The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-02-18

lust seated himself, smluuS ana thlknS
at the side Of his beautiful companion,
Miss Cordelia Carsland,
She was too agitated to diver. her
gaze from the man she loved so madly-
and hopeessly, it appeared-and all
she could do for time was to sit there,
staring at him and the gifl. Behind
she could hear someone saying
"That is Sir Sydney Carsland with the
scarlet handkerchief showed between
his shirt front aud his veat, and the
lady on his right is Lady Carsland.
The other lady, on his lett, is the bRro-
nets daughter Mics Cordelia, believe
they call her-and the gentleman who
Is paying such marked attention to her
is Sir Sidney's ward, Mr. Paul Meredith.
What finely matched pair they are,
are they not? And people do say that
their engagement is ON the eve OF being
announced"
The man kept on talking, pointing
out and giving a name and place to the
other gentry assembled, But his words
became vague, an indistinct hum III
Salome's ears, She was satisfied now
that Hugh Eastwood haa neltlter he'd
nor made a mistake. ~ ~
With an effort she dragged her gaze
from the pair and turned her face to
the stage. Her friends tug ut her
sleeve had warned her that the play
was beginning so she endeavored to
forget the real drama in which she was
engaged, and tried to concentrate her
attention on the mimic one now open
ing on the boards
But her thoughts were not to be
chained, The men and women on the
stage became shadows, mounting SEN
fences she could not graspi and ii her
face was directed towards the footlights
she and her mind were behind her in
the centre OF the dress-circle where
Paul Meredith and Cordelia CarslNnd
were sitting, doubtless enjoying them
selves and the play, while she was eat
ing out her very heart in direst
anguish.
That her handsome and arlstocratic
lover had been playing with her heart
and affections there was no reason to
doubt. In every particular concerning
himself lie had willlully, grossly deceiy-
cd her. He had given false name, q
spurious address; and instead OF being
the commercial traveller he had init
mated he was Paul Meredith, Sir Sid
ney Carsland's ward.
There was little to DO wondered at
considering those things that the girls
breast was heavy as earth, and that her
head was crowded with thoughts OF the
bitterest and most disQuieting kind,
And yet all the walls OF her wrath
were not emptied on Paul Meredith
alone; she blamed herself as much as
she blamed him Had she been wise,
even sensible, she would have refused
TO meet q stranger Of whom she knew
almost nothing-would have declined to
permit anyone to WOO her in secret as
lover whose history was not in her
keeping, and OF whose probity and hon.
Durable intentions there was not the
least suspicion.
The fault was hers alone--as was the
punishment. She had held herself too
cheap, in Paul Meredith's sight, and he
had simply taken her at her own valua-
ton. What would he think OF herr
II he thought OF her at all he would
write her down us one who was careless
OF her good na6le-as reckless ilirt,
who was prepared to "carry on" with
the first good looking man who threw
himself in her way.
These and host OF other kindred re-
Elections fitted through Salome's brain,
as she sat there so engrossed in her own
trouble that the actors on the stage
came and went like the dim creatures
that people dreams.
She wanted, ever so much, to turn
about and look once again upon her
recreant lover and Miss Carsland; but
she had not the nerve to face the pain
full sight; she wished to be anywhere
rather than amidst that crowd, but she
lacked the courage to get up and walk
out, dreading the explanations she
would be called OH to make to her COM
panion.
II Nell had not been deeply absorbed
in the play and the players she could
not have failed to notice Salome's dis
traught condition. With her attention
riveted on the stage Nell seldom per-
mitted her gaze to leave the boards, and
tho occasional remarks she addressed
to her friend were Of such q nature as to
require no delinite answer svi5o ts
When the curtain fell on the first act
there was tho usual hum OF CONVERSE
ton and hustle OF people moving about.
Thirsty players in the side circles aud
dress circle left their seats aud picked
their way towards the refreshment bar.
Now Salome found courage to glance
al hnR dRI1H Inv n N fluruH q -
ly along the edge OF the velvet covered
ledge until they rested upon Paul Mere
dith and Cornelia Carsland. He was
on his feet aud was whispering some-
thing into the fair girls pretty ear
probably eXcusing himself for leaving
her side while he followed the barouet
his worship and the rest Of their male
friends to the bar.
At that moment Meredith's eyes and
those OF Salome met. Her look was
cold us ice, defiant as she could make it
Ibis was one OF sudden wonder and
confusion. That exChanre of glNnces
was like a passage at arms. The soul OF
each was facing the other, ana that hers
was tho stronger aud more righteous
one was quickly evident, for his hand
some countenance famed scarlet in n
moment, his eyes dropped, he turned
away with audden gesture from Cor
delia's side, and mounted the red steps
leading to tho reireshment room.
salome watched him until he disap-
peared through the folding doors, and
then she leaned back in her place with
same measure Of satisfaction in her
breast. Out OF that silent war OF looks
she had come victorious. His guilt had
been plainly written on his face; and
the unexpected sight Of her had driven
him in haste and confusion from her
rivals side.
When tho curtain roso again Salome