The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1886-08-05
HER OWN NEMESIS.
BY CLYDE RAYMOND.

"Now, my child, Just one more part
ing word, Don't, / beseech you, let
that besetting sin of yours-ambition
blind you to the true happiness OF
your lifep
And, as gentle Mrs. Norton bent to
press the last loving goodbye kiss up
on her daughters lips, look OF wist-
full anxiety oYershadowed and sadden-
ed, for the moment, her sweet, moth
erly face.
Cecil Norton laughed lightly as she
babe her mother not worry about the
future.
~ shall come home again after my
few months Of dissipation just the
same old Cecil, never fear" she said
reassuringly.
Yet she shrank little before the
imploring gaze OF those earnest, troub-
led eyes and then colored, half-guilt-
ily, as she encountered another glance
that OF Frank Clement, who had
turned back from the hall just in time
to catch Mrs. Norton's last words, and
whose handsome eyes seconded her
pleading most eloquently.
"Why, good gracious judging from
your somber countenances, one might
suppose / was starting for the jungles
of Africa, instead of only to Washing
ton for season." Cecil exclaimed
with laugh and bewitching little
pout, as she turned gayly from one tC
the other to hide her own feelings OF
the subject.
81 almost think it would be better i
YOU were" smiled Frank, half sadly
"for my own peace Of mind" he adde'
in lower tone as he and Cecil passe'
out Of the room together; for he wa
to drive her in his jaunty little cutie
to the depot.
And as he looked at her, erect an
graceful as young queen by his sid'
a lovely picture in her closely-fittin
brown cloth traveling-suit, the soft fl
collar of her jacket nesting SO cosiI
about her pretty throat, and coque
tish little hat half-shading her brl
liant, sparkling eyes, Frank wished
his secret heart that she was going 6
most anywhere rather than to tn
maelstrom OF fashionable gayety al
temptation-a winter in Washingto
Already her pulses were thrillil
with the sense of her coming pow'
Her red, perfect lips unconscious
took on prouder curve; her clei
peach-blossom cheeks flushed with
,ticipated triumph, and her gray ey
fairly scintilated under their shade
ing black lashes but all this she tri
to hide from Franks loving eyes
that parting sleighride together to
depot.
Poor fellow! how passionately
did love her!
And before they reached their d
tination he had talked her into az
tender mood, and she was aim
ready to believe just then that
could resign her cherished dreams
social distinction for his sake.
She was sure she loved him, and
was proud of him too, in cert
fashion,
Handsome, refined, noble-natu
he was, and her social equal in ey
way. But ambition, Of the kind
Cecil worshiped and believed in,
had none.
She knew that he would never |
to shine in the world OF politics
strive to command the notice OF
public in any Of those avenues thro
which so many celebrities contriy
make their way to the top.
No; he was simply man
would be charming home com
ion, an adorable husband-who W
be content with q loving vile a.
cultured, happy home.
But that would not satisfy
Norton. She longed for power
leadership, for the admiration an
plause of the great outside world.
She had always ielt such imp
stirring in her soul She had
queen OF the limited realm in '
she had always moved, and now