Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1896-02-26

roses were in her bosom and another
liz her hair.
Royal Langham appeared later in the
evening. Mrs. Alton observed the
flash in his dark eyes as they rested on
the flowers in Miss Darrin@ton's dress.
ON the plea Of letters to be written she
made her adieuX and left him alone
with Eleanor. But. if anything mo-
mentous took place between them.
nothing in Miss Darrington's amer
after his departure indicated il. and
Mrs. Alton did not venture 10 question
her. The next morning they left for
New York.
The marriage of Roy Iangham AMI
Miss Cecilia Dalton is to he II of the
fashionable events of the coming
month";
Miss Darlington dropped the paper.
SO he was going to be married: Well
why. what was the matter with her?
She felt faint and such a curious little
thrill had passed over her.
OF course she had known that he
would. lad she not told him that she
was sure that lie. as well as she. would
soon forget those ten weeks at South
shore? But he had vowcd-of course.
he had: all men do so. How long ago
was IT? Why. it was nearly three
years. How those last months in
Europe dragged. How good it had
seemed that morning To wake mp in
New York. But. what was the mat
ter with her? She felt SO languid: il
must be the effects of her voyage. Yet
she had felt so WI this morning. She
would go out for Il brisk walk. Yes.
that was what she needed. She wished
that the AltonS were not away. She
wondered if Clara knew this Cecilia
Dalton. As she put on her wrap she
wondered if she was beautiful. Who
was she? Her name was not familiar.
How dull it seemed. Was the weather
changing: As she walked along Flea
nor wondered where the glory of the
day had gone. The morning had seem
ed so bright.
a gentleman coming hastily around 4
corner brushed up against her. His
quickly spoken BEG pardon changed
into Il surprise. "Why-Eleanor..' She
looked up; it was her cousin. Jack
Alton.
Il thought you were in Washington"
she remarked. as she shook hands with
him.
I'VE got hack this morning. Business
was pressing. and they wired me. But
YOU do not look well. Too much
EurOpe:"
How is Clara"
"She is blooming: gone driving with
the Lanes. She was not expecting YOU
till next steamer. She will be delight
cd. Come to dinner with lis this even
ing: we will 20 To the opera. | must
rush newman waiting for me. We
shall expect YOU. mind
Eleanor walked on. How rude of
Jack 10 tell her that she was not look
Ing Well She must take Il long walk.
and get up a color for the evening. But
who was this Cecilia Dalton? Yet
what difference did it make: OF course.
he could marry whom he pleased. She
had said that she would get over that
folly of South Shore. OF course. she
was over it. But she was disappointed.
She had looked forward to meeting him
and being friends: that would have
been delightful. She did enjoy talking
To him. He was so cOmpanionablc-So
-so-but that. Of course. was all over.
now. How tired she was. Perhaps it
would be better to go home. She must
not he tired in the evening.
When she reached home, she looked
critically 1T her reflection in the mirror.
Yes. She did looked tagged out.
Wa this Cecilia Dalton young? she
wondered. But what did anything mat
ter: Life seemed so bare, And. throw
ing herself on the bed. she burst into
Il passion of tears. She wept first he
cause like Il flash it III To her why
life seemed suddenly SO bare. and then
she wept for rage that. after all. that
folly of South Shore was not crushed.
On the contrary, it was stronger than
ever.
At last she fell asleep. When she
awoke. ii was almost dark. She was
wretched. How could she endure it.
She must get away from herself, the
opera was he thing.
She rang for lights. and was soon en-
gagged in the preparation of an elabOr-
ate toilet. She would wear one of her
most beautiful gowns. Jack should
not again have Il nance To say that she
did not look well. And then. supposing
that Clara should suspect? Horror.
This last thought brought a spot of
colOr To either check. and Il feeling of
strength. She would look her best: her
parting glance into her mirror assured
her that she did.
Mrs. Atoms remarks on her appear
ance were satisfactory. Jack assured
her that she was stunning. ON their
way 10 the opera house Jack remarked:
Il see that Roy Langham's marriage
is announced for next month"
who is Miss DaltonI' inquired
Eleanor. carelessly.
"She is Il Philadelphia girl" returned
Mrs. Alton. "She is very young and cx-
trcmely pretty. | met her last winter"
Eleanor felt n Dang. "lounC and