The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1865-11-16
NO 10.

III "ttiet, anu Caught Her Ill MS arms.
One moment her head lay against his
his, and in that little moment he knew
What it sometimes takes years to teach
man-kneW that out of all the world
she was one woman to fill his soul.
She drew herself away from him half
rudeiy, and her eyes met his. They said
to him, plainly as words could have
done, You are nothing to me, and you
never will be -
She bowed haughtily, gathered up her
skirts, and swept into the house. Helen
laughed.
You are sworn enemies as quick as
| this, Max !" she said.
But Max did not reply-only turned
on his heel and sauntered into the CAR
den. A knot Of scarlet ribbon from her
throat had caught in his watch guard.
He gathered it up in his hand, held it a
moment, and then hid it in his bosom.
Something she had worn! And then
he hated himself for the fierce tender
ness Of his mood, and f1inging the pref
ty ornament on the ground, he set his
heel upon it.
After that, ofcourse, he met Miss Leach
daily: She was coldly polite, and he
took his cue from her. She never warm
eel into life and animation by his side
poems as only he could read them-nev-
err listened when he told startling adven-
lures which had befallen him meath
other slSies--in short, as far as possible
she completely ignored his existence.
Oak LeVison was her constant atten-
dant. To him she was affable and gra-
cious. Max watched her closely. Every
movement of hers possessed for him
subtle interest. He watched in vain for
any trace of genuine emotion. Her feel
ings, If she had any, were scaled away
from human vision. He wondered
sometimes if she were not beautiful
statue endowed with breath and desti-
tute of feeling.
One day he came upon her suddenly
i'll the woods. She was sitting on
grassy 1noll-something clutched tight
ly in her hand. Max looked clz sely,
and saw little cluster of wood violets.
Helen might have been gratified, had
she been there, for there were tears in
her eyes and on her cheeks.
She put the flowers to her lips, kissing
them passionately.
.sOh, my mother! my mother!" she
cried; they laid them on your bosom
in the shadow of the coffin! They went
with you'll, alas! was left behindv'
Max quivered; his heart swelled up
he had thought feelingless and cold; this
the nature which was to be wasted on
Oak LevisOn--a horse-racing, Wine-lov-
ing vulgaran.
He took hasty step forward
Miss Leach perceived him, and rose,
pale and cold.
"Ah, Mr.. Tremaine 2" her very tone
was repulse.
Max felt chilled, in spite of himself;
he must say something very common
place.
g 1t is beautiful here"
-" Rather,o she answered sarcastically
:" | hope, you will enjoy it," She gath;
cred her shawl around her, and turned
away. He sprang after her. ''Miss
Leach, pardon nee, if | have offended
you.o
offended mc?' she lifted her cool
eyes to his. 81 do not understand YOU.
think we are not sufficiently acquaint-
cd to speak of Offences"
s" And are we never to be ?" he began
passionately; but her look Of naughty
surprise checked him. Excuse me-"
he said, cody; "may | escort you home"
"Thank you, no; take these wood
land walks for the sake of being alone"
He turned abruptly and walked off in
the opposite direction-his face very
hartl-his teeth set tightly-he would
never stoop to her again. He said it
over hoarsely to himself; and it was
worth something, for a Tremaine never
broke a vow.
Days passed, and the summer was
drawing to !. close. Helen fretted con-
stantly over the perfect Indifference of
Josephine and Max toward each other,
but after while she ceased to trouble
herself, and left them to their moods.
Two or three days before Max was to
return to the city, the party at Elmcroft
went to Stone Mountain blackberrying.
Max went off by himself in search Of
better picking, and lost in thought, he
did not heed the lapse of time until the
heat of the sun warned him that it was
time to repair to the rendezvous to par
take of refreshments He took up his
basket to hurry away, when he was ar
rested by the sound of light footstep
on the other side of the thicket, and part
ing the branches he saw Miss Leach
alone. She seated herself on fiat rock,
and leaned her head on her hand. She
looked pale and dispirited.