The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1886-05-14
THE crARIoN,s EASTER ISSUE.

devotces would bewail their manifold sins
and wielSedneSs, which tonight, amid the
light and music, flowers and hirtations,
rested lightly upon their consciences. To
be sure, there was here and there a heart
ache buckled down under satin and lace,
here and there a sigh, smothered by smil-
ing red lips. The music Of the orchestra
throbbed on in low undercurrent of
melody, or crashing with fierce passion
drowned the voices that sank hushed in its
softer strains. The waXed floors were like
glass beneath the light feet of the dancers
and the supper room an epicurian delight to
the less frisky
Mrs. Algenon Kesterson was famous for
the elegance of her gatherings. The very
bluest blood of the city went to make up
the heart-bcats of the beauty and manlincSs
assembled at her receptions.
Alas, that the trail of the serpent should
sometimes be found in this earthly para
disc. Mrs. Kestersons one weakness was
a too partial love for her only son, who
was sadly prone to stray into crooked but
alluring paths and to cling with unfash-
the gates to whom he CHANGED to become
attached. 1t Lad happened on one or two
occasions that yielding to his cntrcaties a
black sheep had been allowed to stray in
among the snow-white lambs, to the dread
full scandal of the nuttering ewes. Many
were the glances cast askance at a tall
handsome man, piloted with great care
by the youthful host through the frigid
zone of chaperons to the more cougenal
cline of impressable maidens.
a young couple were standing in the
ball room under the chandelier She, in a
marvellous dress with defiant look upon
her pretty face he, with a dangerous light
in his eyes. and a suspicious pallor around
the mouth that kept the smile civilization
demands. although the savage dormant in
every heart was flourishng tomahawk
'sYou must not dance with him. Nora.
ask it as particular favor" The young
man discrcetly changed his form of adj
AitNN dibti ~ : ltttlt0 1T btif fsttiih ifttN.
'.But I've promised, Harry. Do yon
wish me to break my word for foolish
whim Of yours" She asked
Matters were growing desperate; the tail
man was drawing near.
''You shall not accept his attentions.
Nora, as your future husband, forbid
it,
Don't be ridiculous, Harry. It will
only be short waltz anyway
The tall man was only a few steps away.
'"The man who permits Allen Wood to
clasp her waist shall never be my wife
Harry had thrown the last shred of rca-
son to the winds in his anger, or he never
would have made such mad speech to his
high-spirited fiancee.
AS You please, but shall dance with
the gentleman to whom | have given my
word, and as the unconscious eanse of
their first quarrel offered his arm Nora ac
copied it, With a bow to the inwardly
raging Harry. which was politely returned,
she moved away and was soon skimming
around the room, rather clated and good
deal frightened at her daring deed
The waltz was scarcely finished when
her mother appeared at the doorway, evil
IDENTIFY scenting the danger from the sup
per-room, where Nora had seen her com
fortably installed a few minutes before.
sElenora, come home at once, She eX-
claimed, in great agitation taking no no.
ticc of Nora 5 attempted introduction.
AT oncen she added, hastily, but not in
time to prevent her hayward daughter
from giving her hand in adieu To her late
partner in the waltz, who bent over it in
mock devotion in plain view of half Il
dozen gossiping dowagers, who looked on
in stony contempt.
"Elenora, are you mad ," asked her
mother with suppressed vehemenec as they
turned TO seek the hostess.
"Mcrcy, what can be the matter? Mann
ma never calls me 'Elenora' unless the
ease is extremely serious.
Their adieus over, her mother led the
way to the dressing room, her diamond
pendants trembling like agitatcd dcw-drops
and her head very erect. The ride home
was made almost in silence. The mother
feared she might say too much if she began,
end the daughter remembered, with little
pang, how white and stern lIarry's face
was when he turned at the door for a last
look as she stood cncrclcd by Allen
Woods arm while they waited for the
measure.
Poor Harry! what goose | WAS 10 in
sSt upon dancing with that foolish Wood,
she thought ale does not keep step very
we'll, anyway. Harry must learn, though,
that he cannot control my actions until
with smile and a bright flush swallow
ed up by the darkncss-'unt we are
married Wen make up tomorrow and
I'll promise never to waltz with anyone
but him again.
Instead of the loving and forgiving
Harry, the morrow brought a large pack
age containing all her letters, and all the
little love tokens she had ever bestowed
upon that hot-heatled youth. Having no
further use for them he returned them upon
leaving the city, curt note informed
her
In spite of her attempted indignation,
the very snIrit of Ash Wednesday took