Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 March 1885 — Charmed Into It. [ARTICLE]

Charmed Into It.

The drawing-room door, like every other door in Hazlewood House, did its duty without noise. There are some people’s doors which always scrape and bang, just as there are tome people’s shoes which always creak. The Talberts’ shoes never creaked. The Talberts’ doors never uttered a sound. So Frank stood on the thick soft carpet and looked at Miss Clauson, who had no idea that her solitary exile was ended. She was seated on the music bench. Her hands were on the keys of the piano, but making no music. She was gazing with grave eyes far, far away—looking right through the center of the satinwood Sheraton cabinet which, full of choice porcelain, stood against the opposite wall. Her thoughts, sad or sweet, were in dreamland. And Mr. Carruthers stood watching her. He knew he was doing wrong—knew he ought to make her aware of his presence—but the picture "was to him so divinely beautiful that he could not help himself. The girl was perfectly dressed; if fault could be found with her attire it was that it was a trifle too old for her age. Her arms and neck gleamed wnite and fair from the black satiii of the dress, which fitted as a dress can only fit a form like hers. The rich brown hair was cunningly and becomingly coiled, and without jewel or e-\ en flower to detract from its own native glory. No wonder that Carruthers was content to watch her in admiring silence! And as he watched he saw, or fancied he saw, tears rising to those gray eyes. This was more than human nature could bear. Mr. Carruthers to this day assures himself that he entered that‘ drawingroom with no intention of pre ipitating matters. We may believe him, because, as it was probable that in a few minutes nine respectable middle-aged gentlemen would troop in, the occasion was not a propitious one. So it is clear that he acted on the impulse of the moment He never knew how he dared to do it, but before she looked round he was at her sidej his arm was around her—a music bench oilers dangerous facilities, it had no back—and he was telling her with passionate eloquence that he loved her—he loved her. —Hugh. Conway. Six millions of dollars’ worth of silver is used in this country every year for manufacturing and decorative purposes.