Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1885-07-27
THE REIGNING BELLE.

1t was the great private ball of the
season, given by an acknowledged
leader of fashion, the widow of a mill
lionaire. There was all the usual
brilliancy of light, flash of jewels,
richness of costume.
Two gentlemen, with the slightly
bored expression of habitual frequent-
ers of such scenes, stood together,
criticising rather freely tho beauty be-
fore them.
Il see some new faces" Sidney
CARL said, his eyes sweeping over the
figures whirling to the sound OF
Strass waltz.
'.Some! echoed his companion. II
should imagine SO after--how many
yearsPn
@ Eight. have been away most of
the time; but even the Continent can
scarcely surpass this in private life,
Gordon;" and he turned quickly to
face his companion, his whole tone full
of excited interest. ''Who is that tall
goddess in wine-colored velvet talking
to Mrs. ErskineP"
'You, tool" laughed his companion.
mo one sees Miss Bentley but asks
the question with the Same eager
ness.
''Miss Bentley! But who is sheP"
'She is Mrs. Erskine's niece, for one
thing. She is the rcigning belle of
three seasons, for another. She is un-
disputed possessor of several hundred
thousands. for another.
''And still Hiss BentleyP''
And still Miss Bentley; as cold. as
unapproachable as one of the marble
goddesses in the wall-niches opposite
us. There is romantic story about
her. Her mother, so gossip asserts,
ran away with low sort Of fellow,
who was an Adonis in humble life. She
died early. aud this child was brought
up IN poverty. in a country home, by q
drunken father and an unkind aunt.
1t is no shame To repeat this, since, in
spite Of her surroundings, she grew uD
to \ noble womanhood About six
years ago her father died, and, relent-
ing. left her his entire fortune. Mrs.
Erskine. her mothers sister. already
wealthy, rs you know, instead Of re-
senting her fathers will, Mt once sent
for her niece. put her in the hands of
the best masters. and introduced her TO
society. She became a belle at once.
counts her admirers BY dozens, but
viii give encouragement to none. .
"A society liirt!''
"You were never more mistaken.
Miss Bentley does not exercise the first
principles Of Irritation. She is per-
feet Diana in coldness
Yet wins other hearts, as-she has
won yours.
why should deny itP No man
need blush to own he loves woman
he believes to be perfect ideal Of
Womanly perfection.
'.Ahl''
Something in the tone Of the excla-
nation made Frank Gordon look
searchingly into his companions face.
It was handsome face. It was an
evil face. The eyes were crafty and
cruel, the lips sneered too readily. and
never had eyes and lips more truly be-
frayed their possessor than at the mo-
ment when that ssAh!'' escaped him.
a deadly cold seemed to clutch for
one moment Frank G0rdon's heart.
What did this man know 81 Hester
Bcntleyg What diabOlical meaning
was there in that cold, cruel smilea
While he looked, his companion's
face altered. A look, that was almost
fear, crept into his eyes, and he grew
pale.
Following his glance, Frank Gordon
saw that It rested upon Hester Bent
leyss face, and saw il that face : cor
responding look Of terror, but far more
emphasized
She was always pale, her rare beauty
Of the statuesQue order. but a he look
ed, he thought the sudden ghastlv pal
l0r was more suited to shrcnd and cot
iin than g velvet jewels. and ballroom
glare.
- bird approaches d serpent, fas-
cInateds 50 she came slowly towards
them, seeming 70 move more by mech