McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1885-04-30

that one OF the blossoms upon the prec-
ious spray was missing. Yet where in
that surging crowd could she seek it,
and even should she find it, it would
be only to behold it crushed and TORE,
and the diamond gone. Suddenly,
and without warning, Cecil burst into
tears. Her carelessnesS would be the
only reward for her Aunt Aphrodite' s
goodness; but the people were begin
ming to crowd into the room, and she
dared not linger TO reflect over the
unhappy termination of the pleasure
which had caused her so much brig hit
anticipation.
She turned and ran quickly down
the stairs into the dark street, where
the light of the carriage lamps made
the gloom even more apparent. But
John, faithful to his promise, was there
standing patiently upon the pavement,
and beating his arms to and fro in the
cold. But Cecil was in the carriage
| almost before he mad become aware of
her movements, dreaming over the
realization of that long wished-for hap
piness, and weeping over the loss of the
| flower, at the same time wondering
about the littlePrussian officer, little
uneasily, perhaps, who had so persist
emily followed her during the evening.
81 really had a terrible dream last
night, Cecil" said Aunt Aphrodite up
on the following morning as she en-
tered the dining-room, where Cecil
was partaking of rather late break
fast. II dreamed you lost those flow
ers while walking down long, dark
road. | thought you wore them in
your hair for you were going to be
married. But, dear me, who Oh earth
are the girls bringing IN here?" she
said, pausing abruptly in her narrative
to listen to the voices which seemed to
be drawing near the room where Cecil
and herself sat.
Cecil had not broken the news of the
loss of the precious flower, she was
putting it off hour by hour, yet she did
not know for what reason, save that
she was too cowardly to tell. Sud-
denly, and without warning, the door
opened and Alice, accompanied by
Jack ThurstOn, walked in.
''It is quite absurd Aunt Aphrodfte,"
Alice said, .Mr Thurston found
curious flower last night upon the ball
room floor, and he insists upon be-
lieving himself in love with the wearer,
and has avOwed his intention of marry
ing that person who can produce an
other flower like it. He was bent upon
seeing Cecil, Just as if that child held
anything of the kind in her possession.
Now, Cecil, y she said, turning to her
cousin, who had become tritle pale
as she rose from her chair, produce
it's counterpart" waving her hand as
she spoke toward Jack Thurston who
held up white blossom.
Cecil quite REGARDLESS of the eyes bent
upon her, put out her hand with a cry
of pleasure, and took the flower from
the apparently astOnished Jack. There
was an eagerness in her manner that
surprised those present.
at is the same, the very identical
"Oh! Aunt Aphrodlte, thought that
l had lost it, and was afraid to tell
you," and tears stood in Cecil's bright
eyes.
"Oh, dear, DEAR said Aunt Aphro-
dite, ''to think that anything should
have happened to those flowers, and
my dream is out too; but what a Won
derful piece of good fortune it was
that it remained intact, in that great
crash A look of anger flashed from
Alice's eyes" How in The world did
you chance to be the happy possessor
of the flower Jack?' she asked with
an effort to control her chagrin.
Jack laughed. Il always did fiat
ter myself that Twas a lucky dog but
this exceeds all of my good fortune"
he said turning his gaze upon Cecil
81 was dispatched by your father as a
special guard over your cousin during
the evening, to see that she came to
no harm. | saw the blossom fall from
her hair, and naturally picked it up.
That, Miss Alice, is the manner in
which it came into my possession
''Were you the Prussian officer, who
danced with me all the evening, and
who thought was the clever Mr.. Pep
perton?" Cecil asked timidly, then
turned to Aunt Aphrodite with an in
quiring look. Aunt Aphrodite under
stood the glance, and acknowledged,
laughingly, that after her departure
for the ball she had sent note to her
uncle appraising him of the fact OF |
Cecil's presence, describing her GUS
tome, and begging him to look after
his niece, but not to tell her Aunt
Maria.
OF course a few months later there |
was a quiet wedding at the house of
Judge Paddington, and Cecil, the
bride, wore the same white blossom in |
her hair that had caused her so much |
happiness and grief upon the night of
the charity ball. Chicago Ledger.
A Shower of Birds.