The Irish standard., 1888-02-11

costly pleasures that only the rich can af-
ford.
self, the younger Mrs. Iceberg ana the
children, when suddenly carriage passed
US in whose occupants recognized son1e-
thing strangely familiar. LEANED FORWARD
ia catch q closer glimpse, and as did SO the
gentleman turned his head and caught
SIGHT of his face lcould not be mistaken
the dark eyes, the soft crrling hair
and shapcly form were none other than
Oliver Dudley's. j knew him instantly
and it only needed a glance at the golden
hair of the beauty beside him to ascertain
that it was Irma Barrett.
sank back with quick, keen pain at my
heart; my hand clutching aimlessly at my
rich sable muff, my cheeks growing
strangely pale, knew, for kind Mrs.
Iceberg at once enquired if were i'll.
"Ohl no; it is nothing" answered,
calmly enough, wondering even at myself
that could be 80 strongly moved at the
sight of this man, who was not, nor ever
could be, aught to ME.
Invent home feeling strangely depressed
1t was probable then that the Claytons
were in the city. I had heard Of their some
times visiting here. should be almost cer
tain to meetthcm knew, and my heart beM
! quickly at the thought, for never could re-
card them in any other light than my bit
terest euemies.
Mrs Kent met rle in the parlor. ";Ihere
is gentleman to see you in the drawing!
room, Dorrie,'' she said, smiling. oStrange
how attractive Mr.. Balfour {naming this
gentlenan) finds our house of late,' she
added, ;.rchly "And Colonel Baily called
also this morning. Really, Dorrie, you are
getting to be quite q belle"
/ laughed lightly at her words, and ran
up to my room to remove MY wraps be1ore
going down to meet my friend. tells
angry at myself that could not feel more
than passing interest in this handsome
young; Balfour, whose admiration Tor me
had been a patent fact since our first meet
ing He was rich, young, handso1ne--whae
more could desire. My friends, too, aW
looked upon him With favor, and felt
guilty when T remembered how had en-
couraged his attention when felt for hina
only friendship, not love, not even the ghost
of it.
There was also Colonel Baily, another, IN
every way, eligible suitor; except in the
matter of age, he being number OF years
my senior, though not old, by any means;
he was handsome and courtly, a very king
among men, some would have called him,
But did not care for him / said, ,pcrvcrsely.
7 should never fall in love; men were aE
alike to me, and why did they annoy me
with their attentions.
stNow, if Oliver Dudley were Edgar
Balfour," found myself saying, and then /
stopped. ssDorcas Lynn" cried, mentally,
thoughts am ashamed OF you; Surely you
have lost much of your boasted pride 20
lament a man you never knew, beside, one
who is engaged to another;7 and thus silence
ing my heart went down determined to be-
very kind to Mr.. Balfour in future and to
permit no thought OF Oliver Dudley to
stand between me and the duty owed Mrs.
Kent, who, knew, regarded Edgar Ealtour
as a most eligible young man. ! think ]
must have succeeded very we'll in my at
tempt to appear agreeable, for Mr.. Balfozir
not only paid ME several rather extraVagans
compliments, but several times / barely
avoided receiving from him direct offer o&
his heart and hand by judciously turning
conversation into another channel.
The next day as was our custom: we drove
in the park. and again saw Oliver Dudley,
but alone this time, and could but remark
how p..,e and worn he looked, like a person.
hard worked or ill in body or mind. Ws
passed him twice and at the last time he
raised his eyes and gave me direct look
that made me start; but he evidently die
not re :ognize me-, for his eyes did not linger,
only tarned carelessly, almost mournfully,
away as he passed On, leaving me flushed
and troubled and disturbed.
The next day went again; in vain did
resolve not to go near the park again; this
temptation was too great, and that aftcf~
noon found Ns again among the crowd OF
gay aristocrats that daily flock there. But
to-day Twas disappointed; though strained
my eyes in all directions for a sight Of that
wcll-krown form, was not rewarded Mrs.
Iceberg softly inquired if were looking
for any one in particular. ''If it is for
Colonel Bailey, there he ISL she said, laugh
ing, while l shrank back in the carriage
feeling ashamed Of myself, yet devoatly
wishing the Colonel were at the antipodess
But could not NOPE, though much inclined
to do so, for the Colonel accompanied uss
home and then attended US to q musical en-.
tertainment at the house Of a friend.
Tt was one o'clock before was ut liberty
to seek my own room and there muse over
the changed appearance Of Oliver Dudley,
for to keep him from my thoughts was an
utter impossibiity. saw his face in tlie
cleaning embers Of the dre; I heard his
voice in the moaning wind; whatever way
/ turned / was confronted By the Same
form, and fell asleep to dream strange,
troubled dreams, in which the center figure
was always Oliver Dudley.
I awolze in the morning strangely s;e-
pressed and unhappy. Wandered airlless~
ly about until evening, when we went, as
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