The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-01-07

glided into friendly chat.
Carnforth was delighted; he begged for
waltz, and Minna did not refuse the re-
quest When the dance was ended,
he led his partner into one of the
pleasant hooks in the garden, hoping that
the widows mood would not change before
he could find courage to propose. But her
thoughts were still running on Louis; she
was determined not to throw up the cards.
The first thing to be done was to get rid
of Carnforth; so, he was dispatched to
fetch an ice, much to his disgust. Just as
she was about to leave the arbor in search
of the recalcitrant Fitz, she was startled by
rustic in the bushes near, and voice
Clementinas voice-whisperiug her name.
At the same time, the bushes parted, show
ing the blue dress of the Queen.
"Clementina!" cried the astonishcd lady;
';you here?''
aHush, dear. l have been trying to
speak to you all the evening.
aIndeed?" retorted the other, coldly; II
thought you were better occupied"
's0h, Minna, don't be unkind. Thought
l could depend on your friendship
"My friendship! Much you care for
that, infatuated as you are by that little"
She paused, unable to find word strong
enough to express her feelings.
"Minna, dearest, you are surely not jeal-
Gus of me p
''Jealousl No, indeed don't ad-
mire your pocket Adonis, your duodecimo
Louis Nv" said Minna, with withering
| scorn
''Then we won't quarrel over him, but
unite our forces against the common foe,
retorted the other, with spirit.
''The common foe? What do you
mean ?'
"Just what say, Minna, there is treach-
cry somewhere. Some one is playing me
playing us cruel trick tonight ,
''Do speak out plainly, dear" said the
other, with bitter little laugh. 81 AM
too stupid to guess riddles.
'sCome with me, then, l will show you
something more puzzling than any riddle.
And Clementina drew her friends hand
through her arm and lead her rapidly to.
ward the most secluded part of the garden.
81 saw them go in this direction she
went on, excitedly. Look, Minna, don't
you see blue dress over there p
ayes; but there are ever so many blue
dresses here to-nig ght.''
''Not like that one, whispered Clemen.
tina in her ear. at is fac-simile of
mine"
''Then, it is not you Mr.. Brandon has
been dancing with all the evening ?" re-
piled the other, breathlessly, light sud
denly breaking in on her.
enc; he has been dancing with my dou-
BILE"
"My poor Clementina; but you are
r determined to find out who has played
me this shameful trick" she interrupted
fercely. ''Now, silence, or they will hear
us. Here they come-they are going to
sit on that seat. -
Drawing the astonishcd Minna after
her, Mrs. Somers slipped behind large
bush or seringa, which effectpslly screened
them from view Little Fitz and his fair
companion sauntered slowly down the path,
and, as Clementina had predicted, seated
themselves on a garden bench close by.
There was an air of tender empressment
about the former which at once struck the
eager watchers.
"And you will give that rose, dear Mrs
Somers p he was saying, earnestly, as he
bent over the small ieweled hand of the
unknown.
Clementina nearly cried aloud Oh, this
is dreadful the Adonis was positively
making love to her double before her very
eyes. The fair incognito laughed musically
as she detached the coveted flower from
her dress and gave it to the delighted
Fitg
"Oh, yes, Mr.. Brandon; why should l
refuse you such trihe? [ only ask one
thing in return
Mrs. Somers' heart stood still. Was
she dreaming? The unknown not only
wore her dress, but she spoke in her voice.
Il can refuse you nothing" protested
Fitz, ardently.
'Then tell me why you let that silly
Mrs. Desmond monopolize you as she does.
Come, conide in me; are you in love with
her p
"In love with her p he rejoined, hastily.
aOh, no; surely, dearest Clementina, you
should know better than that.
Mrs. Desmond clenched her hands.
''Oh, the little hypocritel'' p she breathed.
"Then, you" there the unknown
paused and played coquettishly with her
FAM shave some feeling of-of friendship
for-me ?" she finished, softly.
''I have the deepest, the most sincere
affection for you. Until tonight, l failed
to realize how much T.
"And am sure 1 shall always have
sisters affection for you,. interrupted
that lady, sentimentally.
"a sisters affection! My dearest Glenn
entina, that will not satisfy NE. want
the very first place in your heart, want
The listeners behind the seringa bush
gasped How would this dreadful affair
end ? Here was Fitz, the beloved of both,
proposing actually proposing-to an edo
Ion. shadow, unknown somebody, wearing