Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-07-11

CT only know one duchess, said Mar iorie. 0and she doesn't comport herself at ali. Ipity Miss Chester if she is hks that little awkward dumpling.
 Neil glanced at her, and for the life ot him he could not prevent his eyes thank ing her; but Marjorie little needed that. She had let him bring her away from Lima for Lina's own sake; but other guests were arriving now, and so she made her way among them (showering gay smiles and greetings as she went), back to the spot where Lima Chester lin- gered, looking on at the gay scene as one may remember to have looked at such things in dream.
 How kind and thoughtful Marjorie was to her all through that nightl And, when Col. Stuart came, he was so, too, in his grave, protecting way. With his ever-ready, ever-thoughtful courtesy, he gave her place among the most hon. ored of the guests, and such place as Sir Neil's impetuous admiration and de- yotion could never have succeeded in es- tablishing for her.
 And yet what way will the protecting kindness of one or two simple, unsus- picious natures go, against the subtle poison of jealous and suspicious tongues? Even the whispered comments of Louisa Castillain alone could have des .royed Lima Chester's pleasure; but they, alone, were not left to do it. Eustace Jeffrey held a similar power in his hands and used it mercilessly, too.
 Perhaps Sir Neil Athelston held . greater power of hurting her even than these two. Though his opportunities of speaking to her were few Gas he had a hosts part to play), yet he could uncon- sciously interfere most of all with her enjoyment, by rousing the jealousy and spleen of those who were quick to re- sent the unconscious rivalry of the girl who, in her dependent position, stood so far below them, yet in her wondrous beauty so far above.
 Lima was standing by the couch on which sat Lady Athelston. She had been called for some trifing reason; and then, with a careless selfshness, Lady Athelston had bidden her "stay there 8 little; may want you"
 And the girl stood there, pleased even at those words. There was some one to whom she might possibly be of use.
 The ball was at it's height. The couples whlrled past close to the sofa against which Lima stood; it was a gay and brilliant scene altogether, and the music gave her beautiful, dreamy thoughts. She would think of the pleasant part and that only. Poor, lonely grill Simple as the resolution was, no other more really brave, more purely unselish, was made in all the radiant throng that night.
 Only few of the moving figures did Lina's eyes care to follow, and of these >sof NForS1ria TaofilIoin h0 tested randomly and laughed brightly and danced exquisitely, yet who seemed (to those grateful, watchful eyes) to be always fighting against some want which rose to her lips and eyes.
 "How openly and daringly Marjorie Castillain firts, was comment which had reached Lina's ears many times !; and she knew that it was true, and yet not all the truth though "all the truth was not to be made clear yet, even to her.
 But, rashly as Marjorie flung her around her, there was one in the room who received not even the smallest share. To Eustace Jeffrey she vouch- safed neither word nor glance.
 Again and again had he entreated for a dance, but her negative was always prompt and cold and decisive end her repeated refusals and col l neglect We're rousing within him a very demon of spite and jealousy.
 To one small revenge could Eustace Jeffrey look forward and, in the antici- patton of this, he smiled and danced and flattered still. And the night wore on, and Marjorie, in her brilliant excite oYO1 hnontIfuI with that irresistible and incomprehen- sible beauty of hers which no one could describe.
 Col. Stuart was lingering beside Lady Athelston's couch the very duchess whom Marjorie had called a dumpling had been talking into the elevated trum- | pet, but she broke of on the Coloners approach for there are some men be- fore whom women's trivial gossip drops lifeless to the ground. Lady Athel- ston's eyes turned from the dancers, and met his with pleased little smile in them.
 CT am so glad to see you all enjoying yourselves she said, Gas I trust you are. Does not Neil make 8 mathless host, and is not Marjorie queen among all the girls, Col. Stuart? Don't you call her beautiful, to-night?"
 "Do you, Miss Chester?" he asked, with an amused smile.
 "she is always beautiful to me, Col Stuart" Lima answered, simply.
 "Why?"
 "Her face is so intensely winning, and 50 true"
 "But," he said, the smile still in his eyes, cit is never the same two minutes together. How can you judge ?"
 "It is not judgment exactly, Col. Stuart" she answered. thoughtfully. "It must be something over which l have less control than my judgment"
 "Perhaps so, he said, lightly, though the smile deepened to seriousness in his eyes. "Perhaps it is. Lady Helen Burton has just been giving me hel opinion, too, and she summed it up in very few words, and those borrowed ones. She could only say-and very distressed she seemed about it-that 'hel manners have mot that repose which stamps the caste of We're de We're r Dc you think SOP"
 CT am sure they have not" laughed