New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1891-01-07

Clls4WEi w \ resident of Phila-
\Scf delphia, to visit
her. Her daughters were gay,
fashionable girls, and under their
auspices soon found myself intro
duced into society, and, being a good
dancer and withal not Unlocking, I
received invitations to most of the
balls and parties of an unusually
gay season. ~
1t was at one of the most brilliant
and crowded Of these assemblages
that first met Aura Lee. She was
a Southerner, and had come North
on a visit to her relatives, and had
become at once and decidedly reign
ing belle. Singularly graceful, with
eyes and hair just dark enough to
contrast with complexion pale
and pure as a lily, the peculiar
nature of her charms served but to
enhance their effect. I soon found
myself madly and hopelessly in love
with her, and to crown my misery I
became insanely jealous of every one
that dared claim her attention for a
moment.
Matters were in this state when I
received an invitation to large
party at the house of one Of Miss
Lees most intimate friends. I had
for some time been troubled with a
transient pain in the region of the
heart, for which some simple medicine
had been prescribed, to be taken at
the moment OF attact. The night of
the ball arrived. and I was in the
act of drawing on my gloves, when
the pain seized me. Hastily snatch.
ing the bottle and spoon from where
they were deposited, swallowed the
prescribed dose and started out
somewhat relieved.
AS I reached the door Miss Lee
was just alighting from her carriage,
but when [ descended from the dress
ing-room l sought for her among
the dancers in vain. At last, in
small room adjoining the conserva-
tory, and as yet unvisited by the
gay throng, l discovered her in ap-
parent earnest conversation with
one Of the most assiduous of her
admirers, Mr.. Chester of Virginia.
The demon of jealousy seized upon
my heart at once, and seating my
self on sofa in one of the reccsses I
determined to interrupt by my pres
ence at least the continuance of
their seemingly interesting CONVEX
sation.
AS I gazed at her thought I dis
cerned faint blush tingling her
cheek at some whispered remark
from her companion, and yielding
to the impulse of my jealous feelings
| arose and suddenly came forward.
You promised me this polka, Miss
Lee," I said, offering my arm.
If she was annoyed at having her
tete-a-tete thus interrupted she man.
Tested no vexation, and in mo-
ment we found ourselves in the ball
room. She danced with even more
than her usual grace and spirit, but
the jealous fury that possessed me
rendered me utterly incapable Of en-
tering into the spirit of the dance.
Gradually my irritated feelings re-
solved themselves into q mad reso-
luton to learn my fate at once, and,
as the music ceased, drew my part
ner into the little reception room we
had so recently quilted, and which
was untenanted. The door Of the
conservatory stood invitingly open
and advanced toward it.
"ls there not too much of a
draught there?" said Miss Lee shrink
ing, back. 81 have reason to fear
every breath Of cold air."
"Why sop I asked.
"The physicians have pronounced
my lungs to be extremely delicate,
and a sudden rush of cold air inhaled
while I am heated with dancing, may
prove fatal to me. But look! What
a beautiful camelia!''
We entered the conservatory, and
I closed the door behind US. We
were alone; the family audible
sounds of the orchestra in the ball
room alone broke the stiffness. Yet
could not speak; in silence walk
ed beside her asshe surveyed the rare
plants that surrounded us or bent
to inhale their fragrance. At last
she turned toward me and said:
LET US return to the ballroom, Mr.
Grave; | am engaged to Mr.. Chester
for the next dance" ~
The words maddened me. I seized
the handle of the door, and in tones
OF passionate vehemence, cried:
"You shall not leave this place I'M
til you have heard me, Miss Lee!
have long sought an opportunity of
telling you how wildly l love YOU"
She surveyed me calmly and cold
~.
"You are to violent, Mr. Graves"