Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-02-05
r CHAPTER II.

1t was late in the afternoon Of a cloudy, wind,
autumn day, that / left the office Of John Argyll
Esq in his company, to take tea and spend tn,
evening In his family. Twas q law-student in tn,
office, and wss favored with more than ordinary
kindness by him on account eta friendship which
had existed between him and my deceased father
Although 1 did not board at his house, l was al.
most like a member OF the family there was al.
ways q place FIR ne at his table, with liberty tC
come and go as 1 pIs ased. This being Saturday, ]
was expected togo home with him, and stay over
Sunday if liked.
We quicksned our steps 81 few large drops WS9e
sprinkled over us out OF the darkening clouds.
at will be a rsinv night" said Mr.. Argyll.
1T may clear away yets"I said, looking to-
ward a rift In the west, through which the de-
Ginning sun was pouring g crimson stream. He
shook his head doubtfully and we hurried up the
dreuehing.
Entering tbs parlors, We found no one but James,
a nephew Of Mr.. Argyll, a young man Of about my
own age, ~lOunging upon q sofa.
Where are the girlsf"
"They haven't descended from the heavenly re
gions yet, uncle"
Dressing themselves to death, I sIpest-lt'G
Saturday evening, I remember, - smiled the indul-
gent father, passing on into the library.
sat down blythe west window, and looked ont at
the coming storm. 1 did not like James Argyll much
nor he me; SO that as much as We were thrown
together, our intercourse continued constrained.
On this occasion, however, he seemed in excellent
spirits, persisting In talking on all kinds Of indif-
ferent subjects despite Of my brief replies. l was
wondering when Eleanor would make her appear
Al last she came. heard her silk dress rustic
down the stairs, and my eyes were upon her when
she entered the room. She was dressed with unu-
sual care, and her face wore q brilliant, expeotHnt
smile. The smile was for neither Of us. Perhaps
James thought Of III am surs I did, with secret
sunering-with a sharp pang which / was ashamed
Of, and fought inwardly TO conquer.
Presently she came to the window, and as she
stood by my side, q burst Of glory streamed through
the fast-closing clouds, enveloping her in a golden
atmosphere, tinting her black hair with purple,
flushing her clear checks and the pearls about her
throat. The fragrance Of the rose she wore on LEI
breast mingled with the light for q moment was
thrilled and oyerpoWered but the darb oiue eyes
were not looking on me-they were regarding Al
"How provoking that it should rain tonight"
she said, and as the slight cloud of vacation swept
over her face, the blaekness Of night closed over tne
CLEAN Of sunset, so suddenly thAt We could haroly
1.-THE rain viii not keep NorslAnd away" / an.
swered.
'.Of course not-but I don't want him to get
wet walking up from the depot and Billy has put
up the carriage in view OF the storm"
At that moment q wild gust. OF wind smote the
house 20 that it shook, and tbs rain came down
with a roar that was deahning. Eleanor rung for
I'VE need not have troubled ourselves to wear
our new dresses pouted harry, the younger sis
ter, who had followed Eleanor down stairs ; "thers
will be nobody here Tonight"
Both James and myself objected to beiAg dubbed
nobody. The willful young beauty said all the gay
thugs she pleased, telling rs she certainly should
not have worn her blue silk, nor pulled hsr hair
for US
-"Nor for Henry MorelAnd either-he never looks
at me after the first minute. Engaged people are
so stupid. l wish he and Eleanor would make an
end of it. I I'm ever going to be bridesmaid, 1
want to be-"
% And a clear field a~fterward, Miss Molly, - Jest
e heT cousin. fCome ! play that new polka for mel
"You couldn't hear it III did. The rain is play
ing a polka this even ng, and the wind il dancing
to it."
He laughed loudly-mors loudly than the idle
fancy warranted.
"Iet US see If we can not make more noise than
the storm" he said, going to the piano and thump-
ing cut the most thunderous piece that he could
recall. l was not a musician, but 1t seemed to me
there were more diseords than the law OF melody
allowed; and Mary put her hands over her ears,
and ran away to the other end of the room.
For tbs next half-hour the rain came down in
wide sheets, Tapping against the windows, as the
at the piano, and Eleanor moved r~estleesly about,
stealing glances, now and then, 1T her tiny watch.
All at once there occurred one Of those pauses
which precedes the fresh outbreaking of . storm
as if startled by the sudden lull, James Argyll
paused in his playing Just then the shrill whistle
of the locomotive pierced the silence with more
than usual power, as the evening train swept aound
the curve of the hill net q quarter Of q mile away,
and rushed on into the depot in the lower part Of
the village.
There is something unearthly in the scream Of
Ile kteAm-ehKics especially N0cu 0cAIQ ht ulAlLs
He seems like a ~sentient thing, with a will of his
own, unbending and irresistible and his cry is
and defiant. This night 1t rose upon
the storm prolonged and doleful. l know not how
it sounded to the others, but to ne, whose fmagi-
nation was already wrought upon by the tempest
by the presence of the woman ! hopelessly
loved, it came with an effect perfectly overwhelm-
ing; it filled the air, even the pcrfumed, Light
ed air of the parlor, full Of q dismal wall.
1t threatened-I know not what. 1t warned
against some strange, unseen disaster. Then 1t
sunk into . hopeless cry, so full Of mortal anguish,
that / involuntarily put my fingers to my ears.
for he started from the piano-stooi, walked twice
or thrice across the floor, then flung himself again
upon the sofa, and for q long time sat with his eyes
shaded, neither speaking nor stirring.
Eleanor, with maiden artihes, took up e book,
and composed herself to pretend to read she would
not have her lover to know that she had been so
restless while awaiting his coming. Only Mary
huttered about like . humming bird, diving into
the sweets of things, the music, the flowers, what
ever had honey In it and teasing me in the inter-
walls.
1 have said that I loved Eleanor. Ibid, secretly,
in silence and regret, against my judgment and
will, and because l could not holp it. l was gu to
certain that James loved her also, and ! felt sorry
for him sympathy was taught me by my own suf.
ferings, though ! had never felt attracted toward
his character. He seemed to me to be rather sui
len in temper, as well as selfish and then again l
reproached myself for Observation-Disclosures II miGAt
have been his circumstances which rendered him
mOrose-he was dependent upon his uncle-and bis
unhappiness which made him appear unamiable.
I loved, without . particle Of hope. Eleanor
was engaged to q young gentleman In every way
worthy Of her Of fine demeaDor, high social POSI-
ton, and unblemished moral character. As much
as her many admirers may have enyied Henry
Moreland, they could net dislike him. To see the
young couple together was to feel that theirs would
be one of those matches made in heayen'-in age,
character, worldly circumstances, beauty and cul-
tivation there was = rare correspondence.