Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-12-07
CHAPTER NNXV.

CllAI l. NzAAAN.
BEFORE THE RECEPTION.
It was 2 o'clock and time for Miss
Rogers to dress for Miss Aspinwall's
reception. She was in her room alone,
and before her lay spread upon a couch
two dresses, one Of plain brown cloth
which we well know, and the other of
richest velvet that had been hurriedly
made during the past week. She is
gazing at these dresses and deciding
the most mOmentous question of her
life. That it is momentous you can
discern from the absorbed expression
of her face, and that she hestates is
equally evident from the anxiety with
which her eye passes from cloth to
velvet and from velvet to cloth. as she
listens alternately to the suggestions of
her heart and the promptings of her
ambition.
And not her eyes alone but her hands
betray the conflict that is going on
within her. For they rest by inStants
with loving touch on the humble
material, only to fly again to the rich
er. Where will they finally rest? The
question Is between love and wealth.
Which will she choose, which, which?
She must soon determine; the clock
tells Of the passage Of time. Not much
longer can she stand thus, weighing at
her ease these two heavy alternatives.
Fear, fascination, awe, tenderness, all
expressions and all emotions show
themselves in turn upon her face.
That she loves him she knows; that
tatic throb for any other man is equally
certain. but shall she sacrifice every
thing for him? Is it right to do so?
Is it wise to do so? Is it safe to do so?
She grasps the velvet and holds it up
against her throat. How warm it
feels, how natural and how suitable to
her face, her style and her ambition.
But the plain cloth wooes her glances
aside, and before she knows 1t the vel
vet has dropped in a heap on the floor
and she has the cloth dress strained to
her heart and her decision is made.
But just at this moment knock IS
heard at the door and she filings the
dress on the bed and stands palpitating
like one caught in a guilty act. 1t IS
only the hairdresser who comes every
day, but her presence is an Interrupt
ton, and the young heiress shows it by
the loss of hor beautiful color which
had but moment before tinted her
check with roses. Turning her back
upon both dresses she bids the intruder
come in, and tries to hide her agitation
by bending over her dressing table and
unloosening the locks of her long hair.
But the next moment she looks uh
in surprise and drops the curling
tresses from her hand. The woman
she sees advancing toward her is q
stranger, n pleasant faced French look.
ing girl, who, upon meeting Miss Ros
ers' eye drops courtesy and says:
II hope mademoisele will pardon me-
but my employer is not well to-day
and begged that would do the hair of
mademoiselle. Ia it for reception OF
dinner? And does mademoiselle like
it high or low"
Miss Rogers drew long breath and
sat down with smile. The fresh
voice and lively manner We're wei
come; they chimed in so with her
thoughts.
"Dress it low" said she. 81 an
going to reception, and I wish to be.
dressed simply, but becOmingly.'
She flushed so brightly, looked SO
lovely. that the young hairdresser
could not restrain her admiration.
"Ah! what beautiful hair! so black,
so wavy, so long. I shall take delight
in making mademoiselle look like an
angel" And her deft fingers passed
carcssingly among the great curl:
flowing over her hands and wrists.
Miss Rogers continued to smile
Suddenly she asked:
"Is your employer, rs you call her,
very sick? What is the matter with
her."
II cannot tell mademoiselle. But
she is bad, very bad. Something sud
den; there We're doctors with her last
night!'
"And she sent Won here to-dny?"
Yes, mademoiselle. She did not for.
get that YOU would expect her. She
has much thought, has madame"
"And so ill.,"
"Ah, oui; she may not live till night.
feel very bad for madame"
The young lady made a sudden move.
at is distressing said she. but her
bright eyes lost none of their brilliance.
Indeed, they seemed to scintillate
afrcsh? Had she her secret doubts Of
this same hairdresse., and could she
in any way have shared the fears of
Degraw?
When her hair was dressed she dis
missed the girl and prepared to com
plete the rest of her toilet alone. The
velvet dress was before her on the bed
but she passed it by without glance
and took up the plain brown cloth.
81 will be the artists BRIDE" said she.
and rapidly, joyously, donned the gar.
ment which conveyed this decision
murmuring as she did so: His delight
will compensate me for all. could
not meet his look Of disappointment.
| could not for all the wealth in the
universe, see scorn take the place of
the loving trust that has always
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