The mountain Democrat., 1863-10-24
,oughed the earl. 4 hope you have not

tOIu tue uOCtoI1 not you. 1ue report
must be put stop to, Percival, for Lady
Maude's sake
Marry Lady Maude 7 cried he, with a
show Of indignation. The best TEaY 20
stop the report is to give me Anne. Why
should we wait, Mrs. Ashton p
4 should like to see her yours before
before Percival, does it strike you that
| am looking ill?'
Far worse than he had ever seen her !;
but he did not say so.
4 do not believe | shall ever be better.
I grow weaker day by day. am begin
ing to think, Percival, that few months
will end it,
4 hope not he said, with feeling. 4
hope you are mistaken
She shook her head. 'Anne has no
idea of this, or the doctor either; every
day they are talking of my recovery.
shall try and lead them to it by degrees,
as it has come to me. But should like
to see Anne your wife before the end
comes
And so you shall, long before that,
trust, eagerly said the earl. i thank you
for saying this: you know how long and
patiently we were waiting for each other,
when was poor man.
And the doctor wished to break off the
engagement, smiled Mrs. Ashton.
'Percival. how long are the KITTENS 60
ing to remain at IIartledon ?
4 wish they'd 60 tomorrow = he heart
lily answered, and with sincerity.
But cannot turn them away; they are
my relations
The earl said farewell to Mrs. Ashton,
and went in search Of Anne He knew
the wavs Of the house well, and crossed
the hall to Mrs. Ashton's morning room.
There sat Anne.
What a conference you and mamma
have had,' she said smiling. L hope it
has been satisfactory
Partly yes, partly no. replied the earl,
but we wound it up all right. Shall
tell you the decision ?
III you may she unsuspiciously said.
That certain young lady of our ac-
quaintance is sooh to be converted into
the Countess OF Hartledon.'
OF course the words and his looks, bent
half Saucily, half lovingly upon her, put
her to the blush. She dropped over her
work, and was rosy to her fingers ends.
Can you guess her name, Anne?'
Yes she replied, in little spirit of
mischief, Lady Maude Kirton.'
The carl WINGED, drew away and looked
almost savage. Anne was instantly an
cry with herself
Dear Pcrcival, you know only spoke
in ajoke, she pleaded.
4 do not like such jokes; they are not
agreeable chafed he, for the words had
struck lone. You have been told some
ofiicious nonsense about Maude.'
Indeed have not; have not heard her
name mentioned since returned, except
ing that they were still at Hartledon. and
wonder very much. To have remained
at all alter your brothers death, it could
not have been pleasant to Lady Maude.
Why SO, Anne =
From her having been engaged to
him =
'Maude was not engaged to him.
Indeed she was. The dowager told me
so the very day Lord Hartledon lost his
life, not two hours before the accident
happened
The earl scarcely understood. 'Maude
told you so!' -
Not Maude; ncr mother. You appear
incredulous, Percival, but there was moth
ing surprising IN its being SO. You know
how deeply she was supposed to love
him.
1T is my opinion that girls love on and
of, Just as the whim takes them, and
there's no such thing as true love at all,
cried his lordShip, speaking in most an
cry tone, he could hardly tell why.
What have done to your asked Anne
in Sttlcd voice.
My darling. you have done nothing
he said, full of repentance, as he sat dowl:
by her siGe. 4 am annoyed TO day, and
am venting my temper on every body
You must let me seal my pardon.
She only sighed an answer.
And | cannot step now, for you to talk
ME into peace. l must 60 home to keep
an engagement. Oh, Anne, | wish you
We're my wife,
'The time will come, she whispered.
Carr, it's all up cried the earl. seizing
hold OF that gentleman by the shoulders,
upon meeting him. as he was walking
home from the rectory. Mrs. Ashton
had heard something about Maude, and
spoke to me. could only deny it, and,
and-in short, I cannot long put off my
marriage with Anne. What am to do!'
4 told you once; | can only say the
same again. Tell Lady Maude the candid
truth, and take shame and blame to your
self as you deserve. You can marry nei-
ther Of them in strict honor, but it will be
less dishonorable to break with Lady
Maude than with Miss Ashton
There was no help for it, and the earl
strove to screw up his courage. Heknew
the countess took nap after dinner. and
he thought he might get Maude by her.
self; SO he left Mr.. Carr alone in the
He went up stairs, feeling desperate
man. To those of the earl's constitution
and temperament, he having to make that
or any other diSasreeable communication,
is almost as cruel as the parting with life.
His very lips were white when he reached
the drawing room.
The dowager was comfortably stretched
upon the sofa, feet up: Maude was in the
room.
why! how soon you are up from din
ner, she exclaimed, when he entered.
4 came up on purpose, Maude l want
to speak with you
You are not WE'LL said she, leaving the
window and sitting down near the earl.
what is it?'
'Maude,' he answered. plunging into it
blindfold, 4 am rogue and FOOL
Lady Maude laughed.
Il am. You know all this time that
we-that THAT we-that-that'-(the
earl thnnUht that he could never founder