The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-03-10

darkly-beautiful, seductive face which
had come into his life less than month
before, and which had shut out Natalie's
fair loyeliness from his dreams, both sleep
ing and waking, far oftener than he liked
To- remember.
would to Heaven / had never seen
her" he added, in voice husky with pain,
yet thrilling with kind of pitiful scorn at
his own weakness. "She is not worthy
mans deep, trustful love, as my sweet Ma
talie is. She is a beautiful siren-a fascin-
ating, dangerous temp ress-whom it we're
best to shun, yes, that is CHAIRMAN Roth
well. And yet-my God, my God how
hard it is to forget her, even with Nata les
dear face before my eyes,
But ''Natalie's dear face" fair, sweet
loving face, SO bright with happiness and
trust-vas the last picture which he carried
away in bis heart when he started upon his
journey.
And, having arrived at his destination,
the whirl and rush of business cares proved
the very thing most needful to break the
dangerous spell which had thrown its
dreamy, subtle fascinations around his
heart.
Once more he was beginning to feel like
bimself-strong, cear-headed and constant
as knight-errant to his pretty sweetheart
when, one fateful evening, he attended
small dinner-parly given by fashionable
lady whom he knew but slightly.
81 have fair friend visiting me just
now-an acquaintance Of yours, Mr.. Grey
son, whom | think you will be glad to see
again" smiled his hostess,as she welcomed
him in the splendid drawing ROOM at
was TO meet her that particularly desired
you TO come-Miss Chairman Rothwell."
And as the name left the lips of his hos
SIS, Doane Greyson turned and saw her at
lis side--Charmian Rothwel, the dark
eyed, dangerous beauty whose wiles be had
been struggling to forget.
More fatally alluring than ever she looked
to- night, in her toilet of soft, floating black
tulle, thickly sprinkled " it'll gold, golden
star cleaning in the duskY tresses above
her regal brow.
She looked like the Queen of Night
caught sin a shower of her own luminous
stars.
Greyson caught his breath as his glance
fell upon the bewildering vision, and he
felt the old madness of her spell rushing
back upon him; but he struggled manfully
against II.
Eyes, IN, stay here will be as brief as my
business will allow" he told her, seizing
the first opportunity which presented itself
during their conversation, "In truth'--a
proud, meaning smile lighting up his hand
some FACET shall have 20 confess 10y
er's eagerness to return home, even at the
risk of my reputation for gallantry, Miss
Rothwell'-with an apologetic bow-''for
| hope and expect to be married very soon.
You have met my offianced bride, Miss
Natalie Ward, during your stay in Dan
forth2"
"Oh, yes" she answered sweetly; 81 re-
member her-a pretty child, with soft, gray
eyes and peach-blow cheeks, and somewhat
hoidenish manners, used TO think-if you
will pardon me-" with slow, sweet smile
which, somehow, brought Natalie's little
faults of manner before his mental vision
as nothing had ever done before. "Still,
she is very young; she will acquire in time
the grace and refinement which, in your
wife. will be indispensable"
The delicate. emphasis which she laid
upon that pronoun conveyed volume of
meaning, and IL was not lost. But Doane
resolutely tried to keep both head and heart
free from the sirens wiles.
81 love her best just as she is-a sweet,
innocent wildwood flower" he answered
Loyalty. NO queen OF society could be Sc
dear to me as my little Nat, with her uu-
spoiled heart and childish ways
Miss Rotwell smiled again, but said moth
ing. The brave loyal speech of Natalie'i
: lover did not disturb her for moment
She knew her own power too well.
Have you seen the conservatory" sb,
" asked, carelessly, some time later 'Mrs
Langdon has the finest display of orchid
70 in the city, am told. And l remembe
!" your fondness for flowers, Mr. Greyson"
Her dark eyes were smiling upon him
but DOane hesitated. He had been declar
. ing to himself that he would never agail
:" trust himself within the power of he
e charms. and what could be more dangerou
'e than tete-a-tete in the softly lighted, flow
Y er-scented Conservatory
'" He would not 60, he said stoutly to him
'' self; but even as Ire said it, he arose frol
the sofa and offered her his arm A bal
u hour later Natalie was forgotten. gal
he was a slave, blindly, madly worshipin
u at the shrine Of the dsrk-eyed siren.
u, There was a flush of triumph on Charm
~ ian Rothwell's dusky cheek, "A brilliant ligt
re in her great black eyes, as DoAne Greyso
held her hand at parting
he II have wonw she muttered, turning /
to ascend the wide oaken staircase, with
ne subtle smile on her perfect lips; che
ce more madly In love. with me than eve
Aud I?-ah! ii had not loved him shouI
ls- not have taken all this trouble, and laI
he my snare so carefully to meet him her
St, For knew that he was coming. Bnt {,
er that knowledge" with a little trill
laughter-'l should be in New York b
III. night instead of here. But he doesn
,h, dream of that. Oh, no, it is all chance,
he fate-to him. But, my dear little Natalie
he with scornful laugh-"I am sorry f
SO you. have won your lover!"
What use to dwell on the days that fc
he lowed?
ed Day after day found Doane at Charmis
lie Rothwelrs side, and the spell of her ia
,h- cinatlons deepened every hour.
ed One afternoon they were returning fro
act drive just as dusk was gathering over Il
ng lovely, quiet scenes about them; and
they nesred pretty little rustic churt
by nesting cozily down at the end of lit