The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1885-01-24

early twilight of February even
ing, she dressed herself carefully,
saying in whispers to her heart:
"He will came back tonight, and
and perhaps, if he is real sorry, we
will make up again
So the blue poplin he admired |
! was put ON, the pretty lace he loved |
nestled against the white throat,
and when all else was dOnned with !
an especial care. Alma bethought
! her Of her boquet. She had thrown
it pettishly into a corner in her AN
ger Of the preceding evening, but
perhaps there was one flower vet
untaded that she could put in
amongst the folds Of her hair Per-
haps one of the scarlet gcraniums
he loved to see against the glossy
ietty braids, was yet bright enough
for ornament Rather slowly the
young girl went to the corner where
the flowers lay upon the floor, and,
lifting them, sat down to search for
one fresh one. Not one was there,
but, us the faded leaves fell from the
bare stems, she saw that there was
something glittering tied securely in
the heart of the bouquet. Wonder
ing, she united the jewel and slip
ped it upon her finger. 1t was IL
ring Of quaint device, two hearts
of pure gold, joined by Il turquoise
forgct-mc-not, in the heart of which
nestled sparkling diamond. Some
thing as clear and bright as the dia-
mond cleaned, for moment, ON
Alma's cheek, as she softly pressed
her lips upon the jewel. "Dear Leon,
how much he loves me. Oh, if |
could be all he wishes, and keep
down this hasty temper of mine"
Already the quarrel had become a
matter of deep regret, and the warm
little heart was ready for reconcilia-
ton, when the tea-bell put an end
to Alma's day dreaming
She was spoiled little beauty,
, this warm-hcarted, quick-tempered
Alma Crofts, mothcrless from her
infancy, the idol of loving father,
t the belle of her native town, with
D whom no one could be angry spite
of her thousand caprices. From the
, time when Aunt Mercy gave her the
Coming out" party, and thus intro
duccd her to society, Alma had been
t the centre of attraction in all the
| gatherings amongst her large circle
e of friends. Her piquant beauty, Il
;, perfect brunette in the ietty glossy
t hair and great black eyes, her com
), pleXion rivalled that of the tuirCst
t blondes and her tiny graceful little
$ figure was full of life as that Of a
t fairy. The object of admiration, anC
r the recipient of attention from I
Il number of gentlemen, whom sh,
II was accustomed to meet i'll society
Alma almost unconsciously grew
d coquettish in manner, distributing
= her smiles and favors freely, and ac
cepting many offerings which ON,
more sensitive about encouraging
It attention would have declined
it That she was vain, giddy, and co
quettish all could see, but only I
l. few read the promise Of nobler an,
c better impulses under this world,
Il surface.
: Leon Harris was one of the fey
g who could penetrate the crust, an,
e read something of the warm, tru
1t heart beneath, that only needed
n some strong motive to wake IT t
'e life. He, with his grave, reserve,
le nature, seemed strangely unfit t
1t mate with this butterfly, but, wit
i the Inconsistency Of love, he CAV
re his whole heart into her capriciou
&c keeping, hoping that an answerin
h. love would rouse the nobler portio
rs of her nature. But he was too cage
g, for the change that could only b
a wrought gradually. Accustomed t
lie so much adulation and attention
a Alma found it difficult to give Il
| the unmeaning civilities so Ion
re given to her. She loved Leon trul,
recognizing all the noble, high attr
ed butes of his nature, but she wa
worried into pettish resistance b
so his too often attempts to mould HI
nd into the quiet, reserved woman /
k wished to see her.
el Two loving hearts united by Il
lat attraction of opposites, Leon an
Alma needed only patience to b
come, each, what the other most d
nm sired. Time, the fashioncr, wou
no have laid his finger on each heal
nd tearing away something of the col
nd reserve of the one, and the gay va
ta- ity of the other. But they we
ch young and impatient, and while t
be one wished to wrench the other su
ne denly and torcibly from all old ass