hilyar's presence before
she had been in the house quarter of
comte's arm, listening with a distant
distract look upon her face, which the
Frenchman took for the expression of
maidenly shyness to the words of re-
spectful alteration he poured into her
ear, she came upon him standing with
her sister in the deep embrasure OF a
curtained window.
Virginia was looking up with smile
that played in . thousand enchanting
d;mples about her mouth, and Hilyars
eyes wcro bent With cor: q pleased
contemplativeness upon her. The comte
gave glance sideways, and half
smile which seemed to express an APP
preciative apprehension of the situa-
ton.
A pang shot like knife through
Marion Audley's heart. After all, she
asked herself, why not? Virginia was
SO pretty, so unspoiled by the world,
SO true, though she protested TO be so
worldly.
She turned her head slowly, and the
two looked towards her. Virginia made
Il sign with her hand, and simultane-
ously Hilyar's eyes met Marion's. There
was no look of recognition in the mans
calm direct glance. The next moment
Marion had passed on.
''Why, it is not possible you did not
know that that was Marionp" cried
Virginia.
The next morning storm burst in
the Hartman abode. The diploma
lists conversation had not succeeded
in rendering Mrs. Hartman oblivious
TO all surrounding persons and things
during the entire evening before, and
towards the end of it she had become
conscious of certain happenings, the
thought of which now caused a violent
uncorking of the vials of her wrath.
Il had hoped better things of you,
Virginia, at least, whatever your sister
may sec tit to DO. did not think you
would put ali your prospects in jeo-
pardy ut the very outset of your career
by making yourself so scandalously
conspicuous with young man who is
q nouody-a pauper-"
~ m sure he is not nobody at ALL"
cried Virginia. "Owep Hilyar is well
born and gentleman. Aud as for his
being pauper-well, one doesn't think
OF an artists pecuniary position as one
does of other mems. and he is rising
wonderfully. The work he is going TO
send to the Salon is quite remarkable.
In any case. he's an old friend. And
if Marion chooses to turn her back upon
such 1 don't"
TO which Parthan shot. Marion re-
piled nothing.
But as the days passed she saw
change come subtly over her laughing
little sister. Aud once, having called
unexpectedly upon friend, she found
Virginia, who was supposed to be
spending the day with one of Mrs. Har-
riman's French acquaintance, deep in
conversation with Hilyar.
The latter turned trifle pale as
Marion entered, and Virginia erim-
soned with an embarrassment that was
absolutely painful. Marion made but
a short stay. She had learned more
than she wanted to know.
That evening, as the two sisters went
to their room, Marion said very quiet
ly:
Tell me. Virginia, do you love Owen
Hilyar?'
Virginia bit her lip, hesitated, then
laughed.
"Well, you're such Mentor. l sup
pose L must make clean breast of il |