The record-union., 1891-05-10

udHce. Guy winthrop, knowing they
would be there, had stationed himself
all comers. He was soon bowing in
| courtly fashion over Amparo's hand, his
| blue eyes eagerly asking for Just one
! glimpse of the dark eyes, whose long
lashes rested on the deeper rose-tinted
| cheek, Elmer Stone savagely noticing
the heightened color with a jealous thrill,
as he wondered what that American
chap was saying to cause it. Would,
"May / have waltz" said, in earnest
tones, cause the thrill in girlish heart?
Ask ye the wind. In reply they might
say nay, but the prelude, preface (what
you will, of the old, old story is just the
same the wide world over.
And Elmer's prescience of loss, of
what he valued more than life, was cor
rect. The tugging at his hear. strings
had only just commenced, and many an
ache was in store for him, but Pandora,s
box had still its little stock of hope left.
The band was playing 10 Tamo."
| With those sweet strains in ones ears, and
Amparo in ones arms, and life, health
and youth, 'all is vanity is true; but
vanity let it be, happiness may be fleet
ing, but it may fleet" Elmer was en-
joying the present and Guy was anticipat-
ing. Amparo was fond of dancing. FL
mer guided her skillfully through the
throng, and her heart was beating hap
PLY with pleasant consciousness not to
be accounted for, unless deep, blue eyes
were the cause of it.
The square dance over it was GUYS
waltz then, and as Amparo's little hand
rested on his shoulder he mentally reg
lstered vow that if it could be persuaded
TO be always in his keeping, he would do
the persuading, for his heart would never
| know peace again. One shy glance had
made him willing victim.
he returned her TO her mother after
the waltz and stood by the balcony, not
seeking or desiring another partner till
time and the tide of dances stranded him
on the shore Of the haven, where he
would be with Amparo as sole compan-
ion.
Time may fly, but l think he has ri
val in love. Love progresses very fast.
Weeks? All, no. Say hours, minutes
even. l believe he steals the wings from
his mothers doves to aid him in his
flight. The little shafts are winged from
feathers clipped from Mercury's heels;
that God forgives the theft, for, in the
golden days of long ago, love brought
Mercury his own love, so they are quits.
At supper AmparO sat opposite to Guy,
and his partner never knew, as the hand
some American helped her so aSsiduously,
how often his eyes wandered to the face
opposite, or how his heart bounded when
he caught the sound Of her musical voice
On her side OF the table she often
caught glimpse of his golden-cropped
head, and her escort wondered why she
was so unusually silent; but he, poor
moth, was content to SINCE his wings in
gazing at her beauty.
The ball over, Guy escorted them to
their carriages. AS he barred his head,
in wishing them good night he begged
for one faded crimson rose. The Sonora
had turned her head to adjust the cush-
ions as AmparO, with beating heart,
complied with his request, and they both
went home to dream sweet, foolish
dreams of each other, Amparo recalling
every word and glance that thrilled her
girlish heart.
AS for Elmer he never remembered
that Rialto Club ball without sigh, for
he knew that the fiat had gone forth and
she might never be his.
OF course her friendship remained: but
what earthly man viii be contented with
friendship when he wants love, pure and
simple. Asking for bread-getting a
stone truly"
The day after Amparo was in the con-
seryatory culling crimson roses. A gold
girdle, set with topaz, encircled her slen-
der waist; her hair, arranged high with a
Roman gold dagger, set with topaz, was
thrust through the massive coils. The
setting sun streamed through the glass
easement, enyeloped her in a mist of
crimson beams and tinted the creamy
bare arms that the flowing lace of her
sleeves exposed.
The boy had just ushered Guy into the
pretty salon, and he stood in rapt admi-
ration of the pretty picture as she ar
ranged flowers unconscious of his pres
ence.
His heart beat so he thought surely she
must hear it and turn.
Just then the door of All adjoining room
slammed. She started forward and saw
him. The color rushed to brow and
chin as she came forward in her graceful,
pretty way as he said: ''Ah, did startle
you, Senorita Arenas? Forgive me; but
when I saw your occupation I did not
want TO disturb YOU. Those flowers
tended by you [ envy them, though" he
said earnestly.
''You would not if you knew 1 would
disown you when in the sere and yellow"
said Amparo, laughingly; "or, if you
blossomed too freely, nipped you in the
bud"
"Well if it was nip, and tuck me in
your corsage bouquet 1 would I were a
rose" he returned, falling in with her
gay humor.
II did not hear your footsteps said
"No? Well, in the presence of flowers
Of beauty my manly soul was stricken
with silence. VIII that excuse me? And
then the Muchdco Nirlo called my name
as he ushered me in, but your BIRDS mu-
sic drowned his mellow treble"
And you," said Amparo, pursued the
even tenor of your way. Well, you are
forgiven, as / was a little lonely Mother
has gone to return calls"
Then these two continued in pleasant
chat, and often the blue, earnest eyes met
, Amparo's dark ones; and time flew until
her mother, returning at 8, aroused them
both to things mundane.
After greeting him pleasantly she in
vited him to their ) o'clock tea, "e1, fan,i-
lie, you know" she said gayly as she
touched the electric bell for the waiter,
who soon appeared, balancing nicely a
silver tray in one hand, loaded with deli
cacleS, and In the other hand an urn of
steaming water and a silver caddy of tea.
Drawing a small table from recess he
hastily threw gold-embroidered cloth
on it; arranged the plates of fruit and
small cake, berries and golden-hue
honey; decanter and glasses for the
sweet and sour wine. Then his office
over he withdrew, and Amparo arose to
make the tea. In a few moments she
called to them to draw the chairs up; and
then the door opening the Greek boy an
nounced several friends. After greetings
they, too, joined them at tea, and with
pleasant chat and friendliness most en-
joyable hour passed.
Then the ladies left and Guy arose to
say adios. He ventured to look into Am
paro's eyes, but the long lashes lay on
her flushed cheek hiding their beauty, so
he only gave her hand lingering press
ure, and the Sonora herself friendly
handshake and left. Over his cigar that
night he again dreamt sweet dreams of
| hope and love; and with the cigar smoke
arose prayers and blessings for Amparo
and incense OF thoughts true and pure, of
a sincerity hardly creditable on so short
an acquaintance. But verify love goeth
swifter than the flames of fire, never to
die out, if its the genuine article. easily
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