The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-04-17

heart nearly stopped beating at the |
thought.
al have been thinking the matter
over said Mrs Spence gravely, as she |
seated herself on the sofa, that it will be |
better for you not to wear those flowers
tonight
Not wear thems" her brown eyes
opening wide III dismay.
No; we consider that you must
have behaved in forward and unlady-
like manner in order to induce Lord
Wilton to take such liberty as to send
them We do not blame him, but we
blame you, because, Of course, II man
will always do that sort of thing if a
girl encourages him."
II never encouraged him." stamping
her foot
Yes my dear Eleanor, you did He
has known Elizabeth and Clara ever
since he was "A boy, but he has never
taken such liberty with them. Now
don't cry, you will spoil your appear
ance"
II don't care. 1 wont go to the ball
at ALL"
Nonsense, child, you must. Go up
stairs to your room and compose your
self, and I'll send ont .into the garden
for rose"
Nella went up stairs but there her
obedience ended, for she threw herself
on her bed and burst into passion of
4.
knocked at her door and asked If she
might have the boquot as 1t would go so
well with her dress.
Good gracious Nell, the carriage
will be round in half an hour" she
cried in dismay, as she went out of the
room with the flowers in her hand
As soon as she was gone, Nella got up
and bathed her eyes with eau-de-
Cologne, arranged her sunny hair with
the utmost care, and scrambled into her
dress with the housemaid's help. Then
she tossed aside the red rose which her
aunt had sent her and detaching n
lovely white bud and spray OF lilies
from the wreath, pinned them on her
shoulder.
Mrs. Spence noticed the change when
she came down stairs, but thought it
best to make no remark. lest another
burst of tears might be the consequence
The two sisters looked gorgeous, but
nothing could make them look pretty ;
while Nella, in her simple dress cut
them out completely.
Her heart beat very fast as they were
marshaled through the spacious hall
into the brilliantly lighted room where
Lady Canterbury was standing to re-
ceive her guests
The countess gave her pleasant
smile and hearty shake of the hand
then Nella slipped behind her cousins,
casting shy glance around. She had
never been in such splendid scene
before, and the flash sof jewels on every
side seemed to dazzle her.
Mr. Uppleton, tall curate, came VI
and talked to Elizabeth. Mr.. Medway
a young barrister, asked Clara after he
brother, but no one noticed Nella.
Presently there was movement il
the throng, and pair of broad shoulders
crowned by handsome face, came il
sight. As Lord Wilton shook hand
with the Spences, the Band struck VI
Buccalossi's lovely waltz, Mon Amour,
and, with a certain bright smile, h
bowed low to certain little form il
the background, and said with smile,-
This is our dance, Miss Lestrange
The curate started; Mr.. Midway pu
up his eye-glass, while the sisters grey
pale with jealousy.
where are my flowers:" said Lor
Wilton, as he led his partner into tn
ballroom.
"Here!" looking down at he
shoulder.
"Only those But where are til
rest? Why did You give them away"
Il didn't"
do you mean to say they tool
them the fierce fire returning TO hi
eyes She did net answer but her lii
lrembled
, Never mind, he said, more gently
| they can Jake you from me.
/ Then he put his arm around her wais
and they foated together around tn
, room, the lights reflected in counties
mirrors, the sweetest music in their ear
, md a delicious happiness stealing iron
heart to heart. To Nella il was like
delightful dream, from which she woul
be sure to wake in another minute.
When the happy dance was ovci
t Lord Wilton introduced her to hi
cousin, the Duke of Portsmouth, a Yer
grand young man with II damon
solitaire as big as siNpence.
Toward the end of the evening Clar
: came up to her mother and asked he
if she wouldn't tell Eleanor that il wa
4 time to so home.
4 "Cer,ainly my dear But do yo
y know where she is z"
with Lord Wilton again, lowerin
her voice. Isn't i, ..trocious?"
, Mrs Spence sh Ok her head an
l sighed.
"You cried before you came
8 night" said Lord Wilton, softly, as til,
sat together under the dropping branch
( of yellow rose in the oonservator.
n Don't deny it, saw it in your eye
Was it because they took away II
- flowers! =
= Partly, her lashes dropping on h
@ blushing cheeks.
D "Why did they take them?"
f Aunt said | oughtnt to have allow,
a you to send them, her bosom heavil
Il as she thought of her wrongs
" But never asked you.
e "No; but she thought-I- hesiti
/ ing and crimson "She didn't blar
!. you.
r 81 see, she thought you had be