Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1888-08-04
WAITING.
BY JEFFIE FoRBUsH HANAFoRp,

Tell me, Iona, do [ look prettye
Iona Melborne glanced up from her
sewing as her sister entered the room
and asked the above question. What
she saw was indeed vision of lowell
ness, form perfect in its rounded
outlines, fair. witching face full of an
imation, with bright, laughing brown
eyes and thick, short curls Of sunny
brown hair.
This was Grace Melborne. She was
dressed Ill lovely costume of cream
white mans yelling, trimmed with
Spanish lace.
Yes, trace, dear, you do look love-
ly. ana do hope you will enjoy your
self as much as you anticipate
Thank you, Lona," said Grace,
crossing the room to the dressing-case,
and, opening a little jewel box, took
from it handsome locket set with dia-
monds and sapphires, and returning to
her sisters side, she said: Dear Iona,
Will you Please let me wear this locket
tonight do so want to wear it, and
1 vii be so careful of it,"
Iona hesitated, but how could she
refuse the lovely pleader. So at last
sho said:
When you are ready, dear, will
fasten it on"
Grace thanked her sister with kiss,
and left the room. When the door
closed behind her, Iona walked over
to the window, and, seating herself,
leaned her head against the cushion of
the chair and pressed the locket to her
lips.
"Oh Cyril, Cyril, are you false to
me! Five years ago you promised to
return to me, and l have not heard a
word from you"
Pressing little hidden spring, the
lid flew open, and q handsome boyish
face was revealed. Iona looked at it
long and earnestly. How we'll she re-
membered the time when she was q
happy, hght-hearted girl of twenty,
and life seemed such a blessing. Now
-. we'll! everything was different
now.
Hearing her sisters step in the hall,
Iona hastily brushed away her tears,
and went to meet Grace. Clasping the
chain around her sisters white throat,
and telling her to be sure and not re-
fnain too late, she conducted her to the
door, where the Van Cleves' carriage
was waiting.
Give my regrets to Mrs. Van Cleve.
Grace, and good-by."
Il wish you We're coming, too, Iona.
think it is dreadful for you to refuse
to go out in society,""
Il AM happier at home, Grace.
Some time l will tell you why" And,
giving her sister kiss, Iona closed
the door, and Grace, entering the car
riage, was whirled away to Mrs. Van
Cloves grand reception,
Iona and Grace Melborne were Or
phans. Their father had died six
years before. and their mother fol-
lowed soon after, leaving Iona, who
had Just entered her twentieth year, to
care for her younger sister, who was
then at the tender age OF fourteen.
A maiden aunt, their fathers sister,
made her home with them, and filled,
rs near as any one could, mothers
place to the two girls. On this even
ing they had received invitations to
reception at Mrs. Van Cleve's, and, as
usual, Iona preferred to remain at
home, while Grace was determined
to go.
! After Grace's departure Iona went
to her rooll and looked at her refec-
ton in full-length mirror.
"Oh! how different am I from my
happy bonny Grace Twenty-six next
month, Iona sighed, and again turned
her attention to tine mirror. What
she saw was form as full of grace as
her sisters, pair of mournful dark
nla
abundance of dark, wavy hair, and
sod, wistful expression lingering around
decidedly small mouth.
Turning from the mirror, with a
smothered sigh for all her past happi-
ness, Iona seated herself and took up
her sewing, Here We will leave her,
with her sad thoughts, and return tc
Grace.
The reception was a grand affair,
and as the evening wore away proved
aperfect success.
"Grace, come with me; want to in
troduce you to friend of mine," said
Lolita Van Cleve.
youth who was holding her fan, and
seemingly enjoying himself very much
looking down into her dark eyes with
very visible admiration and paying her
innumerable compliments, and gladly
went with Lolita, who conducted her
through several rooms into the conser-
vatory, where a pretty little TO lntain
sent up its sparkling sprays, and rare
blossoms filled the air with faint,
sweet perfume.
Il am going to introduce you to the
lion of the evening, Grace, and pre-
dict you will make q conquest. OH!
here he is now. Colonel Bernard, al
low me to introduce my friend, Miss
Grace Melborne."
Cyril Bernard turned quickly, and
when his eyes fell upon Grace he grew
suddenly pale.
Controlling himself with mighty
effort he held out hand and ex-
changed few words of polite greet.
pg