The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-10-25
THERE WERE TEARS.


barely distIngulshable from the equally
glIstening snowHakes which were par
TALLY covering II.
Stanley White picked It up, and con-
trolling the impulse TO look at Il, Sid II
instantly into his pocket, Evidently 1t
had been dropped by one Of his fellow
guests who had preceded him up tha
crimson cnrpetng OF the doorsteps,
which was the outward and visible sign
OF Lady Southgate's at homei and the
fact that II had either fallen or been
swept by passing skirts some few feet
from the entrance having accounted for
il having lain unnotlced by the customs
airy little knot Of spectators who were
lettering by tho awning.
what can II be worth?" he won-
dered II daren't look until I'm out OF
this, but unless It Is rubbish II ought TO
tide me on for bit until the luck
changes"
The next moment he was shaking
hands and being assured by his hostess
OF the pleasure II gave her TO welcome
him. a tinge of mockery crept into
Whltesvoice as he answered her. Prob
ably he knew quite well as did she that
she had at first refused point blank to
include him among her guests, and had
only yielded at the urgent representa-
lions OF her young son. who, put II on
what grounds he might, obviously dared
not run the risk OF offending him.
Whether he knew or not, at all events
his equanlmity remained unrutiled, as
exchanging greetings with those he rec
ognlzed he gradually edged his way
round the room to the balconies at the
farther end. AT that colgn of vantage he
proceeded to intrench himself behind an
eyegIass and surveyed the dancers,
wondering between whom he should d.
vide the short time he intended to stay,
His choice was strictly limited, and he
knew II, since even in these tolerant
days one cannot go down hill more or
less rapidly without finding It necessary
10 part from those who prefer less du-
blous ground. White knew perfectly
well that nowadays he could never hope
for q Yalse from girl whose chaperon
was worthy OF the name, so 1t struck
him as quite an unusual piece OF luch
when he saw Mrs. Maynard coming up
TO speak TO him. She was good
hearted, lively, little widow, and one OF
his firmest friends. Furthermore, she
was not too particular
81 have four girls with me" she began
at once isn't II simply too awful? But
the men fell through somehow or other,
Come and be introduced. do not mind
so much about the elder ones, but 1t is
little Hesse Vanburgh's first big dance,
and should never forgive myself II she
did not have a good time. There she
Is, tucked away in that corner scat.
Isn't she pretty? Too young for you?
oh, nonsense! Mr.. Stanley White
Miss Vanburgh,"
She certainly was pretty; OF that
there could be no question. it is to be
feared that had she not been White
would have left her card severely alone,
but as 1t was he claimed no fewer than
three waltzes and took her into supper
as well.
She was only child fresh from the
school-room and avowedly in great
state OF contentment with the world In
general and herself in her first ball
gown in particular. She told him all
about her home life and how It was
mamma had been prevented from conf
ing with her tonight, and all she was
expecting from this wonderful un-
known vista of delight which was open
ing before her and which people called
"the season."
at Is such lovely thing to be alivei
Isn't it?" she demanded, with one of
her gay infectious little laughs. do
you know almost envy you for know
ing how beautiful thing It is to be
quite grown up, while am only begin
ming to guess"
White listened to her and marveled
why he wasn't bored. Her Intense vi
tally and her prettiness went far no
doubt,to rob ot Its inslpldity this bread
nnd-butter style of conversation, but
there was also an odd fascination about
her which he strove in vain to define
Was It in her laugh, which sounded IA
millar TO him, though he knew he had
never met the Girl before? or in her
confidlng little way of assuming he
cared for what interested her?
~ wish there were any chance of
meeting you again, but I am going
abroad almost directly" he told her,
and though he Knocked at himself for a
fool to admit II, he was pleased to have
the blue eyes look straight into his and
TO hear the fresh young voice confess to
being very sorry. too"
Later in the evening she went up TO
him In great state Of distress.
''oh! can you help me? Whatever
shall I do? have lost little dla-
mond brooch. and II is mammals. She
only lent It to me for tonight. It Is
shaped like heart. and she values 1t
so very much"
White was ali sympathy and kind.
ness. He tried to console her by as
surances that the brooch was sure to
turn up" and went with her to speak
first to the hostess and then to the hall
footman and the cloak room maids.
You're very good, indeed" said the
girl, brokenly. Her blue eyes were wet
as she raised them TO his mo one else
seems to care at ail and they look as
II they thought It bad manners to
make such fuss. Good night again.
Good night and thank you"
Arrived at the one back bedroom,
which now served him for home, ha
took out the little brooch and examined
It attentlvely. He had never yet been
thief. and he did not relish his pres
ent position; but then he had never
yet been in such dire straits. He had
picked It up on n sudden impulse and
had held his tongue about II when he
had almost Immediately recognized that
It meant another chance, since with
the proceeds he could PAY his way tc
Monte Carlo. And once there It would