The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-07-17


ward things are but types of spiritual
ones ?"
II have no doubt that he has maintain
ep that or similar absurdity," Leonard
made answer dryly; 'and you had best be-
ware, Sydonie, or your passion for mystic
ism will land you in Swedenborgianism-or
whatever may be its modern substitute.
The name once so familiar and so dear
had slipped involuntarily from his lips.
At the sound she looked up at him quickly
with pair of gray eyes thrilling with
meaning, but she dropped them again be-
fore he had finished speaking, and when
she answered him, her long black lashes lay
upon her pale cheeks.
'I forgive you this time, but never speak
to me again like that.
Her tones fingered upon the word "nev-
er" with warning emphasis. Mrs. Brown
ing speaks of an aapocalyptic never" and
Leonard, recalling the phrase, felt that there
might be cases in which the expression was
not overstrained. He had time to consider
its meaning and application, for Miss Mar
vel did not speak to him again during din
ner.
In the drawing-room afterward one or
two of the ladies were amused to watch
Miss Marvels introduction of herself to
Mrs. Leonard Dalzell, and to compare the
two women as they sat talking together.
Sydonie managed the whole business, as
she did everything which fell. to her lot,
with perfect selfpossession and grace, and
without any betrayal of "a consciousness that
she was Observed fact of which she was,
however, fully aware.
II do not know if your husband has
mentioned my name to you as that of an
old friend, Mrs Dalzell?" she said, holding
out her hand to the bride II have known
him for great many years, but it is quite
possible that he has never had time to-tell
you of all his former acquaintances, so l
must introduce myself am Sydonie
Marvel.
Her name created less effect than she
expected. The young bride rose and took
her hand shyly, and rather awkwardly.
II don't think I have heard it," she
made answer, evidently divided between
truth and courtesy "But am very glad
to know you.
"There is a foolish belief" said Sydonie,
gathering courage from the others evident
ignorance and embarrassment, "that wives
invariably dislike and distrust their hus-
bands friends. 1 always deny the truth of
those general statements, and am sure
they do not apply in your case
Beatrice Dalzell said that she hoped not,
and then relapsed into silence. She had
been brought up in happy and conven-
tional home, where society talk was limited
to certain safe subjects, and where dis
cussion of general principles would have
been considered as being in very bad taste
almost as much so as discussion on re-
ligion or politics.
Miss Marvel at once understood her hus-
bands state of mind, and altered her tone
as she sat down by her side on the low
sofa
''I think you met Mr.. Dalzell abroad last
year; was it in Switzerland ?"
'tNo; we were both in the Black Forest
at little village where there was some
very good fishing, which both my uncle and
Mr. Dalzell enjoyed"
"Oh, he was always devoted fisherman;
and you-did you fish ?"
Beatrice smiled, showing row of teeth
as white and regular as her companions.
She was as much amused as child who
is startled at the notion that you do not
know it's nurses name, or some other fact
of supreme Importance to himself.
"No, don't fish, but Alison and used
to work and read together. Alison is my
sister"
"You are lucky to have sister, i" sighed
Miss Marvel she felt sure that now she
had found the note to which this quiet
commonplace nature would vibrate, and she
was little startled when Beatrice bluntly
asked:
"Haye not you one?"
"Oh yes; but we are separated by many,
many miles of sea and land.
Beatrice's face softened into sym pathy;
she had never dreampt that there could be
a division between sisters, wider than the
widest continent, deeper than the deepest
sea, and Sydonie was not inclined to ex
plain. She went on with her interrogative
conversation, which she had her own rea-
son for pursuing.
II hope you enjoyed the Black Forest;
did you stay there long?'
"We left on September 17th-just after
we were engaged" Mrs. Dalzell replied,
with certain pride in her engagement.
"Ah, the country must have been look
ing beautiful then,' and Sydonie made
rapid calculation. Her letter of Septem-
18th must have reached Leonard two days
later, and it must have been while he was
still smarting from the effects of it-or
rather when he was crushed by the sud
denness and bitterness of the blow-that
he had rushed into this engagement. Sy-
donie felt that her heart grew warmer to
her rival.
When the men came up from the din
ing-room, Leonard paused near the door to
look at the two women in conversation with
one another. They formed pretty picture
as the light fell upon their graceful figures.
| No one would have denied the beauty of