Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-05-27
Gas we'll IS golden hair, Mel2'
"Well, no, not hardly; for golden hal
crowns one of the faiIest in the world.
EVERY SPARK OF HOPE.

who had won Melvin Stewards love.
Bat to day, when she had entreated him
to swerve from the path he was following,
and when she asked if his sweetheart
would continue to love him in spite OF
everything, she did not think to be an
swered so soon. But so it was decreed.
1t was late in the afternoon when Mrs.
Stewart sought Dulce. her fair, proud face
wreah he'd in smiles.
'sDulce, dear, have Just received tele-
gram from Hazel Sheldon. She is coming
tonight and 1 am so glad. Why, child,
what is the trouble?" and he sprang
forward, alarmed at the white, agonizsd
face of the listening girl.
Dulce raised one hand, passing it over
her throbbing temple.
"To-night! Did you say she was coming
tonight" she asked slowly, as if dazsd.
| "Yes, and she wishes to surprise Melvin.
You have never met her, Dulce, and /
know you will become good friends, for
who could resist her winsomeness?"
"I shall love her, auntie, because you
do, and because some day she will become
Mel's wife," and the loving girl placed
both arms around the elder woman's neck.
Mrs Ste art looked at her in wonder
ment. The dark eyes gazing into hers
were wildly despairing, and it seemed as if
the young face grew suddenly old and tired
l-eloquently expressive of patient, hope
less misery. Mrs. Stewart clasped her
hands, then bent and kissed the mouth
quivering with pain. A faint. weary smile
passed over Dulce's face.
ssWhat time will she come, auntie p
"The train is due at 5 o'clock. Melvin
will arrive an hour later. What a happy
surprise it will be!' And the fond mother
little dreamed of the bitter anguish the
unhappy girl was enduring because of her
thoughtless words.
The minute.hands. on the great marble
clock moved on until they pointed to past
5. In the spacious parlor Dulce was rest
lessly walking the floor. She had never
looked moro radiantly beautiful than at
this moment, while she waited her rivals
coming. Her eyes were fastened on the
door in feverish impatience
"Oh, / must not steel my heart against
her!' she prayed. "Heaven teach me to
love her. At last!"
| The door was thrown open, and Mrs.
Stewart entered, followed by young girl,
whose presence seemed to flood the room
with sunshine. A petite form, robed in a
travelling suit of soft, dark plush. A
proud little face in which the lily and the
rose were charmingly blended; and around
which clustered a halo of short, golden
curls. Large expressive blue eyes, that
were raised in shy wonder as they rested
on Dnlce Lockhart's wonderful, imperi0us
| beauty.
The two girls whose lives we're so Curl
ously interviewer clasped hands. Dulce
drank in every detail of the proud, ex-
quisite face and dainty figure, then i'm
pusively bent and kissed the uplifted face.
Hazsl's blue eyes wandered about the
room half expectantly.
"When will Melvin arrive, Miss Lock
hart?" she asked simply.
SIT is time for him now. But do not
call me Miss Lockhart. Call me Dulce.-
Let me be your friend"
The fair-haired girl hesitated one mo-
ment, marvelling at the tall, queenly form
and the lovely, wistful face, ard a swift,
jealous pang shot through her.
''Yes, We will be friends, Dulce. and you
are MePs friend also, are you not?"
| Not quiyer passed over the face of the
tortured girl.
ayes, indeed, am. value his friend
ship even as you must value his love-"
The minutes had heightened into hours.
and still Melvin Stewart had not returned.
Soon after Hazel's arrival Banker Ste
wart had sent his wife word that he had
been called out of town on business. So,
thinking that Mel was remaining at the
bank in his fathers place, the unsuspecting
mother retired, leaving the two girls to
await his coming.
"What can detain him, Dulce?" Hazel
asked, impatiently. "Aud just see what
time 1t is!'
Dulce looked up and said that it was fast
nearing 10 o'clock.
"Hazel, forgive me for the liberty l am
ko11 hat toll do
Stewart with your whole hearth" and she
eagerly scanned the fair face.
Eyes, Dulce."
HAZEL, BE TRUE.
"And will you love him always, regard
less of what may hsppenp Oh, you must,
dear, for he loves you so well! 1t will break
his heart if you desert him! He loves these
golden tresses," and she laid her hand
gently on the curly Lead, "becauss he says
they crown the sweetest face in the world.
Oh, Hazel, be true!'
Haze. was silent. The torrent Of hot,
passionate words took her by stern, startl-
| ing her with their wild impetuosity and
their thrilling earnestness. But before she
could utter a word Dulce held up her hand
warningly.
| "Hush, hear his steps."
Aud SO they waited; Hazel, half fright
ened but eager to greet her lover, and
Dutce with blapched face and neart like
lead. She clasped one of Hazs's hands,
and like guardian angel she stood there
as if ready to shield her from approaching
| evil.
They heard the slow, halting step as he
passed through the hall. A moments
pause and the parlor door was opened.
The next, and Melvin Stewart, with widely
dishevelled hair and blood.shot eyes, stood
before them.
"Mel," and Dulce stepped forward in
front of Hazel. 81 am glad you have
come" Her tone was, ,as ever, gently kind
and soothing.
'.What-glad to see mea he exclaimed
huskily. "Then kiss me--why!"
A low, pteous cry broke from the girl
Dulce had been hiding from view.
sThat--Mells" she cried in horror. "No,
mol"
"Hazel--you?" and the drunken man
reeied forward.
But she recoiled from him, and with
widely. opened, terrified eyes she faced
Duloe.
"Dulce! Dulce! Am l dreaming? Oh,
merciful Heaven, can it be Mel--my
lover?"
eyes, DEAR it is Mel" and Dulce threw
her arms around the swaying girl. "Be
pitiful."
"Pitiful! 1 cannot! No, don't dare
touch me, Melvin Stewartl"
She pulled her dress from his grasp, while
an irrepressible shudder shook her slight
form.
II HATE YOU"
A lurid fire burned in his wild eyes and
he, who had SO degraded his manhood,
raised his clenched fist.
Hazel shrank back, clingng to Dulce.
'Mel!' and his uplifted arm was clasped
gently. "Mel, you would not do that!'
Dulce's soft eyes gazsd into his
He looked at her moment, and gradu-
ally the angry fire burned out She smiled
quietly,
Remember it is Hazel"
, "Hazel r. and he turned to the girl re-
gardng him so coldly.