The morning call., 1894-09-14

the girls were shut up in their rooms un-
twisting wonderful crimps and otherwise
| raLaring for conquest.
| In her own room, with the door securely
| fastened. Effie Selwyn was, she said in
her own heart making a goose" of her.
| self.
a very fair and satisfactory goose she
made as her preparat lions were completed,
| though her own criticism was not compli-
| mentary.
81 am but faded old maid, after ali. 4"
Was she? Her 80 years OF peaceful life,
with only one heart struggle, had left her
| face as smooth as in girlnood. Blooming
she had never been, her oval face having
| soft, creamy complexion that was sell
dom flushed with color, though It's exquis-
1te fairness was never pallor.
Her delicate, straight nose. small, sweet
mouth, even, white teeth, and large. soft
brown eyes were as attractive al ever, and
the rich brown hair, dressed now IN pGmpa-
dour rolls, was bright in its glossy waves
as 1t had been twelve years ago.
Considering it is twelve years since L
wore this dress and flowers. do not look
so very much antlQuated. A train is al
ways train. aud l suppose the oyerskirt
m0dernzes il" thought Effie.
Then she went to a box hidden away in
her bureau drawer, and from lis most
secret corner she took ring carefully
wrapped in soft cotton.
Dare I?" she whispered, turning it
ronnd under the gaslight and showing the
device. an enameled violet with flashing
diamond for its heart.
"Will he desDise me il put it on ?" she
thought. 'Will he think | am too easily
won back again? Should | despise the
hasty judgment that led him to coz
demn me unheard twelve long, long years
ago?"
She hesitatsd some moments. then put
third nf bar laff
hand. turning II so that the violet was
hidden and only plain gold band seemed
added TO her other rings.
"Efie are you going? Girls, your aunt
is going"
''Oh~ cried Carrie. you magnificent
auntie! You will throw all the girls into
the shade. What superb silk, and you
In full dress" she continued, with more
enthusiasm than grammatical precision.
Where dld you dig up that violet silk ?''
asked Mrs. Marshall. thought its
elories had departed years ago. Do you
remember the evening you wore it, when
papa gave kaie her first party?'
II remem ber," Efie SAID in low voice.
Inc evening was halt gone and Effie
had only seen at a distance the tall figure
aud handsome face of the hero of the even
Ing.
AS the brother of the popular Mrs. Mont.
gomery, as reruted millionaire, as one
who had been twelve years in China, Harold
Russell was forced to submit to being lion
lied
He was much altered, Effie thought.
\ ct, as the hours flew by, she caught her
self recognizing certain expressions of the
dark eyes, the mobile mouth, certain in
f1ectons OF the deep, manly voice, and
once her heart beat tumultnousiy as a
fam liar laugh rang out upon the air.
More than once sne had screened herself
from a tall figure approaching the place
u hAr md 2 Isa.,
violet silk had fitted into another room
just as Harold Russell thought he could
touch il.
There had been dancing. much flirting,
aud many games of whist, when small
patty Of music lovers collected round the
grand piano, begging Miss Selwyn TO sing.
just one song, Miss SelwyD," Mrs
Grant herself entreated. There are so
many anxious to hear you"
Very reluctantly the lady drew off her
white gloves and seated herself before the
pianO.
The group around her listened for the
usual brilliant prelude and an elaborate
and difficult ''shOw-Off" song. but after a
moment Of silpGce the little hands struck
two rich, full chords. A moment she
paused then 10 steady the trem bling heart:
then IN clear. sweet voice she sang the
opening verse of ''Auld Lang Syne."
The second verse was sung. when close
beside tile singer deep bass voice Joined
in the chorus.
Quick crimson flUshes passed over Effie's
cheeks, but she sang steadily, at eyerv
chorus the voice she knew SO well Joining
her own.
Nobody else noticed it. but with each
verse these voices, SO esiranged. grew
stronger, clearer, more jubilant, till with
the last one the spirit seized them all. and
a deafening chorus of the company closed
the song.
They drfted away, broke up into
couples and groups, while Harold Russell,
affecting to turn over some music, said in
low voice:
Can we, indeed, be as in auld lang syne.
Efis? Can You forgive me?
For answer she slowly turned the ring
upon her finger until he recognized the
device he had chosen for her twelve years
ago.
Mamma" May Marshall WHISPERED.
''do you see Aunt Efiie dancing with Mr.
Russell? | do not see one couple so hand
sume and distinguished-looki as they
are.'
a sudden memory flashed over Mrs.
Russell
The last time Efie wore that violet
slk," she thought, ''she danced with
Harold Russell, aud the next thing we
heard of him he was on his way to China.
remember now. Effie soon after began to
withdraw from society. wonder-'-Bos-
ton Globe