Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1890-12-03
She SaliSmal.

IT was only an afternoon tea. PuI-
IN roses in amber bowls fell over q
white silk scarf across the table. Deep
ed strawberries heaped high In q tall
lass dish for . bit Of color, and tue
lght from dozen gas jets were
haded with gold.
Esther Grant, the only daughter
4 Senator Grant, poured the tea from
be pretty brass swinging kettle, as It
TODD on the small table near the palms
nd orchids. The lovely "rosebuds"
T the season served the callers with
iny cups Of most delicate china tilled
Nth tea and chocolate; bits Of cake,
vafsrs and buns, on Japanese trays,
we're passed to callers by the creme
leila creme Of our society girls.
Miss Grant was quite leader in her
rery quiet way. Some called her
cold and proud" but to her friends
be was strong and true. Her eyes
we're gray and dark, her hair heavy
nd brown. No shadow Of wrong
urksd under her clear, womanly man
Ter and gaze.
This afternoon she was dressed all
q white. Some yellow roses with
ong stems hung from her belt Of SIM
ile white ribbon. On her third finger
rembled q pale sapphire ring; large,
lear, beautiful az star, the Jewel
ooked q big drop Of blue water.
The drawing-room and parlors were
uled with merry guests, with the
fragrance Of many flowers, and the
,esuty Of youth and fashion. Esthei's
olor came and went she seemed ex.
,ecting some ous and "the girls"
sid:-
"Oh, yes; time enough yet, dear
rhere-there be isl"
"What food Of color and lightl"
aid one.
"what q beauhAer love Isl" said
mother.
Robert Walbridge was q young ar
ist Of . good old Virginia family, and
lready showing good talent In his
works. he had been engaged 10 Es-
her two months, and was accepted
lady by her friends, but opposed Bit
erly by her stately old father, who
Till declared that Count Marini should
win and wear Queen Esther"
Robert smiled at the radiance Of Es-
hers beautiful face as he said simply,
i am glad TO be here, Esther" aud
,asssd on with the crowd.
Could the world hold another woman
o fair, so true? How often In the
months to come did he recall the pict-
Ire Of this day! The long-stemmed
.olden roses, dropping with the heat,
Wing against her breast and falling In
Ter lap; the pale, soft light Of the
haded lamps: the white and gold Of
he table at which she sat; the scarlet
,erries in the clear glass, the music in
he next room, the laughter and voices,
he trailing Of pretty gowns on the soft
ugs; and through all the beauty, the
aint sweetness of the roses.
He had never been SO utterly pos
essed with g charming picture. He
wondered why Esther was always the
anne, never less beautiful, never less
ender; but II life should last thous-
md years, this day would be unfor.
rotten.
Nowadays, laces and jewels are CON-
non, and lsvishly worn by our society
,eople. Necklaces Of pearls and dis.
nonds, OF great price, glitter on the
leck. of our handsome women at the
Capitol. Twenty thousand dollars is
Iot much for one pendant. Mrs.
stamford owns the celebrated yellow
diamonds which once belonged to
queen Isabella of Spain; another
wears the beautiful turquoise Of Mex
co, rare stones from Russia, crystals
rom Symrns, and opals Of many gen.
radons.
Esther's bstrothal ring was the ad-
niration Of all her friends, aud that
vas her only Jewel.
Roberts mother died two years be-
tore her Last kiss was upon the brown
sand Of her boy ss she feebly pressed
he ring on his finger and said
"ly son, this u The tahsmap o1
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