The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1890-08-23
EPISODE OF THE TIMES,
ny DORA VIRGINIA OSBORNE,
tcostlsurD IRON LAT SATURDAY.

lCoHtIsuED IRON LAsr sATuRpAr.1
A week later Lambert saw Miss Hol
lingsworth for tho last time. The Los
sons were giving II reception in honor O
their niece, who 1t was said woult
shortly leave town. She, Of course, at
tracted his attention above others. Sht
stood near the door Ia the radiance O.
innumerable wax candles, rs slender, al
plant, US graceful in her whito robes rs
n wind rocked lily. Involuntary he
sighed ns he looked Mt her-a sigh boru
Of the feeling which filled his heart,
filed 1t in spite OF himself. lie had
fought against it, he had struggled, he
had given her up as utterly rs II he had
never loved her, and yet as no looked at
her he felt himself thrilled from head to
foot by an unconquerable love. She
had never been as beautiful, he
thought. Her littls tawny head was
thrown back, showing a throat Diana
might have envied, it was 80 round and
firm and white. Above her long much
wrinkled glove was u statuesquc curveo Of
arm and shoulder, the jux,apositiou OF
dead white above and below bringing out
with indescribable loveliness the tones OF
the rich satin.textured flesh. He won.
dered, with n good deal Of bitterness, II
anybody could appreciate her as he did.
True, the world recognized her beauty;
but 1t was in a general way, while it's
minutest details were stamped on him.
He could shut bis eyes, and she stood be.
fore him with all the vividness OF stroug
mental conception, every tone, every
gesture reproduced with an exact
mess that only n lover could give. He
stood there, looking at her, intending
to make his way forward and ask for 4
dance, when he saw Livingstone emerge
from the crowd and place himself be.
hind her chair. Livingstone was a hand.
some nan, though rather heavy. His
face mi sht have been the prototype OF
Que on a bronze medal, it was 80 large
and massive. He had a wife Ia plain
woman, whom it was mystery to every
body why he married) and several child.
rem; but OF these the world saw little;
in fact, his wife was tho only woman to
whom Livingstone did not pay attention.
And yet society did not discountenance
this man-on the contrary, society liked
him, the more because no was liberal
and open.hearted, free with his money,
and because if he had vices he made no
secret of them. The women-why did
they like him? "For his devilish wick
edness," Lambert would have snid,
knowing full well that Livingstone made
love wherever he chose.
at isn't a fair game, Lambert, old fel-
is it?' said a voice at his elbow.
THAT little girl is no match for him"
Lambert thrust his hands savagely in
to his pockets without n reply.
"Do YOU suppose she knows he is
continued his interrogation in
a confidential tone.
My dear Sloane, what on earth is
there TO prevent her finding it out?"
"Gad! That wasn't the question.
You know Livingstone's tricks, and she
seems such an innocent little thing.
But the mischiefs done, at any rate.
Did you notice how wildly she colored
as he came up, and-look Mt her, will
you? l wonder what he has said? She
is blushing again. What u beauty she
is anyhow" he went on, admiringly.
"If 1 thought there was a ghost OF a
ia 20 in there myself. But Liv.
ingstone's got the lesd, and a married
man. too. Funny, isn't it?"
Funny" echoed Lambert, q great
lump coming into his throat. FOR
Gods sake, Sloane, don't talk like that.
Take it to yourself-if you had a daugh-
Ter"
"rhe saints forbid" interrupted
well, then. a sister, any woman who
was dear to you; would you see any.
thing funny in her being the object Of a
mans attentions, above nil such
d one as Livingstone?
"Livingstone's q bad lot, I admit,
And yet, alter all, he ia q good fellow.
lie is dead after the women, but
then" and Sloane's look said more
than words could have dene.
Lambert turned away abruptly, a
curse in bis heart il not on his lips.
"Hard HIT" murmured Sloanc, then
hetook himself in the direction Of Mias
Hollingsworth, in time to see her disap.
pear through tho doors on Liringstone's
arm.
Livingstone snd bis companion walk
ed up md down the long hail several
times.
Il have something to tell you" he
said. at is only for your ear. Where
shall VIC go?"
lie looked around them ; the available
places for a t~ete-a.tete were oil appropri.
ated. They went on to a little allowed
music room at the end OF the library-a
delightful place, aud absolutely undis'
coverable.
"How fortunate We are" he said, as
he nut in place the heavy porticre. II
thought we would get rid OF the people,"
why are you so anxious to get rid OF
the people ?" she asked.
"Don't you know? You ought to be
able TO guess by this time. Aren't you
going 10 sit down. he went on, a little
anxiously, seeing she made 10 move
Hfcfft 90 tnhS Inc tHdff HS PiaCsd iSf Htf.
II IN afraid l ought not. Auntie
will need me, there is such a rush Of
people,"
"Tbe devil take them," he muttered
under his breath then out loud-"Why
should We care? When, az l said. VIC
have just gotten rid OF them. Do, Miss
Observation-Disclosures I have go
much to say to you and you are going
away 10 soon."
She could not resist the soft pleading
Of his voice; she faltcred, then sunk
into the chair he held in readiness fol
her. He took her fan and swayed it
softly. A silence WHICH neither seemed
to care 10 break fell upon them. From
his position at her side he looked down
upon her. a strange expression on his
iace. She was neutrality-suspicious., and at
ranged and rearranged the flowers at hel
waist. Poo., silly little iledgeling! 4
net is weaving around you WHICH viii
be broken only after many days and
nights Of anguish. Was there any pity
in L%ivingstone's heart for her? Not s
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