The age-herald., 1900-01-15

tho old circle will brighten your spirits wonderfully. l said much 10 Mrs. Mor- daupt"
 "Ihdeedi and advised her to notice me. mean include me in her invitations?" re- torted Mary
 Well I can't say but do take a little of the credit myself,p said the wicked wo- man 'I really cannot bear to See my friends slighted' and soon afterwards she took her leave.
 l.. "ExaspeTating muttered the widow, her bright eyes literally showering fire as she l turned her back upon the g.rl she had come to patronize with kindness that was dead ly in action and intent.
 As for Mary she sought the sitting room, l pale breathless and angry.
 q have sent number one about her busi- 1 ness, nother!' she exclaimed, with a gasp that sounded like sob; now let number 1 two come.'
 A few minutes later the little maid of all work announced Mrs. Mordaunt.
 My dear Mary" cried that good woman. cordially her face radiant despite its dash l of sympathy. q hope you are quite we'll!
 Mary laughed and kissed her friend.
 'Ahl sunshine and flowers. I knew you'd have them if you could get them" cried ] Mrs. Mordaunt. "Mr Henry says-but on | second thought, s'hant tell you"
 Mary's face grew shadpwed; the cold re- serve came back in spite of herself. It could net rest there long,, however, the sweet, genial nature of her visitor forbade I it.
 i've so much news to tell you. In the first place, I've adopted a poet Whom do you think? Mr Henry, of course. He has cgI-te blanche to call me mother, to come to the house when 1t suits him; in fact, to make f1is home tlere, if he will! In tho next place. that poor little graceless widow. Mrs. Redmond, has fallen madly in love with him. and
 "She was here this morning." said Mary, quietly.
 "Sher Mrs. Mordaunt lifted both hands, "T'hat creaturei My dear, hopei2but no; I'll not counsel rudeness. Well, l am as- tonished."
 "Ive made her my mortal enemy I ex- pect,'' continued Mary. laughing at her friends look of comic astonshment.
 ''I was just going to add that she is ter- r.bly jealous of me, old and s widow though I am-quite old enough tc be Henrys mother. But to my purpose. I am going to give a dance. Will you come?"
 ''No, indeed. dear Mrs. Mordaunt how can you ask me?''
 Because I want you; and, further. wish to see you independent of the worlds opin- ion"
 But have no desre-tt would be torture to memo I must not don't urge me. If you wished for aid, help in any way, I might, perhaps; but not to go as though it were just the same that is impossible, you know"
 "Why impossible. except that you wdll 1t so? I confess I have reason that will not allow me to let you off lightly
 As Mrs Mordaunt was thus pleading, Mrs Stanmore entered, and, finding how matters stood, joined her entreatieS to those of their friend. ,
 CT wish she would go," sine said, with A lcok of anxiety, ''I think 1t would do her good. I really do not see any occasion TOT you to exclude yourself entirely rom so- ciety. so 1 insist that you go, my dear. | And I will send my own carriage for you" said Mrs Mordaunt.' Thus pressed | Mary at last reluctantly consented
 But she regretted it up to the very hour of her departure.
 l "Did you ever see such assurance my | dear?s murmured widow Blanche Rel mend as she glided to friend, radiant in lace and diamonds. To do fine woman jus tice, she was really beautiful to those Who | had not fathomed the shallow depths or her | character. but, to the pure and right l r,irded, a subtle instinct made ner repul- sive
 Never, never in my life,' was the low | reply And Mrs. Mordaupt Is simply ri- diculous. She need not try to force herself 1 upon our notice. l disliked her in her best | days.
 This of Mary Stammore, who abated not an inch of her old regality as she gauged the measure of every apparently sincere | friend, and favored them either with smiles or sincere indifference. She was plainly not | in tner element tonight. lit had never ioeen l her desire to shine. She knew the true value of the world and its ambitions How | much less now did she love that society whose hollowness was made so apparent to her, whose lie shone its bald brow in | every forced smile, and in whose artificial light the rest of her lowly home, with all its petty belongings, seemed like heaven. | Miss Stanmore,' said a low voice that thrilled her, though she repressed the ner- vous start that had nearly Betrayed her She looked up first catching the white | gleam of the widow Redmonds spiteful | eyes. Mir. Henry stood beside her, and | there was no mistaking the import of his | glance
 T. was whispered here and there that the | young author was exceedingly attentive to Miss Stanmore. but nobody dreamed of what was going on in one dim corner of the | conservatory. Mary Stanmore stood there, with proud eyes glistening through tears, | but still she shook her head with decisive | motion.
 "What more can say to you?' pleaded | the young man. "You are convinced of my | sincerity-I have proved I am rich enough for both-I. have your fathers consent. | What more can say?" l She was silent. At her feet the brilliant | petals of a summer rose laid burning and | dying victims of her irresolution. Did she love this man? With the whole 1 of her loving heart, God knew, and yet that | pride, that fear, born of treachery and neg feet, of which she had experienced so much since the misfortune that had fallen upon | her father, made her willful even against | her better judgment
 My stay in this country with my wid- | owed sister depends upon your answer" at | length he said, slowly "I am willing to | Side my time; only give me hope. Upon what contingency does my fate depend? | Confide in me- If it is only false pride, you sacrifice two hearts and place an ocean l between us."
 An answer that he little expected came now, low and clear
 'tMr Henry, 1 was only speechless be- cause I could not find words that would | express the gratitude l."
 Not that--do not say gratitude,' he 1 cried, bending over her, his face glorious with the light of happiness. 1 "Well, then-love; I-'
 That Is all I want" he cried, lifting her hand to her lips, then drawing it under his i arm, they sauntered down the conserva-