Middletown transcript., 1903-09-12
IcoNT1NuEp FROM LAST WEEK.

The girl had grown sceptlcal
concerning Bertie's promises
but she had agreed to ask Mr.
Grey to advance the necessary
amount. She had sent away one
of her servants, reduced the
household expenses rs much as
possible, and hoped by the end
of the half year to repay the
money. She was earning a lit
tie; being a brilliant pianist, she
had, through the recommends
ton of her old master, obtained
many engagements to play at
concerts and private dances.
Now and again she met some old
acquaintance among the guests
of her employers. But she learn
ed to ignore the half-doubting
recognition which was bestowed
upon her, and to laugh at her.
self for feeling a little hurt and
annoyed when some girl with
whom she had been on intimate
terms passed her with cold sur
prised stare. She had dropped
out of their world altogether,
she told herself.
That evening she was engaged
to play at a Cinderella dance Civ
en- by Lady West, who had a
grand house in Kensington. She
looked very handsome and dis
tinguished in her black lace dress
with bunch of crimson and
white chrysanthemums in her
breast. She wore very few or
naments-jewelry for a girl in
her position was bad form, Hilda
thougbt-only a broad band of
gold round her right arm and
thin gold chain round her throat.
The Jewels which Paul had sent
to her were safely locked up in
her dressing case She had never
worn them, but she would not
insult him by sending them back,
and now and again she would
take them out and look at them
with regretful eyes. They will
be useful some day to send as a
wedding present to his wife,
she thought.
Paul had called twice to see
them in their London home, but
on each occasion Hilda had con-
trived to be absent; he had felt
hurt and angry at her persistent
avoidance of him and had ceased
visiting. But he still wrote oc-
casionally to Mrs. Sullivan, and
once a week hamper, contain
ing vegetables, fruit, and flowers
was sent from the Hall to Horn
sey. The chrysanthemums which
Hilda wore in her dress were
from the conservatory of her
old home. They made bright
spot of color against her sombre
dress, and Mrs. Sullivan gazed at
her admiringly.
You look very well tonight,
Hilda, she remarked. You have
more color than usual, and your
eyes are brighter. I wish you
were going to dance at the party,
instead Of
Piping to others! And Hilda
gave forced laugh as she took
up her fur cloak and drew the
hood carefully over her head and
fastened up the train of her dress.
My old gown is getting very
shabby, mother; wonder when
I shall be able to afford new
one? Goodbye! Don't worry
and think something dreadful has
happened to me if am late.
It was very frosty night, and
although the girls cloak was
warm and she wore fur-lined
gloves, she felt the cold keenly
during the long ride to Kensing-
ton. She was shown into a large
handsome apartment brilliantly
lighted with wax candles. Hilda
was glad to see that bright fire
was burning at the further end
of the room, for her fingers we're
almost numbed with cold, and
she drew off her gloves and held
her hands to the blaze.
The violinist who was to &C
company her entered shortly
afterwards. He was young Ital
ian, of good birth, handsome,
and accomplished, but very poor.
Hilda and he often played to-
gether, and she was occasionally
much amused at the airs he gave
himself and the supreme con-
tempt he entertained for his en-
ployers and their guests. He
greatly admired Miss Sullivan
and had often limited that he would |
like to make her mothers ac-
quaintance and be asked to the |
house; but Hilda had resolutely |
ignored his request.
Thou ct,o1 fo1L;n0 tooatbor bv