The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-07-17
Select Storg.
PLAYING WITH FIRE.
CHAPTER 1.

IO tnoSe Suesls WIN "eio III 'nS S0NiN
Mrs. Featherstone's dinner party on May
3, 18S-, was a matter of no small amuse-
ment and interest; while even to those who
were mere outsiders, and unacquainted with
more than the superficial aspects of fsociety,
the occasion was no ordinary one. Leonard
Dalzell was to be present, after more than
a years absence from London, and was to
introduce his wife-a bride of two months
standing-to that small portion of his
friends who were dining with Mrs. Feath-
erstone.
Those who were not behind the scenes
were vet little excited at the prospect OF
meeting man whose history of Italian
literature had, by rare combination OF
beauty of style and depth of learning, man
aged both to captivate the general public
and satisfy the learned critics, while the
presence of his bride lent certain air of
romance to the successful authors reap
pearance. But to the initiated the occa-
sion was rendered doubly piquant by the
presence of lady whom surely no one but
Mrs Featherstone would have asked to
meet the bridal couple. Sydonie Marvel,
who was sitting so quietly and composedly
in the low armchair, talking with Sir Jo-
seph Towers, had been, as every one knew,
engaged for some months to Leonard Dal-
zell. Every one knew this fact-that is,
every one who knew anything, among whom
must not be included the hostess, who was
only conscious of extreme delight at hav-
ing secured two such eminent personages
for one dinner party.
More than one pair of eyes glanced fur
lively, but none the less curiously, at Sy-
donie as the Dalzells were announced, but
without result, for she went on unconcern-
edly in her talk with Sir Joseph, and only
looked up when Leonard Dalzell made his
way to her side.
She put out her hand cordially andspoke
with certain suppressed enthusiasm which
marked her more emotional utterances.
II am so glad to see you in England
again, and to tell you in person how much
1 have rejoiced in your success,
He bowed gravely in answer; his tongue
was not so ready as hers, and besides, she
had been expecting and preparing for his
arrival during the whole time that she had
been listening to Sir Joseph's common
places. while he had not had more than a
moment in which to compose himself to
meet her.
Perhaps she guessed what kept him 81
lent, for she went on, changing her tone to
one of delightfully."- easy friendship
81 hope you are going to stay, now that
you are back in England. You have been
very much missed. | must own that L
could not bear to hear of your going away
again.
Sir Joseph, overhearing the friendly, al
most affectionate, tone of the little speech,
thought to himself how absurd people were
in talking as if these two had ever been
engaged Why, it was obvious that Miss
Marvel cared nothing for Dalzell-which
possibly was the impression Miss Marvel
intended to create.
1t was a strange experience for Leonard
to feel her hand once more upon his arm as
they went down to dinner together-still
stranger to look down the staircase to the
large hall across which Mr.. Featherstone
was leading the bride in her trailing white
gown. The situation was one which, a
year ago, he would have declared to be a
hideous impossibility, but which now
seemed bearable and even enjoyable. What
words of passionate love, of angry reproach-
es, had passed between him and this wo-
man, who was nothing to him now but a
chance acquaintance!
"You were SO quick to congratulate me
that am obliged to appear as mere copy
ist," he said, as soon as they were seated !;
"but | incur the risk in order to tell you
that have seen and that | appreciate
Psyche"
"She is well hung, is she not p asked his
companion with a pleased smile; "but tell
me, did she satisfy you ?"
Her voice was eager with anticipation;
perhaps he felt certain delight in answer
ing her in half-jesting way.
''Do your own ideas ever satisfy other
people ?" he asked.
"Ah!' she sighed, ''don't wander off
into general statements! l am as vain and
egotistical as of old l want you to talk
about my picture, not about pictures in the
abstract
Something in her appeal touched chord
in his memory, and he dropped his half
bantering tone, and spoke to her in sim
pie straightforward way.
"Well, If I am to find fault with Psyche,
it is the old fault that you try to show too
much. Everything in your work has some
hidden meaning can't paint butter
fy on a rose, and be content with the effect
of beauty you have created. You must
paint them to represent some allegory--
every flower and every insect under your
hands becomes a vehicle for sermon.
You ride the nineteenth century hobby
horse Of symbolism too hard. Take care