, 1863-09-12


sacredly did | guard il. It grew TO be a
very plain truth before the summer was
gone. AS time wore away, and saw plain
into the depths Of my heart, | knew that
for childish, grlish whim, had put the
happiness of a lifetime away from me. But
l could only wear brave face, and keep
my secret away from the prying, curious
gaze OF those who were searching for it.
| did not often meet john, and but twice
during that summer were we thrown into
each others company for sufficient length
of time to exchange dozen words. Once
we met at picnic. From the moment that
stepped upon the ground knew that he
was intending to spess.5 pe. Perhaps !
felt it by the way he watched me as | went
from place to place. When he came to my
side, it seemed that the whole party hushed
voice, heart and soul 10 listen to US. He
smiled at this and commenced talking in a
pleasant, gosSipy way about the weather,
appearing to notice my flushed face and
slightly disturbed manner
''Are you enjoying the best of health,
this summer ~ he asked, at length, with l
thought, faint touch of mischief in his
face.
"The very best of health, Mr. Blaiklie," :"
answered, curling my lip Perhaps you
have been informed to the contrary, how
ever" | continued, more in answer to his
smile than aught else. "Cranston gossips,
have, l believe, given me the credit of bear
ing up under settled heart disease"
"They are inferior Judges. Bessie. Do
not class me among them"
81 never have" l answered, dryly.
"No, l suppose not" he said, smiling
again. This is beautiful grove |"
"Veryp' answered, feeling that it was
my turn to smile now.
"Haye you noticed the arrangement
made for dancers ?"
shook my head.
"Come this way then, if you please"
He offered me his arm which l took
without thinking to thank him. For lit
tie momen; forgot the right of claiming
his attention was not mine. 1t seemed so
like old times to be walking by his side
watching his face and listening to the tones
of his voice Before l could help it,
found myself signing long and deeply If
John noticed it, he was very forbearing,
for by lcok or word he did not reply to it ;
but thought the silence was little too
long for an or iinary one, and 50 | made a
bold push to break it. Again l forgot my
self.
"What nice place this is p 1 said
"Do you remember, John, how crazy used
to be about daucing7 My father used to
say if my heart would always keep as
light as my feet, life would go easily with
me-"
"Yes, yes, remember" he replied,
thought little sadly. "Will you dance
with me to-day"
30, yes, certainly?"
was glad to have him ask me that. OF
all persons in the world | best loved to
dance with him. l had told him so hun
dreds of times, too, so that he knew we'll
enough what my smile meant. We danced
together So many times that day that the
Cranston people-or at least all of them
that attended the picnic-grew big-eyed
with wonder Noticing how close they
watched US, John said, as he led me to my
seat for the last time
"We are saving our good towns-folk
from great deal of sin, Bessie; because
while they are speculating about such in
nocent sort of people as you and 1, they
cannot be talking about worse ones. We
are getting famous y
was happier that night, after I returned
home, than | had been for weeks before
But my happiness was of short duration,
for after supper was cleared away, and
while sat by an open window recalling
the events of the day, my mother said to
me-
''Your Aunt Hastings was here to-day,
and she said that John Blaiklie was finish
ing his house on the hill. Did you hear
anything about it at the picnic?"
"No,' | said, scarcely above a whisper.
Sand she said if Fanny was going to
marry John, she kept it dreadful sly; for
besides picking up few squares of patch
work she had not made the first step to-
wards getting ready. What do you think
about it :"
81 think she will be ready as soon as the
house is, l answered, turning my face to-
wards the window, that she might not no
tce the expression of my features.
swell, take it altogether, Bessie, it's a
queer piece Of business. "
did not answer, only let my forehead
dreop low upon the window seat. Seeing
this, mother came up to me, and rested her
hand on my head and said:
"Poor child %
How from my heart l blessed her quiet
sympathy The next two weeks that fol-
lowed, were sad and tedious ones to me.
Every way that turned, news of John
Blaiklies approaching marriage with cous-
in Fannie was poured into my ears and
even Fannie herself, who had always been
very prudent about it, seemed pleased in
telling me of the arrangements that were
going on up at Johns new house-of this
piece of furniture he had selected, of the
carpets " hich had been left to her judg-
ment exclusively, and of the beautiful
toned seraphine that Johns uncle had pre-
sented him for the parlor.
''Yon will be very happy" 1 said one
day, in answer to all this.
Fannie looked up suddenly into my
face l thought a quizzical expression
drifted across her features.
Chow pale you look, Bessie" she said
"Whst is the matter with you?"
Nothing" / answered, with some little
show of spirit.
81 am glad of it; but, indeed you do
look downright ill. Won't you go up to
the new house with me tonight, perhaps
that will make you feel better. believe
you keep toe closely in the house. But
you need not shake your head; you will