Stella Rosevelt — page 157: what you’re looking at

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

A FATAL MISTAKE. ~~ ~ 151 commonplace realities as bread and butter, or even for anything so tempting as peaches and cream. When Mr. Rosevelt’s hunger was appeased, he asked Star to play something before they left. There was a piano in the room, and he was extremely fond of music. ‘‘T want our friend here to know what a talented little musi- cian we have,” he said, with a fond glance at his favorite. Star was only too willing to comply with his request, glad of anything to relieve the awkward consciousness which had per- vaded. her all through tea, and sitting down to the instrument, “she played several pieces. Archibald Sherbrooke was astonished at the proficiency which she displayed, and the appreciative silence which prevailed upon the veranda outside the open windows, told that her power had swayed a larger audience than she had thought of having. ‘«She is mine; I have won her, this talented, beautiful, pure- hearted girl,” Archibald Sherbrooke said, exultantly, to himself, as he closed the piano for her, and pressed the hand that hung invitingly near him. They repaired to the boat-landing soon after, for it was nearly time for their departure. When the steamer arrived, Archibald found a sheltered seat for Mr. Rosevelt, and then drawing Star a little apart, wrapped her shawl carefully about her and sat down beside her, her hand clasped in his under cover of its soft folds. ‘‘He will not mind, and I want you to myself,” he whis- pered. ‘‘I cannot see you to-morrow, love, for it will be Sunday, but peoncay or Tuesday | shall « come to you, I can- not wait longer.” | Star glanced at him somewhat anxiously. She knew what that coming would entail upon. hat coenaied Gomilchooksiue