The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1886-08-05


AS Senator Norton's niece she was
ut once accorded a prominent niche
in society, and her beauty and ambi-
ton did the rest.
She was pointed out as one OF the
most admired bellies Of the gay capital,
and no fashionable assemblage was
without her fascinating pres
ence. She had stepped into fame
much more quickly than she had ever
anticipated, and lived in an atmos-
phere OF splendor and of brilliant ex-
citement that surely ought to have
satisfied soul like hers.
Yet she was not quite happy; what
was it she missed? All Frank and
Franks sincere, manly love- Not
even the devotion OF the foreign min
lister, who, as all Washington knew,
was sure to offer himself before the
season was over, and whom she was
almost as certain to accept, could take
the place Of Franks love in her heart
Once, overcome by terrible feeling
of homesickness, she left the city in
the midst OF one of its gayest weeks
and ran down to the old place for a
two days visit.
"You have changed a great deal, my
dear" remarked her mother, noting
with fond pride the added air OF queen
illness and the new, strange beauty
that seemed to have been gained In
those few weeks. "You remind me
of some brilliant bird just ready tc
take flight again. We have heard Of
your career as a Washington belle
you see. But, my love"-a little anx
iously-"I hope you are still the same
old Cecil at hearth"
"Why, mamma, | was having a glo
rious time in the city, with more so
cial engagements on my hands than
knew how to manage, yet you see
left them all and came down here,
smiled Cecil, evasively.
But after awhile, when Mrs. Morton
spoke OF how Frank had missed hel
and asked her daughter directl
whether she still loved him, after a
her conquests in the city, Cecil al
swered very decisively;
eyes, mamma, do love Frank"
Whereupon good Mrs Norton cea
;, ed to feel anxious about CeciPs life /
the city, and no longer doubted thf
her future would, after all, be settle
I Just as she-the mother--wished it.
3 But to Frank'sown passionate plea'
: ing what could the girl say?
He told her OF all the rumors he ha
q heard regarding her prospective ma
riage with the foreign minister, al
n demanded to know the truth.
"I have thought OF it, Frank" 81
;f answered, with desperate frankne'
j.. since she could not hope to evade /
a searching questions. You know II
d 'besetting sin, as mother calls it--n
IS ambition to be something's leader
,r out in the world OF distinguished M
and women. This marriage y
n spoke OF would be most brilliant {
q portunity for me. did believe, wh
10 there, that | would accept it; but no
mr. since we have met again-Oh, Frank
" she broke off, with sudden passion
,t. her wavering tone, II wish, sometim
il that you could save me from this ve
in ambition, that you could save me frC
al myself, for am my worst enemy!
at 81 will save you, Cecil, darling,
nd you will let me-" he answered, his
m tones full OF love and pitying forbe
NO ance.
or He was patient, because he had lc
slv understood this element in her natr
A. and knew it was all that kept
an from him.
YES "Do not return to the city, but $
WV with us here and become my own v
led at once"
in She shook her head sadly.
the "Not now, Frank" she said rel,
antly, but firmly. 81 must go ba
he there are two or three special engs
ments that ! must fulfil. But a
that will return home as soon as
'o' sible, and then"
'i'e She dropped her head away +
io'' him, and q soft blush suiiused
She lovely face and finished the sentC
- for her.
"Then you will be mine, darlil
'"o said Frank, delightedly, as he pa
'''A his arm about her and drew her
tectingly to his side. "That is tn,
''e0 ly way to save you from that ter
'eiy self of yours" he added playf
'ii"' "You have promised, Cecil?'
; nc Still she did not answer eyes"
her lips, though eyes and blus
SceN cheeks and clinging hands all sa
= ~ for her, and though she meant
~ her heart.
'us" Then she returned to the city,
W well, once in the center Of its
whirl again, the old spell came
Wnn. @no more strongly, even than ever b,