Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-04-19


She sang, with fervor of passion
IN the ringing rich tones. The man
bending over her listened with darken-
ed Dyes and set face to tho despairing
words.
"Why do you choose songs like
thatP" he asked almost angrily, when
she had finished.
She looked at him as she rose. and
stood, a tall exquisite figure in
trailing robes OF apricot silk and
cream lace; her long rounded arms,
bare 10 the shoulder, hung down before
her, the little fingers tightly interlaced;
her neck, long and slender, rose grace
fully as swans from tho soft lace
yelling the white shoulders. Her face
was most beautiful, perfect in feature.
perfect in coloring, lighted by glori-
Gus eyes, deep and soft and dark; n
face that man might live or die for,
and as Ebeihard Leigh gazed into it,
his breath quickened, his eyes deep
ened
''Why do you sing such wretohed
songs?" ho demanded again impera-
lively.
Elvira Bcauchamp moved from tho
piano ere she replied.
She gained the shadow of the heavy
surtains as one of the windows, and
6en she looked at her companion
again, and said sadly,
''They suit me best; they are tie
only ones in harmony with my own
hfe"
"Nonsense." from him almost rough
b. Then. with sudden entreaty in his
low rich voice: lit shall not be Good
bye Elvira. for us, 1t shall not"
at will break my heart if it is.
Hberhard,' the girl said softly, with
httie catch in her breath
1T need not DO unless you so decree
H."
.I2 What am against fate7" She
shrugged her shoulders and her eyes
hardened. 1T is fate that has de-
ereed you shall bc penniless, and I
at this moment. Eberhard, my debts
are SO many and so pressing that al
most fear imprisonment.
Il wish that ] could soil my worth
less existence and pay them for youw
''Would you do so much for me?"
gently. Would you indeed give me
self-sacrificep But, no know how
men talk. Words are very different
from actions"
TEL me one thing | can do for you
and / will do g."
She answered him with look, but
then her eyes wandered away. and
they fell upon man at the other end
Of the largo drawing who was
watching her with "A scowl upon his
stern, hawk-like face.
She met his glance. and instantly
she glided from Leigh and took seat
in lonely part of the room; and
then il was Eberhard Leigh
turn to scowl, for the hawk faced man
won't promptly across to her, and the
inveterate coluette turned with II
brilliant smie 70 greet him.
Eberhard Leigh had only one adj
vintage over his rival-that Of person
a. appearance.
Leigh was a splendidly handsome
man. every inch a soldier, tall and
broad; magnificently strong, yet easily
graceful-dark, bronzed, finely mould
cd.
Sir Peter Ruskin was ugly and OF
thin, cramped figure; but be was q
aaronet, and possessed a rent-roll OF
twelve thousand per annum.
Eberhard igh had nothing save
his pay, and slender allowance from
mis- uncle, old Lord Lester. The rum
ming was scarcely even.
As Miss Beachamp deliberately de-
serted him for his rival, Leigh crossed
Tho room, and heedless OF the glances
OF ono or two pairs of bright eyes who
would have welcomed him gladly, he
took O seat by tho side OF "a child of II
years, who was looking at the scene
before her without attempting TO mix
ia it.
docs this amuse you, Dorothy
tho soldier ASKED. "Do you like
10 see all those people here
making fools of thcmselves?" he
added bitterly.
The girl turned to him. There were
splendid capacities in her face, n
grand promise OF future beauty; but
al present IL was pale and thin, and
too old-looking for her size; the only
beautiful thing about Dorothy Beau
champ was her eyes.
Are you one OF the latter?" she
asked in her quaint unchildish way.
IL verify believe | am. Tell me,
Dorothy-you are n little witch for
socing and reading secre.s-do you
thirk / am making fool of myself"
The child's glance travelled over to
whore her cousin Elvira sat listening
with radiant expression TO something
tho baronet was whispering in her ear.
II suppose you can't help it. Mr..
Leigh" she said.
you are right, Dorothy. / can't.
DO you think should DO wiser to help
ftp" he went ON in strange pcrsistency.
Quite a look of womanly PITY stole
into the child eyes as she rested them
upon the handsome troubled face.
"Elvira means to marry Sir Pcter."