The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-11-17

questions about u, and had reiraiDed
from praise OF Il, even when she laid II IN
his palm for inspection.
No; not the cross The sapphire pend
ant, rather She lifts it from its case,
aud raises her arms above her head and
clasps 10 round her neck. AZ che sees II
gllttering upon h.z lovely skin, she
smiles softly to herself. ond bends Tor
ward full Of girlish delight At the beauty
OF II. and tells herself that Lady Val
worth will be pleased to see her thus
bedecked out TO do honor TO the home
coming OF her son, Capt. Boyle-this
dearly loved son, who, to Nadine, Is as yet
unknown, but Of whom she has heard 70
much
With a last lingering glance at the
mirror that gives her back her charms 20
truly. she leaves the room. AS yet II IS
early forthe arrival OF guests, and as she
enters the huge ball room she finds 1t al
most deserted. The 1ddlers are tuning
their instruments In q monotonous Iugu'
brious way. and one OF two people are
laughing at the lower end Of the room.
The lights as yet are dim, and Nadine can
scacely see them. She walks quickly
in their direction, her heart beating
gladly with y sense Of youth aud joy, that
no misery in the future has power 10 ksH.
As she draws nearer the laughter she can
see that her two or three have developed
into n group. Duran is here, and Gerald
Massareone; Mrs. Brand and Niiiicent.
As Nadine comes up to them some OF
the servants turn up the lights to the
fullest. aud quite glow OF brightness is
flung upon the room. Duran steps for
ward 20 greet Nadine. lie says nothing
10 her. but only holds ont his hand as II
IN welcome In reality, the soft sweet
beauty Of her has entered into him and
stricken him dumb. The lamps are shin
ing upon her starry eyes, hcr red parted
lips, her face SO like flower The
dainty, Shy glance. that half bespeaks
the praise and half decIics it: the Lowell,
kissable mouth. that would fain say
Am not good 10 look at, dear. my
loyeY yet breads 90 say it. the bent, yet
proud little head, the tender, longing
smile, all appeal 90 him. His hand closes
upon hers. She Is his at this moment.
whatever other ferloru times the years
may hold for him AMI her, and with the
eager hand clasp be leads her forward TO
where the lamps shine clearest-tO where
all may see how fair his love can be.
lie turns TO make some gay remark to
Mnlicent, still holding Madness hnni.
but glance at Miss Grey's face checks
him. She ms grown positively iiyid.
She was full q laughter Just a minute
ago, but now mirih has died from her and
her lips are ali set and stern, her color
CHASTITY.
Take her away-Qnywberel Into the
next room, - she says in tone Of sup
pressed but passionate command to On
ren. There is no need for him 10 ask TO
whom she alludes-hcr eyes are rivcted
upon Nadinc's neck, where the sapphire
pendant ia resting calmly. Duran, who
Is man quick 20 understand, seeming
Nadine aside and presently takes her out
OF the room. A little too late, however.
Mrs. Brand too had seen and recognized
the sapphiresl
The guests have all arrived, the ball is
al its height Yet still the hero Of It f.
absent. There ia, however, n midnight
train that will in all probability bring
him.
at must lie has never failed me yet"
says Lady Nalworth, with a rather wen
smile, who is feeling hurt and disap-
pointed
Millicent. who has been going about with
a nervous distressed air oil the night has
been regarded es q model fiancee by ell
her world Plainly, she is fretting for
her recreant lover. She has more feeling
{ =. 80 J. 4 I.ar
Is not the hcarllcss. soulless creature they
had imagined Yet her thoughts have
never wandered 10 Grant; they have
been centcred on the pretty, happy crca-
tuTc, who, with the stolen sapphircs
lying on her bosom, has been blissfully
unconscious Of the gathering storm that
ia so soon 10 break upon her.
Drran had mads ~ gy SesIrs sG 10 .. os ,fI9
Of Nadine rs soon MS her glance fell upon
her in the ball room. What he had been
told since by Aiillicent had led him at once
to a knowledge Of the truth. lie was IL
rcsdy aware Of The SUSPICION about the
cross worn by Nadine the night
before II is ntw impossible Ia him 90
disbe.icvc but that this lover Of Nadinc's
this Paul Annerlcy-had something TO
do with the rob berries both Of the diG-
monds from Va worth, and the famous
sapphires from Park lane. II this be
true. IT this be proved lie % angry
with himself for the wild thrill of Joy
that rushes through every pulse, as this
thonght suggests itself and takes root
within his breast. II IL prove truel
Why then Nadine VIII be freel This
man. Anncrlcy. VIII be compelled TO fly
from the face Of the law. and she will be
left behind Tor him-Duran-and for
lovci
But then the shame 70 her The
awakening 10 the scrrow ot hef lover
lnfamy. Sooner or later IL must be told
% her. but should the task be left TO rude
tongues who had no love for herr \
thousand times no BE the man falsely
suspected. or be ne in reality the one
who has stolen the jewels, 10 i impossi-
BE that Nadine should be left 70 lean OF
the suspicion resting upon him from
strangers. Hc--will tell her
lie has lei her into 2 small conserve
tory Leading or the tea room, which,
being rather public, has been deserted
by those DESTROYS Of uitering or hearing
tender f.ealgI5. 4 lt NIpel ttiit W -
overlooking in daytime "a garden be
meath. is quite removed from the gan Of
those in the room outside. and Durar, %
Nadine sinks upon a low cocch, seats
himself beside her.
A dim lamp. shaded TO p suhduod PINK,
sheds warm but indisiinct light
around. The perfume Of the dying roses
fills the air. From far away the music
comes 10 them-risinc, falling, swelling,
faintlng, until all the night seems full
OF II.
Nadine, STOPPING toward him, lays her
hand on his.
"You are trOublcGw she says, softly.
II can see II in your eyes. Something IS
making you sorry"
Her ewes, deep and brilliant rs stars,
are looking mourninlly into his Hc
possesses himself Of the hand she has
held ont 90 him. believing him in trouble,
and holds Is fast.
at Is true There is petpicxity in my
hrnrt. and n suspicion az coming sorrow
but IL f. FOR you. " he anGwers. gently,
"For mer 4 little startled look ereeps
into her lovely f1ce.
''Toll mc-tcll NE exactly, says Duran.
leaning forward so that he can see her