, 1865-12-26
CHAPTER Y.
THE last uHCn4tE FfHaT.

THE LAST DECOSE FtRsT.
a very brief time after this Important oc-
currencc found nc in Wardyilel. I had heard
that Evelyn had discarded Willis Green, (he
was too young for her now and was about
to be muried to q leading Phlladelphian, .
widower, who had come 10 the village on
business connected with cotton. would not
believe it. "Cotton,r' money "wldow-
ers,'' distinguished position"--whnt had they
to do with SO beautiful and proud creature,
No! was too late Iwou1d ut least strive
galinntly for the prize. So made haste to
Wardville.
1t was rosy evening ID the last Of May
that approached tho house Of the Wards, to
which I had been that day Invited by the
hotel, ignoring my past In view Of ms pres
ent- The sun had sunk from view, but bis
warm light still deluged The garden, which lay
ut one side, spot Of perfume nn1 bloom, as
walked up the avenue leading to the por-
t1co., Looking nj this garden with beating
heart, to calm myself with It's quiet, l saw
4 youur lady, IN = white dsess, sitting IN a
1t Eyelyns Yes! Ny henrt throbhed audIbly;
then 4 sndden impulse oyercamc me. Iwalked
quickly along the garden path to the entrance
Of the temple. Hearing my step, she turned,
More beautiful than eycr the same deep blue
eyes, the eame forhead and airpled chin, and
"ASe6 ot EArtS1!ub A04I s~AtL S"4 uiu|A"
rs fresh, as lovely, and (so It seemed) more
gentle and gracious than Of old. The chilling
Gauteur had oil melted from her department.
Oh, joy the rosy smile and blush which
rIppled over her face, sent tho first delicious
foretaste Of my happiness 70 my eager soul.
"Mr. Ballaer1, now, not Maurice she said,
yery eott aud low, holding cut her hand, md
looking On The gfound.
"Do rot be 80 kind to mel I said, "or
eEn - e{~ ~
loved you 60 1ong-so many ytars-so deeply,
that your firsl smile will bring my love down
in q torrent to oyerEhelm you" was not
looking at her now, for had sunk to my
knees, and had my face bowed upon her hands,
Evelyn, DO l dare hope that 5ou are Listen
ing 10 mes"
There was m effort to withdraw her hands !;
looked up: her face was pale, and the tears
were running down her checks.
alt Is not Eyesyu." she said, "lt Is little
Gracie.' Did you not know me 7"
sprung up, looking Ike fool, I dare say.
Ibid you not know s's that Evelyn is to be
Then, when did not answer, with q trem.
Bic Of the lip
II an sorry for you, Maurice; indeed, in
decd ANIL
But I was not sory for myself. +
stood step OF two apart, my face turned
away. The pain, the despair pictured upon
it could not endure shonld be read even by
those soft eyes. ! did not heed, I scarcely
| heard those sweet, unscllsh word&-"I am
sorry for you, Maurice indeed, indeed am.''
Those other words {" Evelyn Is to be married
tomorrow" rnng In my ears till everything
grew dark about me.
Presently I heard voices and laughter.
Gay, rippling tones, which knew too well,
sounded In the direction Of tho house. 1
looked and saw Evelyn stepping from an open
window Into the garden, followed by the man
who was to become her husband on the NOR.
row. He was bald, fat, 'sand forty''-but be
haa the air Of a man Of the world+ and Of q
contented With him, as she hung upon his
arm, smiling at Ills remarks. -...
They came directly toward the summer-