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Show I LOVE'S IDEAL SHATTERED Young Qlil's Affection Vanishes Before Chance Revelation of His P Unwor'.h'ness . ol stood at the to:i of the broad stairway, looking down over the heads cl the dancers, until her eyes found him, ind then sparkled with pride ind toy. "Mj ideal!" she murmured. 'My ideal! ' Thb baud was playing the new waltz the lights were blazing throughout through-out the house, color and brightness were everywhere.and the heart of one woman was light with joy. In a little group in the corne- of the ball: oom stood a man. He i-as ta!1 and handsome. His features were serious se-rious and severe. The re-. of the little group laughed "nd jof.ed. He seemed cut off from tnem i) his deep absttaction, and the worn; n coming down- the stairs, with her cl jai: on her arm, saw him and felt happy, for she held in her consciousness the memory of hi caress and his words of tender love n few moments before. tiev father stood waiting to conduct con-duct ner to the carriage. The serious man fookekd in her direction, and smiled a rather calm goodby, which the jO" in her heart interpreted into meanl.ig more. All Light long she tossed in her bed. All nit.ht long she dwelt on the bliss of thooe moments in the conservatory, till the gray dawn lulled her to sleep, and she fell into a gentle slumber, softly whispering to her pillow, "My ideal ! ' It was "ladies' day" at the club, and the next day the woman dressed herself her-self with fastidious care, for she knew he wo.'ld see her. The halls and lunch-rooms were filled with guests, '.he heat was stifling, and she left her chaper.n and found herself wandering alone through a little narrow corridor. corri-dor. He was in her mind, and she wondered won-dered why she had not seen him yet. She paused before a door, which was open. A group of men were around a table, with a generous supply of bottles bot-tles an?I glasses decorating its surface. She listened spellbound. She heard the coarse jests that came from tho lips of the man she loved. She saw his stupor. She saw his bloodshot eyes and his neglected raiment. With her heart frozen almost stiff within her, s';e heard him joke about hia "love affairs." She hated the other men for laughing at them, and slowly walking back to join the crowd she murm'jred in bitterness. "My ideal! My ideal!' New Y'ork Press. . |