The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1889-06-04


! depths of the dark eyes that he re-
membered as so soft and so appealing
; Celeste RiTarde- had been a most win
ming girl. Celeste Weir was a splen-
did-looking woman of the world, and no
more like her former self than
crimson peOny resembles a Jacque-
minot rose. Her nature had hardened
and coarsened under the influence ex-
ercised upon it by the events OF the
past few years. And Frank Seabright,
as he gazed upon her, wondered at his
own former infatuation and secretly
rejoiced that 1T had so entirely passed
away. His acceptance of the invitation
to dine with his former love had been,
in truth, an experiment as to the state
OF his own feelings, aud one which he
had tried not without some uncon-
fessed misgivings; so it was with in
tense satisfaction that he felt himself
to be entirely heart-whole as far as
this dazzling creature was concerned.
She looked at him with that smile
which had been found irresistible in
the drawing-rooms of Nice and of
Florence.
You are very silent this evening,
Mr.. Seabright," she said, playfully.
"A penny for the thoughts that you
find so absorbing"
He reused himself with a start from
his meditations.
'They are worth much more than
that. Mrs. Weir" he answered. gal
lantly, ''for was thinking OF YOU"
Very prettily said-quite equal in
its way to some of the compliments
that were paid me in Paris. And pray.
in what guise did l figure in your
musings?"
THAT which you were years ago.
! had called up the specter of Celeste
Rivarde."
The rich color deepened on her
cheeks.
SIS il only as phantom that Celeste
Rivarde lives in your memory? Can
you not resuscitate her in the form of
Celeste Weir?"
She bent forward. with a world of
witchery in the dangerous softness of
her eyes, in the low tones of her mel
Odious voice.
land if the first is dead and gone,
as your words seem to insinuate. may
not the second take her place? We
are both young yet. My heart has
never been touched in all my life, ex-
cept-"
81 know what you would say" in
terrupted her nearer; except by your
worthy husband. Thanks for your
confidence. /, too. have one to make
to You as an old friend, or, at least,
as one Of such long standing. | am
engaged TO be married to Miss Con-
stance Gwynne, whom perhaps you do
not know, as she is one of this seasons
debutantes. The wedding is TO take
place next month. May / hope. dear
Mrs. Weir, that the friendship you
have been so kind as to accord TO me
will be extended to my wife?"
She laughed lightly, and toyed with
the fieecy plumes of her fan.
why do you ask me such a ques-
ton? OF course | shall be charmed to
know Mrs. Seabright. VIII you not
bring her to call on me before your
wedding? And-stay-I have a little
present for your bride. Pray let me
send it to her, with my best compli- !
ments. will show it to you at once.
Mono objections. please-and no
thanks. Felicie-where is Felicie-
and my keys? Wait few moments, |
Mr.. Seabright. know exactly where !
to lay my hand upon it."
She fastened from the room. Ar
rived in the adjoining bedroom, she
flung the window wide open and !
gasped for breath. HE understood !
me. / offered my hand and my for
were the disjointed phrases that she
muttered, leaning against the window
frame and drinking in the cold air. |
"And Constance Gwynne-a chit of a |
girl, not yet nineteen. But they are /
not married yet-oh, not yetm And !
then. with the help of her maid, she
bestirred herself in her search for the |
promised gift.
1t was indeed exquisite, and called /
forth even from Seabright's masculine !
lips an exclamation of admiring sur
prise when she displayed it to him. |
1t was a dress-patterr of some trans
parent silken tissue of beautiful and !
novel shade of green. at once brilliant !
and delicate, and altogether different ,
from, as it was more exquisite than, !
any OF the many fashionable varieties
of that color.
cit is lovely, is it not?" said Mrs.
Weir, holding up fold of the fabric !
so as TO let the gas-light shine full up !