The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-01-07
FOiLED.

OF the pure SOUL Ia taufailt DiuSDEs
Aud Egbert Holmes clasped her t,
his heart in an overflow of tender
ness and Joy. as he gazed upon tn
dropping lids and sweet, blushini
face, and already felt the pride Q
possession of this sweet wild fowe
that blooms among the mountains
Lily Vernon was but simpl
country girl, whose greatest happi
ness. ere this. had been in the stud,
VI poetical and classical works. witt
which her fathers library was wei
supplied.
Many a daS was passed by LII
in the deep woods, with no oti e
companion than her books, from
which she would read-or in recit
ing from memory those passages
that filled her soul with their grand
eur and elegance.
1t was in the midst of one of thes'
rhapsodies that Egbert Holmes cam,
upon her unawares, and she fec
like frightened fawn. He har
been botenizing in the woods anC
had lost MS way, so that he did no
know which direction to take t.
re ich his hotel, until The sound o
LiIy's fresh, young voice brongh
him to her presence, and kept him I
spell-bound listener, drinking. as j
were, with tAe eyes of his soul, al
the beauty and purity of the lovely
orator.
Egbert Holmes followed the cir
and discovered her home. a beauti
ful cottage embowered in trees anC
covered with roses and elematis,
fitting cage, be thought, for the love
ly bird which had just flown through
lis odorous doorway.
Our hero was in love, and love, a
all Young people kpow, makes al
things possibilities. Thus 1t was WI
find our youthful friend on the bes
of terms with Mr.. Vernon, the re
cluse, in less than week from thi
time. and through him with Lily hi
only child.
And now our mountain blossom
had given to Egbert her first pur,
love-a love he would have riskeC
his salvation to secure.
They were supreInely happy
needing nothing but each. others so
ciety and their choice poets to max,
this world a paradise. But the ar
rival of a cousin of Lily's from tht
city put an end to this dream of per
feet peace with an unpleasant, and
to Lily, appalling suddenness.
The newly arrived guest, Miss Re
gina Waters. was a tall. graceful
girl, with sparkling black eyes anC
pure olive complexion and lips lik'
ripe cherries.
She had wealth of blue-blacl
hair, which she wound round he
head like a coronet-a style which
gave her a truly royal appearance
She was a magnificent girl, glorious
| IL beautiful; but no more like ou
gentle Lily than her prototype i
like the glowing cactus.
One was the sweet-scented, modes
Lily of the Valley, the other tn
gorgeous Edowane. whose pleasant
yet death-dealing odor steal
away the senses, ere it de
stroys.
She was fine musician and sn
perb singer, and Egbert listened en-
tranced as he turned her music-fo
this dark siren had already woven
net for the talented young lawye
which she meant should entrap hin
although she knew of the engage
ment that existed between Lily an,
him.
What did she care for that ? Sh,
did not intend to marry him sh
simply wanted to be amused dur
ing her sojcurn in the dull coun
/ try.
She was IA confirmed coquette, !
woman without soul, whose great
est loy was centered in "A successfu
/ Irritation, and she regarded Egber
merely as material for amusement
another name to be added to he
list OF c0n9uests.
Alas her game was too success
ful, aud every evening was nov
spent at the piano. in music an'
/ Irritation, by Regina ana Egber'
while Lily would sit apparently
reading, but really grieving hersel
to death for her recreant lover, whom
the beautiful songstress had com
pletely enmeshed in her COLDER
web Lily did not wonder at hi
entbrallment, and indeed she scarce
ly blamed him for it when she bel
self was not proof against the witch
cry of this artist girl, who sometim E
chose to make a companion c
her.
Never did she do this only whel
Eghert was by, and then simply a
a portion Of her plot to enslave tn
young lawyer If they walked Lii
was always asked to accompan,
them. hut the poor girl found, after
few experiments that, IN their en-
grossment with each other they al
most entirely ignored her presencs
aud it required more philosoph
than she could muster to act tn
third party in such case.
At length Mr.. Vernon was take
ill. and our poor Lilv's fond hear
was torn with anxiety for her father
and soon her cheek grew pale ant
step languid, meath her manifold
troubles.
She never left her fathers bedsid
and Egbert began to feel a terri
BILE want of her society. which moth
ing but the choicest songs of the en-
chantress could remove He woul
have given much for day in th
woods with his betrothed. And a
overwhelming sense of his unwol
thiness came over him at these time
which required all the fascination
the willy Regina possessed to max
him forget. even while in her CON
parv
I Lily could Re brave, though sh
was heartbroken and she nerve
herself for what she felt must b