The morning call., 1893-09-10

ported by graceful throat rising from a
pust white as alabaster and perfect in
mold.
There will be none there to compare
with you," said the indulgent mother.
glaneing at her proudly.
II think | am perfect. But where's
Jack? told him not TO keep me waiting !;
II he begins by making me cross he will
spoil my temper"
AS she looked again in the mirror she
saw the door open and her brother enter
slowly. His face was pale and there was
something unusual in his appearance that
Immediately arrested her attention. The
thought flashed upon her that he had been
drinking. and with an air of indignation
she turned around prepared 10 stab him
with phrase. AS he advanced into the
room she saw. however, that his walk was
steady and his manner collected.
what is the matter?" she asked,
breathlessly.
Something has happened to-to-a
friend OF ours" he replied.
IA friend?"
"Yes, some one you know very well-a
man whom you saw to-day"
"Oliyer Ormand?" she said, in a low
tone.
Yes. He is dead"
How did it happen?" she asked, in
voice which she strove to steady.
in returning home this afternoon he
NdS CEbSSlHS L at q dVOo-Dark
corner, when cart knocked him down,
and one OF the wheels passed over his
throat. He was carried to ST. Georges
Hospital, but before reaching it he was
dead"
Phillis sat down. 1t was by an accident
then, and not by suicide, as she at first
feared. that he had died. She was spared
the remorse that might arise at thought of
his self-destructon. he was dead, and he
had kissed her hand but few hours ago:
the impression of his lips was still almost
fresh upon the flesh. And he had loved
her, aye, better than any man might ever
love her again. His death was a sore loss.
Then she remembered her portrait. 1t
would remain Unfinished now. and could
not hang upon the walls of the Academy,
as she had so long and so earnestly desired
That was bitter disappointment. An
other would be if his death prevented her
from attending this ball. to which she had
looked forward with pleasure for weeks
Lord Edgehill would 6e there. aud he
would lonk for her.
Must she lose this opportunity of win
ming him? That would be an Injustice to
herself which she cosd not permit.
Com" she said, breaking the silence
her mother and brother had kept, fearful
of disturbing her. e
go to the ball tonight" cried Jack, in
dignantly
"Why not. pray? Mr.. Ormand was not
a relative"
But he was a friend.''
III we are TO remain at home because
friends die we should never 90 oui." she
replied. her eyes beginning to sparkle
Besides, people who knew he lived
you will wonder" said Jack.
No one will know | have heard of his
DEATH
But the men at the club told me-"
And they will naturally think you had
more tact and consideration than TO come
and repeat this news and strive to spoil
my evenings amusement" she replied
angrily.
Il didn't think"
mo, you never do until it is too late.
Life is too short and my pleasures, at
least, too few 20 sacrifice this" she an
swered. sweeping Indignantly across the
room. Then stopping over and kissing the
invalid. who looked pale and frightened,
she said, Goodnight. mother. I'm going"
and left the apartment
Jack. go with her. dear, or she will go
alone. his mother whispered, and he
Obeyed.
During their drive Philis spoke no word.
She was vexed that her brother had tod
her this news. and indignant that her
wishes should have met with opposition,
DO matter how slight. Most of all, she Was
afraid her annoyance should he noticed
AID her appearance spoiled, on this even
ing wien of all others she wished to look
to best advantage. On arriving at tie
Moncriefs they could hear the strains of a
band and the patter of feet. The whole
house was ablaze with lights, and the hall
and staircase crowded with palms and
flowers. The effect somewhat relieved
Phillis' hnmor. She resolved to bauish the
recollection OF the last half hour from her
mind and TO enjoy the dance as il nothing
had happened. In the lobbies and around
the door OF the ballroom were groups uf
men who stared in admiration as she
passed, and inquired who she was. TIE
hostess received her with effusion, and
presently number of men whom she
knew crowded round and asked her to
dance. She did not quite fill her pro-
gramme, but left spaces hers and there
which she hoped to fill with Lord Edge
hills name.
Soon she was in the midst of the dancers,
whrling about to the delicious strains of a
waltz. glare of light spinning round her,
the odor of u myriad of flowers in the at
mospheFe, face smiling down into her
Gwn, and al! thought Of what had just
passed was erasou & em her mind. With
feverish pleasure the nigit fitted qtiick1y,
having but one drawback-Lord Edgehiii
had not yet asked her TO dance. and was
paying evident attention to a darkroom
plexiOned girl.
experienced some relief when eventually
he came and SAT beside her and asked her
for waltz. She received him coelly, and
pretended to believe she was fully en-
gagged; but on examining her programme
saw she had no partner for one far down
on the list. This she promised him, and
he lett. But when tie time came 10 claim
her he was beside her once more, and with
his arm around her she whirled through
the great room as If she was treading on
air.
IL thought you would be here tonight"
he said. when presently they moved at a
slower pace. Il should have been much
disappointed il you WEREN'T
81 was undecided about coming" she re-
piled in a tone of indifference. for she had
not forgiven him his attentions to the dark
girl; IL felt tired today
"But Pm glad YOU have come. Isn't this
dance delightful?"
Yes"
She was leaning over his shoulder, NOV
ing seemingly without voluntary action of
her own, lulled by the rhythm of the
music and the motion of the dance into
delicious feeling of pleasure, when Oh rails
ing her eyes she caught sight of face and
figure passing at the lower end of the
room. Suddenly her heart stopped. she