Demoine courier., 1854-09-21

1Eh IL, 1904. as7sa
the cloud of d,sappointn .ent which set
Ned there. gratiied her more than all
Lawton's high flown compliments; but
the silence into which he sank oppressed
her and made il almos, impossible for
her TO respond becomingly to Lawion's
graceful nOshings," or .ake her part in
the general conversation
Thus matters stood during the stay Of
the guests. Law,on all d. votion, ard
Lester silent and sad, ye, lacking the
resolution 10 leave Gertrude's delightful
presence.
II was with difficulty she could, even
in his presence, smother tho expression
OF that disgust for Law,on which was
daily growing stronger. She gave him
no encouragement, but was unwilling 10
.epel him by showing the coldness she
felt a. she still cherished q hope of re.
venge for his ~unprincipled conduc, To-
wards her. A to him, although he en-
deavofed to give his acquaintance with
her the o confidential appearance and
edec,ually kept a, a distance all other
aspirsnts. he cautiously refrained, as yet,
from any expression of his own sen,i.
ments. and she was thus obliged 10 en-.
drre his most irksome attention as bes,
she might
When winter approached. Gertrude
returned with her cousins to the city, re.
newing the pleasant associations OF the
previous season, but Lawton's disagreed.
BILE society. Their engagement was uni.
versalIy discussed aud believed by everr
a but cousin John;' even Lester could
not doubt il. Too poor 10 WOO the hum.
bic maiden. AMI too proud to sue for the
aeiress, he had remained within the cir.
Gle Of her attractions until now !, would
be torture to stand quietly by and see
her become another's; the contemplation
was toe painful for him. and he de,ermin.
ed 10 leave the place until he had learned
submission to his destiny.
CHAPTER Nv.
Mrs. Hamilt0n's cards we're Out for
another Reunion, and, after assisting her
in her arrangements. Gertrude
threw herself into the same chair which
concealed her on the night that had re.
vealed Lswton's true character. She
was weary and sad; ~.cousin John" in.
formed her Of Gerald's early departure
for the North. and il had strangely de-.
pressed her spirits. Why his move.
ments should thus interest her could not
longer remain hidden from herself. and
she sat there musing on her hard fate
until tears chased each other down her
pale cheek. and though young. beautiful
and rich. she believed herself the most
miserable being on earth. While she
was thus employed. increasing her own
unhsPpiness, the door opened, aud the
subject of her thoughts entered. Hastily
brushing away her tears, and blushine az
though the Of her emotion were
known, she endeavored TO STAN ruer an
excuse Tor her confusion. -
pardon my in,rusion.'' said the U
man, his rich voice mellowed by a shads
OF sadness. IL have called TO bid all my
adieu, and your cousin told me /
should find you here"
''Shall We not see you. thea, to-niph,,'
asked Gertrude, ~endesoring to hide her
under the commonpIaces of
II fear not. as | leave 10 morrow"
$50 soon!"
Her voice certainly did iremble, o, he
it at least. there was something
IN ito o that unlocked his heart.
YES. 10 morrow" replied he, sand |
did think my secret would 20 with me,
but 1t will be some comfort TO have yoar
sympathy. for ] know your hear, is too
noble and generous to do .ugh. but sym.
pa.hize with the unhaPpiusss of ano,h-
err"
Gertrude, with an effort, suppressed
her agitation, and Gerald continued:
"Miss Denton, | love passionaielv,
but without hope. When l believed her
the heiress in humbia circumstances, I
was too poor. and when l discovered her
to be wealthy, | was TOO proud to WOO
her, but rashly remained. NEAR her until
my happiness 10 irrevocably involved;
and h"'itis too late to nope, l canno. with
calmness soc her bsstow her hand upon
another, and. in leaving her presence,
perhaps for ever. ! can only say. God
grant that he may cherish her a. | would
have done.
The young mans distress touched
Gertrude. but there was q sweet feeling
Of relief which touched her heart, "a
with . powerful effort, commanding her
voice she asked-
.May l know The name of ono who
could knowingly overlook such love az
yours!"
"She never knew il. until no,o," an.
swered Gerald. anxiously, fixing his eve
on the half avertsd face Of the maiden.
The crimson flush that dyed her cheek
would tain have hidden from those
searching eyes that chs could 10 plainly
feel were 6xed upon her. Raising hers
and ~endssvoring TO speak calmly, che
commenced