The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1885-12-10

and now you're on the way to letting
this 60, too. But let me tell you, il
you do you'll rue the day. Do YOU hear
me-"
''Oh yes. l 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, rs the carriage drove through
the Porte-cOcAere and they alightcd and
mounted the long stairs to MIS- Harri-
mans apartments, Marion felt as
though she cohd b.Jtic no lunger--as
though something had snapped within
her.
A few hours later Mrs Hartman,
with her two n"crs in tow. entered the
awing-rOoms of the American Minis
ter. 1t was one of the largest balls of
the season.
Marion was regrily lovely in pure
simple white. an Virginia looked like
fresh ro~rbmI in hrr lleecy skirts of
pink Mrs. Harr III ms 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 scribbled over with the hierog-
lyphics of desirable partners, she
allowed herself to be led away by an
elderly diplomatist to a 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 TO be
conversationalist of exceptional bril-
iancy; so much so that Mrs. Hartman,
usually the most Argus-eyed of chap
erons, quite failed to notice, after a
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 a quarter OF
an hour. Now, as she passed on the
comtc's arm, listening with a distant
distrait 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 q
curtained window.
Virginia was looking up with n smile
that played in thousand enchanting
dimples about her mouth, and Hilyar'
eyes were bent with a sort of pleased
contemplativeness upon her. The comte
gave a glance sideways, and hall
smile which seemed to express an ap-
preciative apprehension of the situa-
tion.
A pang shot like a knife through
Marion Audley's heart After all, she
asked herself, why not? Virginia was
so true, though she professed to be sc
worldly.
She turned her head slowly, and the
two looked towards her. Virginia made
a sign with her hand, and simultane.
ously Hilyar's eyes met Marion's. There
WAS no look of recognition in the man s
calm direct glance. The next moment
Marion had passed on.
why, it is not possible you did moi
know mat that was Mariou?" cried
Virginia.
The next morning a storm burst in
the Hartman abode. The diploma
fists conversation had not succeeded
in rendering Mrs. Hartman obliyious
to all surrounding persons and thing:
during the entire evening before, and
towards the end of it she had become
conscious of certain happenings, the
thought of which now caused violent
uncorking of the vials of her wrath.
Il had noped better things of you,
Virginia, at least, Whatever Your sister
may see tit TO do. l did not think YOU
would put ali your prospects in jso.
pardy ut the very outset of your career
by making yourself so scandalousiy
conspicuous with a young man who is
Il uonudy-a pauper-"
i'm sure he is not a nobody at ALL -
cried Virginia. Owen Hilyar is well
born and gentleman. And 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 10
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 L don't"
To which Parthian shot Marion re-
piled nothing.
But as the days passed she saw q
change come suUtly over her laughing
little sister. Aud once, having called
unexpectedly upon friend, she fount
Virginia, who was supposed to bt
spending the day with one of Mrs. Har
riman's French acquaintance, deep ii
conversation with Hilyar.
The latter turned q trife pale a
Marion entered, and Virginia Grim
| soned with an embarrassment that wa
absolutely painful. Marion made bu
a short stay. She had learned NOR
| than she wanted to know.
That evening, as the two sisters wen
to their room, Marion said very quiet
ly:
Tell me, Virginia, do you love Owe
HilyarP"
Virginia bit her lip hesitated, the
laughed.
.Well, you're such a Mentor. l sup
pose l must make a clean breast OF
with you. l don't know that l exact
ly love him, but admire him NOR
than any man know. He is so simpl
and manly, so unlike that foppis
Comte de, and all those fellows {
the type of Frank Dutton, you know
And he seems to single me out for a
tention wherever we go and--well.
think could be happy with him rea
ly."
/ You are sure?" very gravely.
Yes, / think l am sure. What make
YOU look so solemn, MarionP''
"A human beings happiness in tn
world is a solemn thing, little ont
Sometimes one misses it before one
aware. That must not happen to yol
Virginia -,
A month passed, and then one evel
ing Marion came face to face with Hi
var at ball. 1t was last breakin
IN for the season, as it were. III
night was warm and the windows stoo
open. People who had been CROWN
languid in their pursuit of social plea
ures of late, were galvanized into ne
life by the feeling that society was dl
banding till next year.
Marion, with a sudden resolution tn
was the fruit of many sleepless night
made a sign to Hilyar and stepped o
stI, .rn.n halonniac-t1nX