The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1894-06-15
THE LOST LETTER,

Forsythe as she stood in all her queen
" beauty before the long mirror in her
boudoir.
II should consider my toilet incom.
plete without it," as the little French
maid brought forth Il crimson rose to
pin in your mistress's hair
Lillys made a beautiful picture IN
the full glare of the light, which
caused her raven hair TO seem tie
blacker against the delicate yellow OF
her evening gown.
"MademOselle looks beautiful-like a
bride" remarked Jeanne.
''Do you think sol" said Lillys, glanc.
ing dreamily at her own reflection,
then Frightening suddenly.
Jeanne. you are a tlatterer-I do
not believe you-besides brides never
wear red roses. The idea. Jeanne.
only my third ball tonight and to look
like brlde You may rest assured
| am going to enjoy life now and shall
not marry for many year"
"Ah. Mile. Lillys, qul Salt! You will
be in love before you are aware" re-
piled Jeanne with a wise nod of her
head.
Lillys laughed gayly, took a few last
glances at herself in the mirror and
was satisfied.
The clock on the mantle struck nine.
and Lillys was buttoning the last but.
ton of her long gloves. when the ser.
want announced Mr.. Crayton.
Very well, l shall be down direct.
ly. Jeanne. throw my opera cloak
over mt, don't muss the lace-therc.
hand me the fan-I'm ready"
The next moment Lillys had reached
the drawing room and greeted Mr..
Crayton, her escort for the evening.
Arrived at the magnificent lighted
dancing hall of Mrs. Upton's hand
some mansion. Lillys Forsythe was al
once the centre of attraction.
II was a well-establishcd fact that
Kenneth Crayton was madly in love
with the young woman and that he
was the favorite one of her admirers.
7 say "favorite," inasmuch as she ac-
cepted his invitations more frequently
than others, but just this evening she
became convinced that she was not
the least bit in love with him.
"Of course | am TO have my usual
number of dances on your programme.
Miss ForsytheT said Kenneth Cray
ton.
Il think not, Mr.. Crayton. as Mr..
Barlow has alread secured several
and"
Then | am 10 understand that
may take what is leftT questioned
Crayton, not without sarcasm, for If
there was one thing he could not en-
dure it was to see himself eclipsed by
another. so ambitious was he and SO
accustomed TO success.
"No. not exactly" replied Iillys with
o sweet smile. the instrument which
had never failed in conquering him.
"Confound Barlow. anyhow" he
murmured.
''Mr. Crayton." as she looked at him
with a tragi-comical expression, which
was very fetching, show complimen-
tary"
Later In the evening as the strains
Of dreamy waltz foated on the air,
Lillys, leaning on the arm of Herbert
Barlow, walked into the library ana
there In a secluded nook they sat down
on the divan.
Lillys had a peculiar way of making
herself effective; she lid not pose
but being graceful, every one Of her
attitudes was pictureSQHa and pleas
ing. Herbert Barlow's eyes even We're
daZzled by her enhancing lovelness
as she sat there against the rich ori-
entail tapestries with her sparkling.
oh, had almost forgotten; this is
the waltz I promised Mr. Crayton. Do
take me back to the ball room, AIr
Barlow, before il is too late"
Miss Forsythe." began Barlow, IN
measured tones, looking steadfastlv at
the girl with his penetrating. gray
eyes, "can you not give up one dance
With that man for met"
"Yes, but Lillys t'ied not Il
notice nor understand the last words
Mr. Crayton was already complain
Ing OF being treated unfairly by me
tonight and So"
$50 it would serve him right TO suf-
fer little for such a remark put in
BARLOW.
NO with a little pout, mot exact
ly; he has been very kind to me all
along" With chat the girl arose, and
there was nothing for Barlow to do
but TO escort her and to wonder why
she treated him with such eXasperat-
ing Indifference
Lillys Forsythe was an orphan, and
the heiress of her fathers enormous
wealth. For year or more she had
made her home with a married cousin
several years her senior. Dorothy
Kirk and Lillys Forsythe, besides
DOluH cplklHSt were t7N ntSl OI ITleQ1S,
and Gordon. Dorothy's husband, great
ly appreciated the presence of his
wite's relative ~ his home
1T kind of liyens up the house." so
Mr.. Kirk expressed II, 'to have
young girl around. A man likes to
see more merry making when he comes
home from his ofice."
AS for 1dllys, she was perfectly hap
ry when Dorothy geye her permission
TO have the apara tments adjoining the
nursery, for she was exceedingly fond
)f her Cousins children, and IN turn
was their Idol. OF the uhree rollck
ng, romping, fo,r-year-oid Teddy wac
ne especial laYorite u Aang Liilys'
% her rooms he was monarch Of all