Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-11
CHAPTER Nv.
II was January, three years later.

IL was January, three years later.
One bright afternoon the windows of hand
some residence on - avenue in Washing
ton were screened from observation by their
protective blinds, and were it not for the row
of carriages drawn up before the door. the
passer-by might have wondered WHY the warm
light Of the sun should not have been permitted
to Hood Its many apartments.
Within. however, was a paradise of artificial
brllllancy. The spacious parlors were beauti-
fully illuminated by electricity, while large
mirrors of the finest glass reflected the light
INTO every corner. Vases Of great value and rare
beauty adorned the mantels, and flowers taste
July arranged throughout the rooms diffused a
delicious perfume and completed the beauty of
the scene. A large table, laden with salads and
all the dehcacies of the season. occupied the
rear portion OF the dining room, and around il.
chatting and partaklng of the Refreshments
lowered many persons well known to Washing
ton society. Five charming young ladies per-
formed the graceful duty of serving the guests
while In the front parlor Mrs. Mcdonald.
formerly OF Bearhaven, received the new
corners and introduced them to her Young
cousin, Miss Venisse, who was making her a
visit, and In whose honor she was giving Thurs
day teas through January.
"Ah, Mr.. cambridge" as that Young man
entered, delighted to see you. Do you know
1t always makes me think of dear old home
again to see any one from Bearhaven Your
father, quite well, 1 hopper Yes? And now let
me present you to my cousin; Miss venisse,
Mr.. cambridge"
II think have had the pleasure" SIAM
mered Frank, as he almost stared at Mabel.
now looking lovelier than ever in her white
silk gown, with scarcely an ornament save a
diamond pin in her lovely hair.
20 yes" she said, MIR. cambridge and I
are quite old friends He once rendered me n
service which shall never forget" And then
she and Frank chatted a few moments until
more guests arrived. "And you will be sure
and come to see me, Mr.. cambridge, won't
you?' she urged as Frank was about to
take his departure after a brief journey through
the rooms. Indeed shall, with the greatest
pleasure" answered Frank and he meant il
with all his heart.
During the three weeks more that Frank wa,
In Washington he was very frequent visitor
at Mrs. McDonalds. He found Mabel more
and moro attractive, her wit and beauty leading
him gradually along unconsciously until about
three days before his departure fog Bearhayen.
for he had finished the business which had
brought him to Washington and affairs at home
demanded his attention, he suddenly awakened
to the fact that he was deeply in love with
Mabel VenIsse. The thought that he must
leave her In day or two panied him 30 that he
was now fully aware that it was no
warm friendship that existed between
/ them. he set down the night on which he
made this discovery and began to think things
over. he could never marry Mary Stuart for
ne I'D not, could not love her, and to marry a
/ girl whom he did not love was against his sense
OF right. Better far to tell her SO than to make
both lives miserable trying to act up to an af-
| lection which he did net feel and which low
ing wife would expect. But to see Mable again
and bid her goodbye without betraying his
secret was the task he most dreaded. He must
brace himself for il, however, and what should
he say to Mary when no arrived home? He
could not tell her the truth now; he must put
\ of his wedding as indefinitely as possible and
well, when the time did come do the best in
his power. And Mabel? She should never see
him again, thought Frank. He would avoid
meeting herr would try to forget her. Then no
wondered if she could ever return his love if
everything were only all right But every
thing isn't all right, it's all wrong" sighed
| Frank But she was awfully nice to me and
she certainly likes me. Well, its no use," and
he went to bed and tried TO sleep away his
! troubles.
Mary Stuart worked on quietly with her art
all the spring, and Frank treated her with the
same defferential attention that had always
marked their intimacy. friend of Mr.. Balm
| bridges, an artist, visited them every little
while and took great interest in Mary's work
Mr.. Delaney was o man of thirty-five good
! looking, bus Of the heavy type; painter Of