The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-07-14

| h"u leluIneu anu we're parting ~ the door
Remember, the first waltz tonight,
said Vary, softly.
A brilliant glance fiom the dark eye
answered him, and then Miss Gaspard, tn,
southern heress, disappeared from hi
view, to resppear in her own room as Rein,
Delaire.
The girl rushed to the mirror and looked
long at the vision reflected there.
II haye won." she said, half aloud
"Ah, how have cheated them all. And
it is well; the season is nearly over, and my
money is almost gone. But he will know
tonight. He said he had something to tell
me then -ah, l can guess"
Then a strange sadness fell upon her,
and she sank into an easy chair. So she
sat in deep thought, till message was
brought to her. 1t was sealed, and bore
the familiar chirohraphv of RomDey Har-
mon. Refine tore it open with trembling
fingers.
1t was an impassioned confession of love
he could not live without her, he wrote, yet
when he had tried to tell her of his feelings
toward her, his heart failed him. If she
would accept his devotion let her wear a
spray of hiacintbs that night and he would
understand
"Ah, that will be glorious" thought
Refine, with only her absorbing desire for
vengeance IN her mind. 81 will wear his
riyars flowers while he acknowledges his
love. All, my poer Pearle, this will be a
triumph for us both"
Yet from that time Refine Delaire was
strangely quiet, and ever and anon bitter
smile wreathed her lips.
She was decked out in regal attire for the
ball that night, in iYory-white surah draped
with lace, and spray of pink hyacinths
clasped at her breast by pearl ornament.
She descended the stairs to find Edwin
Vary waiting for her, and together they
drifted through the rooms to the strains of
dreamy German waltz.
She could see the thrilling glances of her
companions eyes, feel the warm clasp of
his hand, and her own heart beat with a
strange joy.
"The last tlme-she was saying to her
heart-the last time"
Then the waltz ended, and he drew her
out to the moon lit piazza.
There, in shadowy, secluded corner, he
told her of his loYe, and Refine grew strange
ly faint as she listened. What was the
matter? Did she love her sisters murder
er? Oh, how weak, how foolish she was.
Yet, looking into that earnest face, she
would have vowed he was honest and true,
but that the haunting eyes of Pearls came
between.
"You love me-" she said, in low tones.
"Listen, then; 1 am not an helress. Ihave
deceived you."
''Wsre you begger should yet be proud
to win you," he answered.
Refine was astonished she had expected
that her words would prove him craven.
"But IL have accepted the love Of your
friend, Romney Harmon" she faltered.
"Hers is my token"
She touched the flowers she wore. He
snatched them off and threw them aside.
"You coquettep' he said, in tones Of tel:
rible reproach.
She started to her feet, with her ayes
blazing.
''What are you2,' she demanded tiercely.
"Do not dare to reproach me. lam Pearle
Delaire's sister,"
With these words, spoken in significant
tones, she left him, and she saw him few
moments later with his friend-alas! his
friend no more. for jealousy had severed
the bond. That night Edwin Vary left
the place.
The next day Refine entertained visitor,
a fair-haired girl whom she called Edith.
"And YOU are to be married, Reine?"
said the latter. "Does he-M. Harmon
know of your deceptionP"
"No; but it will make no difference.
shall tell him all to-day"
"Ah, you must be very happyp"
Refine nodded assent; but low breath
escaped her lips. Vas she so very happy
| after all?
II will show you his photograph, Edith"
he said. "He is really handsome
Edith Fay looked at the framed picture
she offered her, and then started. Those
aquiline features, those dreamy eyes, that
broad brow from which the thick hair
waved-surely she had seen them before.
"Why, Refine, this is not Mr.. Harmon"
she gasped. "There is SONS mistake-this
is Edwin Vary"
"Whatp cried Refine, her face blanching.
SIT is Edwin Vary, the man who visited
your sister at our house," replied Edith
Fay
''No-no, know Edwin Vary; he is
dark and handsome, but not like that
| he
"Ths is the one; would know the face
anywhere, )" said Edith decisively.
"Wait! Icannot believe. Let me think p'
cried Refine.
Then regaining her composure, she rang
the bell that summoned servant.
'If Mr.. Harmon is in the hotel, tell him
that Miss Gsspard wishes to see him in her
private parlor," she said calmly.
Romney Harmon came. and his face
paled slightly when he saw Edith Fay.
"You and Miss Fay are old frieads,
hear" said Refine quietly. "But why did
you assume the name Of your friend, Ed,
win Vary.
"Why, IL" stammered the man.
"What does this mean?"
81 am not Refine Gaspard, but Refine De.
laire-Pearle Delaires sister. Nop do yeu
understand"
A gray pallor settled upon his features al
he noticed the passion on that lovely face
It was nothing to him that she wac not ar
heiress, for he loved her as he never loved
as he would never love again, but she wal
Pearls Delaire'S sister, and he knew h'
could not hope.
"Ny vengeance has fallen upon anoth