Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-12-06

HOOr IN the library on TO the ReTdnud, 10
gather some Marechal Mel roses and was
standing there in a pretty and graceful
attitude, with one arm raised ambitious
~ to reach a choice bud blooming far
above her head, and her left hand hold
ing up her apron which held as many
floral tributes as ever did st. Elizabeth s.
Hearing the sound of carriage wheels,
she turned her head to meet the look
of admiration that shone in Arthur's
dark eyes, for he thought he had never
seen so fair picture as this young girl
with her golden hair becomingly coiled
on her shapely head, in a simple frock
of white organdy with corn flowers scat
tered ever it as blue as her own eyes.
Arthur was received with all kindness
by Colonel and Mrs. Ludlow, while Flor
ence greeted him most graciously, with
her lovely features bather in calm seren-
ity and her dark eyes cleaning softly
from beneath their dark lashes. She
was goWned in a creamy null, held in at
the waist with cream colored ribbons,
ard her only ornament was a cluster of
Duglas roses, fastened in her belt. He
could not help ncticirg how beautiful
she was as her white hand touched his,
and her lips pressed to his in cousinly
kiss. thrill ran through her veins
arousing world of passionate ecstacy.
AT supper Leonie met Arthur Florence
Introducing her as Miss Carroll, my ia
theirs ward" which she acknowledged
with slight inclination of her head,
while pink tinge crept into her cheeks
on seeing the Marechal Mel bud pined
on the lapel of his coat, which he
touched In recognition of the compliment
she had paid him. Fer Leonie-notwith-
standing Florence had told her of Ar
thurs expected return and painting him
as heartless flirt, telling her that one
of his great passions was to willfully
win the love of those whom fate threw
in his way only to reject 1t after with a.
hooking laugh-had gone unobserVed to
the room prepared for him and arranged
some of the roses she was gathering
when he drove up, in an old Dresden
china vase, and placed them on the
dresser where he would see them when
he went to dress for supper. During the
supper hour he tried to draw her out
but she answered him in monosyllables
Florence was at her best. She eXerted
herself to entertain, seeing Arthur's eyes
continually resting on Leonie's fair face
she felt that her efforts were in vain
and a jealous pang shot through her
heart. Looking UP Leonfe saw the an
CRY CLEAN in her eyes. which did not es-
cape Arthur. Rising from the table
Florence led the way to the parlor an
old-fashioned room, beautifully furnish
ed in oak, with marble nantes, low
couches and settles upholstered in bro
eade We're comfortably arranged. Old
family portraits hung on the walls,
among the bTic-a-brac many choice
specimens were to be found relics of
foreign travel. Rich draperiss hung
across the windows and two delicately
shaped lamps threw a soft light over ALL
Florence did her best to entertain Ar
thur. She discussed with him the latest
n5Vel, and the topics of the day. Open
ing the piano she played and sang to
him, having full, rich voice that had
been highly cultivated. He thanked and
complimented her on her superb voice.
but her brightest sallies brought no ami
m a n IN ic fan a Pal
evident to her that his thoughts were
not of her. Going to a table, they stood
side by side examining an album of for
eign sketches, opening a photograph al
bum Arthur came across a picture of
Leonie, her girlish loneliness showing
to perfection under the photographers
lens. Florence saw the look of admira-
ton that came into his eyes, and it
thrilled her heart with jealousy. She bit
her lips with mortlfica ton and chagrin
when he accepted with a sense OF relief
Col. Ludlow's invitation to come out on
the veranda and take a smoke"
Florence went to her room with a dull,
heaVy throbbing at her heart, and an in
tangible something quivering through
her very soul. and threw herself into a
cnalr. Her red lips were closely pressed
together, and her dark brows were con-
tracted with deep and serious thought
The room in which she sat was thorough
~ characteristic of it's mistress with its
nigh ceiling and polished floor strown
with oriental rugs. An oaken bedstead
of the four poster kind, adorned with
sixteenth century German carvings,
stood in one corner of the room. Rose
colored silken curtains Topped back with
rose-colored ribbons, hung from the test
er. Cushions in abundance were flung
here and there On the wall hung a
piece of tapestry representing the story
of Esther. 1t was faded by age, which
had come from a historical collection in
France, gift to her grandfather, who
was at one time minister to that cour-
try. She had passed her twenty fifth
year, but not without love; but few wo-
men ever do. Arthur was her third cous.
in, but he had seen very little of her, Che
having been educated abroad), until her
debut at eighteen at the seasons OPEN
ing ball; on which occasion she was
gowned in a shmmering robe or hello
trope satin, clouded over with a delicatae
frost-like misty yelling of snowy lace,
magnificent diamonds cleaned on her
neck and arms and in the meshes OF her
midnight hair.
The delicate hues and fresh pure
brightness of her costume like the lilac
tints and fieecy cloud shadows of an eve
ming sky maryelously became her proud
dark beauty. 1t was with Arthur she
had led the grand march. 1t was her
first ball-there is no other like 1t. There
in the well-filled ball room through the
flower laden branches of exotics and the
perfumed air. amid the CLEAN and glow,
the flash and glitter with the sweet
measured music throbbing in unison with
every pulse of gladness in ones being,
her heart awoke to it's first great pas
sion. With his arms around her, guiding
her through the intricacies of the may
waltz, looking into her face he caught
the glow in her eyes. Taking her arm
in his they promenaded through the cor
ridors, he whispering tender nothings in
her ears which lifted her into the sew
enth heaven Of delight. 1t stirred the
depths of her soul, and there went out to
him all the ardent warmth of a womans
first love. For seven long years she had
nursed it through agony and humilla-
ton into ambition, into a mad desire.
Florence sat there for sometime ap-
parently lost in thought. Rising from
her chair she undressed for the night
and going to her dresser she surveyed
herself in the mirror. With her hair
uncoiled and a robe of white delicately
ornamented with tucks and laces, cling
ing to her lissome form and over the rich
swell of her bosom that rose and fell in
violent agitation. she looked like
tragedy queen.
1ox, eb1