The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-11-15

IA 10 1ooo.
with siekening dread to meet the care
less. estran@ed glance of the dark eyes
that had looked into mine full of love.
It seemed that Mark not unfrequent-
ly accompanied Milly part OF the way
home; but he never came near enough
to our cottage for me to catch even the
most distant glimpse Of him, ana a1y
little sister had somehow ceased to talk
Of him after the first. So, although L
still knew that he staid at the iollies,
he might almostas we'll have been across
the wide ocean as far as | was concerned.
And yet-oh, no. the sense of his pres
ence seemed borne to me upon every
breath Of the sweet summer air that
floated into my room, | could not sleep
at night, nor rest calmly by day, and
often, when Milly sat with her friend,
| used to wander out, scarce needing
where [ went, impatient only OF rest.
One day, when this terrible yearning
was strong upon me, took my sketch
ing materials with me, from force OF
habit, and set out to walk to q pretty
wood at some distance. The cool, green
fragrance Of the leafy shadows was CRATE
fuI after the glazing sunshine, and sat
down 10 rest where they felt coolest.
merry voices close at hand startled me,
and, not willing to see who the speak
ers were, got up and fed swiftly down
the darkest aud most tangled paths that
braa6Aed away into the heart Of the
wood. | soon let the merry voices far
behind me, and slaclSening my walk, |
wandered on, dreamy and absorbed as
ever, TIL suddenly turning into another
path, / saw what caused HE to stand
still and forget everything but what my
eyes looked upon. Mark Sutherland.
Yes, Mark, older. darker, thinner, but
Mark himself. All, how the green
marshes and the winding sea wall and
the lark singing far up iii the SKY, all
iioated before my eyes, as saw the
downward bend of his stately head look
into the face beside him-the face that
looked up into his, with those candid
blue eyes, and q smile upon the softpar-
ted lips. The smile seemed to reflect
itself upon Marks grave face for an
instant, and then he took UP little
hand lying en- his arm and kissed It
tenderly. I looked, no longer; erept
dreadful sullen despair, [ crept away
and went home. For knew the can
did blue eyes, the sweet smile, and the
floating golden hair, they We're my Sis
ter Milly3s. Oh, had not done enough?
Had | not sacrificed enough? Was my
cupnot yet so full but that this bitter
drop must be added to its overflow.
So | cried in my anguish, and It WAS
long before better thoughts came to HE,
or that coming | could hold them firm
ly and take comfort. But by-and-by /
rose from where had flung myseifdoWn
and sat by the window to watch for
Milly. She came along presently, in
the quiet evening light, and [ looked at
her With my eyes freshly opened. /
had never yet ceased to think Of her as
q child, realized in q moment, how
that child was a woman. / looked at
the beautiful, fresh, young face, and IN
voluntarily glanced at the reflection OF
my own IN the mirror opposite. / new
er could have beenin my best days what
AIilly WAS; and noW-i turned away
with sigh from the image Of that faded
woman, with pale lips and weary dark
eyes.
BIiily came in the next instant, threw
off her hat, and coming up beside me
toealS my face between her two soft
hands, looked into it tenderly for a min
ute, then kissed me, and set down with
her afin around me.
"But, my dear have something to
tell, she began with strange tremble
in her voice, though she was smiling too;
ga wonderful thing"
"Don't you think I would ever guess
ii, MitIy dear" l asked, pressing the
little one to my throbbing breast
"You never could; and yet how youl
heart is beatlng!n she said, looking UP
at me timidly; 81 believe you really do. -
Then sinking her face down to my
shoulder once more she added almost
in whisper, chester, he told ne toasE
you whether you would see him to=lnor'
row.
Gle, means Mr.. sutherland, o
course
,ff course, iicster, dc YOU mean E
say Yesi.'a asked Miily, stealing staosh
q q those tiinifi CHANCES al lffe.
M. yes Will go with youfs, AillS
dear
GOOD bless you IIesteri my darling