A Final Triumph; or, A Lady Bachelor — page 17: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

SHADOWS. | 15 was just a tinge of anxiety in her glance, but soon, and like aray of light breaking through a rifting cloud, the bright- ness returned. ‘I'he cause of the momentary clouding was explained in the reappearing smile. George Hdicott had entered the room. Shesaw him advance toward her. His absence, as intimated, accov: wd for the shadow, and his presence brought back the brightness and radiance; but the brightness only remained for a moment, and a deeper shadow fell over that fair face—a shadow that settled there. ‘* Miss Studevant, this is my friend, Laurence Adams. You will excuse me to-night; 1 do not feel well. With your permission, my friend will be your partner. ’’ Hloise inclined her head. She could not speak, but con- firmed her acquiescence by taking the offered arm of the gentleman who had been introduced, and who led her to their appointed position among the dancers in the german. George HEdicott left the parlor, went out upon the piazza, lighted a cigar, and for a moment glanced through the parlor window upon the gay throng, then a bitter smile clouded his face. He turned away, walked down among. the trees, and sat alone under the stars. Eloise maintained well her part in the social drama of the evening; she was polite, smiled when addressed by her courteous and handsome partner (her assigned partner) for the evening; but, alas! her politeness was formal, her smile forced; the ease, grace, and delightful cheeriness that usually distinguished her were not apparent; she was more mechanical than she had ever been before in all her life, yet she danced, and talked, and smiled as many a Gomichbooks Gom