The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1891-05-08

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'Shall see you at the Leonards' to-
morrow night?'
YES. | shall be there"
"All right; good night" and, whistlng
softly to himself, he passed out of the
Merrick house, where Laurence Weston
had his bachelor quarters.
After he had gone his friend finished
his cigar and then, with smile on his
| lips, retired for the night.
Laurence Weston was handsome
man, and ne knew it and made use of
the knowledge whenever he could.
He was 4 great favorite with the
weaker sex-handsome men always are
and 'rad he desired to, he might have
counte,. his conquests by the score.
He was not wealthy. His income
barely sufficed for his own luxurious
living, ard wherhe married he could
by no means afford to despise that dross
for which men have, before now, sold
their souls.
| Surely it was no harm for him to part
with that insignificant organ in his anat-
omy, which he called heart, in return
for fair amount of loneliness and gold.
The next night found him faultlessly
attired, at Mrs. Leonards reception.
A simmer of peach bloom satin, in
the moving mass of humanity, attracted
him, and taking a pair of sparkling
brown eyes as guiding stars, he made
his way to the side of Blanche Sturte-
want.
AS she made room for him beside her,
che said:
Il thought you didn't like recep-
tons.
II do not, as general thing" he re-
piled, but this had a peculiar attrac-
ton for me-
The meaning he threw into the glance
he bestowed on her sent the delicate
rose bloom to her checks, and she
looked ten times as lovely to his fastidi-
GUS eyes,
But suddenly, while he gazed at her
pretty, flushed face, a queer sensation
seized him. He felt actually tinid
about asking this beautiful girl to be
| his wife-even though he had been for
years man of the world Somehow
he felt as though she could read his
very thoughts with those bright eyes.
"Do look very badly?"
Her musical voice recalled him to his
senses.
81 beg your pardon. Was I staring
at you? Your dress is beautiful-and
you"
Thank you," she said, hurriedly.
Il fancied from the intentness of
your gaze you had not quite decided
whether l would do or not" and she
laughed softly.
Il was in brown study" he re-
turned.
The crowd surged around them, and
two or three men looked anXiously at
the seat occupied by Weston.
Some music was playing in another
room, and when the strain had ended
he spoke again.
miss Sturtevant," he said, 81 wanted
to ask you question tonight, but the
| crowd is so great that there is not much
opportunity for confidential talks. If
will write to you tomorrow, will you
favor me with reply?"
Certainly" and the brown eyes
smiled sweetly, and perhaps uncon-
sciously, at him, as he rose to relin-
quish his seat to another admirer
"There-that was neatly DONE" was
his mental comment, mo fuss. no love-
making to undergo-nothing disagree
able, and, if the fates are kind, | shall
have one of the finest looking and one
of the richest women in c. for my
| wife,
He threaded his way carefully among
the crowd, replying to kindly greet
ing here and there, and presently found
himself in the conservatory.
Bit it was occupied.
Standing under tall palm, radiant
vision in blue and gold, stood Blanche
| Wellington.
| His face frightened as he approached
her, for anything beautiful always APP
pealed strongly to the artistic side of
his nature, and what could be more
beautiful than this tall, queenly woman
with crown of golden hair. and the
deep blue of violet lurking in the cool
depths of her eyes.
What an opportunity there was to
win for his own this lovely girl!
His conversation with Miss Sturte-
want, few moments ago, crossed his
mind, but he dismissed it with a
thought.
He could easily explain to her his
| request. Thank Heaven, he had net
committed himself
Miss Wellington turned to him with
a smile.
$50 you are here this evening. Do
you enjoy it,
81 have not-until now"
What did it matter if that sweet
| speech was false, it was very neat. At
any rate it brought beautiful color to
the soft check of the maiden before
| him.
is it not beautiful in here?" she
said
YES" fervently, sit is fit setting
for you"
| Now you are fattering me-
Indeed | am not, l am always
truthful and he threw world of
counterfeit tenderness into the dark
eyes he turned upon her.
1t was only step from thai to some
thing more-and he took it.
| HoIdiu,r bar soft white hand in hic