Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1890-12-19

snake was soon disabled. and then,
pale and half fainting, dragged my
self away homeward, leaving Mr..
Lynne with the stranger, who had
been unceremoniously aroused from
his slumber.
All that week l was immersed in
preparations for tho concert and ball.
Too poor, alas! to purchase an expen-
sive costume for the OCCASION i worked
away with my own hands. and ut last
produced quite creditable results.
The night of the concert came--a
warm. still June night, the sky flooded
with silver, for the moon was young
and the night perfect. The Perth
mansion. was ablaze with light. the
long drawing rooms crowded, and at
the further end temporary stage.
My dress was only white swiss over
pale blue silesia, but the swiss was
hand embroidered. and there was no
prettier dress in the room.
After IA time found myself before
the curtain singing kathleen Mavou-
reen." My voice Is the one gift that
possess. aud | rcveled in my power
that night.
When tho concert was over Nellie
Perth came to my side. and. after tho
congratulations over my success were
finished, she added slyly:
You have made Il conquest. Char
ity. The catch Of the seasOn-young,
rich and handsome is quite seriously
smtten. and has been begging me to
present him."
Shortly aftcrward 1.-THE catch OF the
season" made his how before me.
glanced up with little start, to SEQ
my hero of the churchyard. Allan
Morrison was the name that ell upon
my ears.
He offered me his arm. and long
promenade followed. Then tho dane
ing began. and Eric Perth claimed me
for the first waltz. | like Eric. have
always likc,l him, but somehow l did
not feel inclined to dance just then.
But rs we whirled away together
Eric's dark head WAS bowed close to
my flushed face, and l heard him
whisper:
Charity, darling-my little wife,
felt my face blazing, but | made no
answer, and we floatcd away to the
sound Of the sweet waltz music until
the dance was done. Seating me upon
satin divan Eric went to procure au
ice. when. close TO my side, Mr.. Nor
rison started up like a spirit.
How happy you lookH he cx-
DO Ip" I returned, lightly. "Well,
who wouldn't be happy dancing the
'Manola with partner like Eric
Perthp His step is perfection! No
body else suits me so we'll"
OF course l alluded to the dancing
qualities of my late partner. Mr..
Morrison seated himself deliberately
Mt my side. cynical expression upon
his handsome face. | thought of the
episode in the churehyard, and drew
invo UNFAIRLY away. l have no pity,
no pardon, for the man who yields TO
the Gree lures of the wine cup. He
glanced into my face.
Eric is to be envied. indeed. Miss
Wayne, | have TO thank you for an act
of charity" he was going on to say;
but at that iuncture Eric appeared.
followed by II black-coatcd waiter,
bearing silver tray.
II know you must be hungry, Char
ityr' he cried, in his gay, innocent way.
Eric and had grown up together,
and he had never honorcd me with
the superlluous title which he felt
bound to bcstDw upon other young
ladies. Mr.. Morrison arose ut once.
1t was evident to him that there was
an understanding between Eric ard
myself. Soon after | saw him in the
neighboring bay window, merrily chat
ting with Nellie-hirting, of course.
slipped my arm into Erc's. and we
went of for stroll in the moonlight.
Morrison looks rather bored" COM
mented my cavalier. But must con-
fcss that failed to perceive it. by
the way" Eric went on swiftly, "that
same Young man came near having Il
sunstroke last Sundayp Recolect
what terribly warm day it was, Char
TYP He foolishly walked all the way
at noon-from the steamboat land
ing at our place. We did not expect
the boat to arrive until the next day,
SO never sent the carriage to the land
ing. Allan undertook to walk it, got
so far rs the church. aud just gave up.
He went into the churchyard and lay
down i'm the shade; Mr.. Lynne found
him there. and he says that he was
suffering from the effects of the sun.
and that it was pretty close call: /
have known Allan all my life" added
Erie. HE is the very best young
man whom / have ever met"
felt my cheeks burning. my heart
beating with strange, unaccountabIc
feeling of relief; but there was nothing
for me to say, so l hold my peace.
The ball over. | went home in the
early dawn with Eric Perth, who took
this opportunity to tell me that he
loved me, and wanted me to he his
wife. did not love him, and l told
him so as kindly rs possible. Bot |
did not coniide to him that l had
learned to love another. 49,.
Days and weeks went by. was IN
the garden at my old home one even
ing ut sunset--a sweet, old-fashioncd
garden. full of old-fashioned flowers.
was busy tying up clump of white
lilies, when voice made me start,
and, CHANGING up. 1 saw Allan Nor
ris0n.
Charity" lac began at once, coolly
ignoring the fact that was Miss
Wayne. Il have come to say Goodbye
.... L dropped the Irvine with which |
had been about to secure my lilies and
Il 81