The Columbus journal., 1890-03-05
CELESTE LIE r ES-
CAPE.
OY ELLA

OY ELLA GUERNSEY.
"The coolest day of the season." said
strong men, as they buttoned closely
about them their overcoats and fastened
securely the fur collars. The snow fell
in lev flakes that made the chesks of
those exposed to the tho fury of the
storm Jingle and ache from cold.
It was upon q much-used street that
MI. Howard LIE Clere's handsome house
was built, and in the second story two
young girls sat looking and laughing at
the comical appearance of the different
passers-by.
Just look, Maude," said Ce!est LIE
Clere. "there is Walter Lathrop. Sup
pose We bow to him?" And the girls
nodded their heads in recognition
of the handsome gentleman, who bowed
in return with the grace of q Chester
field.
Il must say, Celeste, I almost envy
you, as Mr.. Lathrop is evidently your
devoted admirer: but 1 don't know that
I do, when I recall the bad stories that
are told of him. They say he has q
wife somewhere, and that he deserted
her because her father became poor. I
hope he is nothing to you"
Poor pretty Celeste blushed scarlet,
murmured something about Waiter be-
ing misunderstood" then called
Maude's attention to the silks and fancy
goods that were strewn upon couches,
chairs and the carpet.
The girls were preparing for q fancy
dress ball, and chartered as freely as if
the silent, shy little dressmaker in the
next room had been q lay figure.
Celeste's room was hung in pale blue
satin; the carpet and curtains were of
the same hue, and all was in harmony.
The toilet table was laden with silver
and crystal perfume bottles, while vases
of roses and camelias made fragrant the
beautiful apartment.
"Oh, Celeste, what o fortunate girl
you are to have such On elegant home,
plenty of pin money, and q kind good
father! shall advise you to think
twice before you wed and leave him."
Celeste stopped to hide her burning
face, and the photograph of handsome
Walter Lathrop fell from the folds of
her dress.
"Oh, Celeste, how could you hide
this from me? And it is inscribed,
Ever your own, own Walter Oh,
Celeste, 1 fear for you. I know your
father will not permit him to call here;
do not see him again. Only this week
1 have heard such bad things about
him. I used to admire him, but do not
now" said Msude, earnestly.
Il will not hear such things of Wal
ter. He was married once, but his wife
died. He told me how miserable he
was with her. You may regret your
warning some time. Have = care and
choose your words. dear Msnde.'
well, promise me not to see him
unless your father knows" pleaded
Maude.
Il will promise nothing: perhaps
jealousy makes you 80 anxious about
me. remember some one who used
to rave over Walters dark yes and
stately air."
Celeste, you do not mean that; let
US not part in anger, but kiss and make
up. as the children say"
Soon after Maude took an affectionate
leave of her friend.
Celeste went into the sewing-room,
there sat the seamstress, deadly pale,
her hand pressed tightly upon her
heart and . look of woe in her dark
bro yn eyes.
~Oh. what is it. Mrs Walton? Can
I get you anything?' asked the kind
hearted girl.
No, thank you, Miss LIE Clere; you
cannot help me. Oh. 1 want to tell her.
if I only dared" said Mrs. Walton, as
Celeste left the room.
A few moments later Celeste was fly
ing down the street. through the storm,
looking pretty enough, in her blue vel
vet walking suit, to distract the heart
of any masculine. She glanced about
As if looking for some one, then made
her way through the crowd Of ladies
that frequented a fashionable restau-
rant, to q table hidden beneath the
curtains of maroon plush.
And have you really come. my own
darling? l have been here ages, vet 1
f.ared you could not get away from
home. And how is my darliog?" asked
the handsome original of the photo
graph that Celeste guarded so carefully. |
For half an hour the lovers sat undis- !
turbed; then the crowd became SO press ;
ing that they coald no longer keep their
secluded nook.
Il hate 10 see You 60 home unattended
through the storm, but your father has
an intense dislike for me. I am sorry
Miss Maude has turned against me; she
used to be sweet enough to me, but I
always preferred your blue eyes to her
bold black ones. Is your friend in
clinedt to be jealous? ?" asked Mr.. Lathrop, |
with . shrug and a grimsce that init
mated much that he did not saw.
~Oh, no! Maude is too noble for
that's" said Celeste, eagerly.
Perhaps" replied Walter, with an
other shrug. But remember, Celeste, |
we must be married tomorrow night.
Your father will not cast off his smither-
less BARN for marrying the man she
loves, whose only crime was poverty.
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