The Dickinson press., 1894-12-29

and there from the 1enseness OF
shadows, and moved her with q vague
fear, as If she trod in some city Of
the dead.
Suddenly before her she saw a sight
that held her breathless. 1t seemed
as If she looked upon a way Of fire,
OF as IL the whole earth burned with
a myriad flaming flowers, that had
sprung suddenly from the darkness.
A river Of light glowed before her;
domes, cupolas. streets. houses, all
were bathed in it's radiance, and ablaze
with its golden splendar.
She stood aghast, doubling her own
sight, marvelling whether she did not
dream.
She did not know it was the moc0-
letti of the Carnival ut which she gazed.
In her own province it was altogether
unknown, and she had neve heard of
it at all; and this torrent Of light and
mad uproar Of people deafened and
terrified her, and held her there mo-
tionless in her horror and her dread.
She turned away ut last. and ran
swiftly down some quiet sides treet,
thinking 1t led away from the tumult
Size y found herself mistaken. A
crowd seemed to spring up or all sides
before, behind, around her. She was
wedged in by a multitude from whom
escape was impossible. They bore her
along BIZ, the force Of their WI nov
ment, past frightened horses and fan
tastic cars and throngs of maskers,
all with flaming tapers in their hands,
each one bent OH eXtfnguishing his
neighbours and preserving his W
alight.
Crushed and breathless, she ut Inst
found II moments cessation of that on.
ward progress. and taking advantage
of it, she chung to a doorway near by,
the arch IF which gave her temporary
shelter. There she stood trembling like
n frightened hare, as she watched thu
heaving, pushing crowd surge by, while
the whole air seemed alive with this
luminous fantastic war Of flames.
AS she waited, shrinking back as far
US possible for fear of again being
caught by that seetling mass, her eyes
wandered to a window opposite, be-
meath which a wide gallery had e
erected. 1t was draped with crimson
and gold, and cushioned seats were
placed on it; and there before her, rest
ing her arms on the balustrade, and
laughing like a child in high glee at
the sight before her, was a woman so
beautiful that Genna Involuntary
started as her eyes rested on her. Was
it-could it be Mia?
She gazcd on-doubting, marvelling,
both in onc The lovely face, the pout-
ing. child-like lips, the exquisite grace
| Of the figure, the great, lustrOus, laugh
ing eyes, Ill were the same, and yet
so different. Robes Of velvet and satin
EMBODIED her, jewels flashed in her
beautiful hair, and dropped like sparks
| of fame from the tiny ears Yes-tt
was Nita beyond doubt. The eye of
love could not be deceived. A great
longing seized her to see and talk to her
sister, and crossing the street, she pre-
scented herself ut the door and, after
some misgivings on the part OF the
| servants, was conducted into the sump-
tuOus apartments of her sister.
"And-when-I mean, what do you
intend to do herc?" were the first
words that greeted her ear. And Nita
locked doubtfully Mt the shabby gar
ments and course figure before her.
Gerna flushed with momentary
shame. Not for herslf, but for the
shallower nature that had so quickly
learned the worlds first lessons, and
measured even affection by appearance.
ut need not trouble you," b said
coldly. II go hack at once. II am
glad all is - i N..n you. There is no
need to ask if you are happy-and your
husband-is good to you, no doubt"
MY husband!!" Nita's lips curled
superciliously. HE is my slave; adores,
idolizes, worships me. I have not done
so badly for myself, you see, Genna,
after all. l told you that I had ideas
far beyond the life I led-the life you
would have condemned me to, even
now, had 1 been foolish enough to stay
with you"
Sat least you might have told me
you were going away" said Genna, re-
bukingly-pained and hurt by the cold
ness and selfislness Of this girl, who
held in such little worth the fidelity and
love of long years and patient service,
not stolen away and left us all to Inn
agine-"
"What?"